The Editor, Sir:

I am surprised at Dr Ashley's letter in The Gleaner. As an attorney-at-law, he has actually thrown more confusion into the minds of the less properly informed citizens. He rightly stated the areas of the Jamaican Constitution that refer to foreign powers and commonwealth citizens but failed to explain the common factor defining commonwealth citizenship and I am sure he is conversant with the classification.

However, it is not difficult to understand; this classification stems from the fact that the ultimate head of state for Jamaica is the British monarch who is head of the British Commonwealth of Nations (its full title); that is the reason for Jamaica to have a governor general who is the local representative of the British monarch, presently Queen Elizabeth 11.

Once a colony

A commonwealth country is defined as a country (state) that was once a colony or protectorate of Britain which, after independence, chose to remain within that group of nations. A country is free to leave the group if it so wishes, as did Pakistan a few years ago, but applied to return and was accepted. (Benefits or not from belonging I leave with individual governments).

It would seem a good idea for the member of parliament with responsibility for foreign affairs or the prime minister explaining to the nation the term commonwealth citizens as it now is, and schools, in their history, civic and social instructions, impart this knowledge to students. It might not have been seen as of any importance before, but it would have alleviated the confusion that now exists on this issue.

I am, etc.,

LES FRANCIS

ashfran2@yahoo.com

Mandeville

Via Go-Jamaica