³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Morcea Walker - 12/07/2010

This passport gives me the sense of being British and part of the British Empire. It is a firm confirmation of this and a sense of belonging. The loss of this when Jamaica became independent and my personal battle to become British again.

This passport is a reflection of the British Empire, its role, its growth and eventually its gift of independence.

As a child in Jamaica I was a British subject and was on my mother's British passport when we left Jamaica. Sadly I lost that status when Jamaica claimed independence.

In 1973 when I wanted to take a group of schoolchildren to the United States I was told I was not a British subject any more and either I could have a Jamaican passport or fill in a lot of paperwork to get a British one.

I chose to fill in the paperwork and eventually I received a passport which looked very like my mother's.

It's important that we recognise this as part of the history of Great Britain. My children now have a European passport but would love to have one saying 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'.