Tuvalu may drop Queen as head of state

Published on 11/03/2005 00:29

THE tiny Pacific atoll nation of Tuvalu is considering dropping the Queen as its head of state.

Maatia Toafa, Tuvalu’s prime minister, said yesterday that penny-pinching by its former colonial ruler, Britain, had forced his government to carry out a review of its constitutional ties to the monarchy.

"The people know very well that the monarchy, which is the government of the United Kingdom, is not supporting the office of the governor-general, who is the representative of the Queen," Mr Toafa said.

"I think that is the main concern of the people of Tuvalu concerning our meagre resources," he said, adding that he hopes to hold a referendum by June on replacing the Queen as head of state.

Tuvalu, a nation of 12,000 people, declared independence from Britain in 1978.