‘God Save the King’ doesn’t fall from Jamaican lips so easily. Soon we’ll be a republic | Barbara Blake-Hannah

Barbados beat us to it, but this week our prime minister made throwing off the colonial yoke a top priority. It won't be easy, but watch this space

Britain, take note. A post-Elizabethan era is taking shape here in Jamaica. And it looks like a republic. The government will be moving with haste and alacrity towards transforming Jamaica into a republic," said our prime minister, Andrew Holness, on Monday. Please move ahead with speed," he urged his minister of constitutional affairs. If there are obstacles, the government will do whatever it takes.

But then, the signs have long been there. Little or no notice was taken in Jamaica of the Queen's jubilee last year. There was no bunting, no official party at King's House. The main celebration was a big party celebrating a different jubilee - the 50th anniversary of The Harder They Come, the Jamaican feature film that introduced reggae and Rastafari culture to the world. But our most notable celebrations in 2022 honoured the year in which Jamaica also celebrated 60 years of independence from British colonial rule, with many activities, memorials and galas honouring that national history.

Barbara Blake-Hannah is an anti-racism activist and a former TV broadcaster in Britain