Tory MP claims Chinese pressure is behind Barbados decision to remove Queen as head of state

“Some islands seem to be close to swapping a symbolic Queen in Windsor for a real emperor in Beijing," Tom Tugendhat said

Queen Elizabeth II receives Governor-General of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason
PICTURED: Queen Elizabeth II receives Governor-General of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason. (Photo: Getty Images)

A TORY MP has claimed that Chinese pressure caused Barbados’ decision to remove the Queen as head of state.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Tugendhat, said Beijing has attempted to replace London’s historical status and presence across the Caribbean. 

Speaking to The Times, he said: “China has been using infrastructure investment and debt diplomacy as a means of control for a while and it’s coming closer to home for us.”

China-UK relations

Tugendhat shared his concerns during a digitally streamed webinar in collaboration with the Royal United Services Institute.

His speech, titled ‘Reappraising UK foreign policy towards China’, discussed the risks China poses to the Caribbean. 

He said: “British partners have long faced challenges from rivals seeking to undermine our alliance.

“Today we’re seeing it in the Caribbean. Some islands seem to be close to swapping a symbolic Queen in Windsor for a real and demanding emperor in Beijing.

“It’s interesting because of course the UK is really not a monarchy, we’re a republic pretending to be a monarchy. The Crown in Parliament after all is simply a recognition that the people are sovereign.” 

This comes just a week after Barbados’ governor-general, Dame Sandra Mason, announced the island will no longer honour the Queen as its symbolic head, saying: “The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind.”

Barbados gained independence in 1966.

There have been three attempts to ditch the Queen in Barbados in the past 20 years.

Since the move, some have called into question China’s relationship with Barbados.

Comments Form

3 Comments

  1. | Chaka Artwell

    Her Majesty promised to provide “public service.”

    Her Majesty forgot to provide “public Service” for the wealth created by the Queen’s possession in the Caribbean that provided enormous wealth from the forced labour of the African-slaves.
    The reason Barbados has left the Commonwealth is because the Commonwealth has benefited Her Majesty; whilst ignoring today’s Caribbean heritage people; who carry the scars of English slavery.

    Reply

    • | Justin

      What are you talking about? Barbados has NOT left the Commonwealth. Please do some research

      Reply

  2. | Olutoye Walrond

    This guy Tugendhat has got some gall. He must really think we are all brainless rabbits in the Caribbean.
    Let me assure him that we can think for ourselves; and some of have more intellect than him. We have had relations with China for decades. China didn’t just come to town.
    The move to republican status has been discussed for over 40 years.
    What self respecting country wants to have a head of state four thousand miles away, that has no cultural nor ancestral links to it?

    Reply

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