Gov't, opposition urged to resume Vale Royal talks amid impasse on constitutional reform

By Kimone Witter    

 

The government and opposition are being urged to reconvene Vale Royal talks which could be an avenue for resolving the impasse on the approach to the reform of the Constitution.

 

The parties held their first discussion under the resumed talks on February 19 last year, focusing the three-hour discussion on issues of national security and constitutional reform.

 

Following the meeting, which was facilitated by the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness pledged to ensure continuation of the talks, which had stalled for some time.

 

But, it appears the talks have again stalled.

 

Constitutional expert Dr. Lloyd Barnett says it was hoped that the Vale Royal talks would have served as a form of mediation to reach consensus on how to remove the country from its colonial trappings related to the head of state, final appellate court and the Constitution.

 

"There were proposals for the Vale Royal meetings to be reconvened to deal specifically with this problem. I think there was an attempt, but it has not come off; it has failed. At the end of the day, as we say, we are seeking consensus, and anything that can produce consensus is worthy to pursue. The problem, of course, is that you can't get consensus unless you start talking, and we are not hearing from the government party what is their objection to the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice), for instance," Dr. Barnett pointed out. 

 

He was speaking Thursday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106.