HOLD IT, MR PRIME MINISTER! Let us talk more about making Barbados a republic.

Opposition Leader Clyde Mascoll questioned the haste with which Barbados was being moved to republican status after a lag of five years. {{more}}

While reiterating his party’s support, the Democratic Labour Party leader again called for dialogue with the people on the issue.

“Republican status would represent the highest fulfilment of our independence as a people, but there are issues to be resolved,” he said.

Former Opposition Leader David Thompson charged that Arthur was railroading the country into republican status, the St John MP said: “The Government is trying to ram the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) down the throats of Barbadians without adequate discussion and consultation.