Golding claims gov't lacks intent to seek consensus on constitutional reform issues

By Kimone Witter    

 

Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding is charging that there is a lack of intent on the part of the government to seek consensus on critical issues in the proposed reform of the Jamaican Constitution.

 

Mr. Golding says he came to this conclusion based on the failure of Co-Chairperson of the CRC, Marlene Malahoo Forte, to circulate a document among members that highlights several issues of significant concern in the committee's report.

 

He says, instead, Mrs. Malahoo Forte submitted the CRC's Report to the Cabinet on Monday, without giving committee members the opportunity to review and address these serious and legitimate concerns of the Opposition.

 

Addressing a media briefing Tuesday morning, Mr. Golding said the government has now sought to shift blame to the opposition. 

 

"The public should not be hoodwinked by what is being said in the media today. We have been responsible. We have sought to participate genuinely in the process. We have very real concerns about some of the contents of the report, and we have a fundamental issue, which is at the core of our party's philosophy, which needs to be addressed. And we need to hear from the Prime Minister if we're to move forward together," he asserted. 

 

The CRC report does not have the signatures of opposition representatives on the committee after Mr. Golding indicated that the transition from the British Monarch as Jamaica's head of state should coincide with a move away from the Privy Council as the final Court of Appeal.

 

Constitutional expert Dr. Lloyd Barnett, speaking today on The Morning Agenda, on Power 106, said he and other members of the Constitutional Reform Committee have recommended that the two political parties make a concerted effort to reach consensus. 

 

"Because of the nature of our constitutional arrangements, then it is important that the Cabinet should be in consultation with the opposition, because the need for consensus is critical to the success of the project. And therefore, in view of the fact that in this case, the Leader of the Opposition has expressed some views on the report, then further discussions of those matters raised by the Leader of the Opposition is necessary," he suggested. 

 

 

In the meantime, Opposition Leader Mark Golding has pulled 16 clauses from the Constitutional Reform Committee report for comment.

 

He said it should be clearly stated that the official name of Jamaica as a State is not to be changed to the Republic of Jamaica but is to remain as Jamaica.

 

The proposed formula for the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to achieve consensus on the choice of President has also not found favour with Mr. Golding.

 

He said any solution which enables the President to be approved via a simple majority vote of both Houses of Parliament effectively incentivises the prime minister to choose someone who he or she perceives as favouring his or her party.

 

Mr. Golding is also not in support of the proposal for appointing an interim President to act in a temporary vacancy.

 

Changes relating to the composition of the Senate and extension of the Parliamentary term beyond five years are also being opposed.

 

On other issues, Mr. Golding has sought clarity from the Constitutional Reform Committee.

 

JLP disappointed                                         

 

The Jamaica Labour Party has expressed disappointment with the refusal of the People's National Party to sign the report of the Constitutional Reform Committee.

 

Member of the JLP's Public Relations Council, Senator Sherene Golding Campbell, says despite significant progress made in acting on widespread public sentiment that Jamaica should become a republic, PNP President Mark Golding has chosen to potentially derail the process by making demands at the proverbial eleventh hour.

 

Senator Golding Campbell said the JLP is hopeful that the PNP will allow the agreed consensual process to continue.