Jamaica would more than likely adopt the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) if it does away with the UK based Privy Council as its final appellate court.
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Dr. Nadeen Spence is a member of the Constitutional Reform Committee
By Nakinskie Robinson
Civil society representative on the Constitutional Reform Committee Dr. Nadeen Spence is disagreeing with constitutional attorney Dr. Lloyd Barnett's position that greater public education on the country adopting the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final court of appeal would have seen a larger percentage of Jamaicans welcoming the move.
The figures from the latest RJRGLEANER Don Anderson poll suggest that 58.9 per cent of those polled believe the country should do away with the UK based Privy Council, while 23 per cent of respondents were in favour of a retention.
Another 18.1 per cent say they are unsure.
The poll was conducted among 1,010 people across Jamaica from August 30 to September 14. It has a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent.
Speaking with the Gleaner, Mr. Barnett expressed discontent with the almost 60% of respondents who agreed to move away from the UK based Privy Council, arguing that the number should have been higher.
But Dr. Spence argues that increased public awareness on this aspect of the constitutional reform process would not have resulted in an increase in support for the CCJ.
She believes the results indicate a decisive stance by citizens, more than 20 per cent of whom are not in favour of the CCJ.
"I don't think they hold that view out of ignorance. I think they hold that view because it's something that they believe in and would like to see. Yesterday, I was having a conversation with two gentleman at the university who very much hold that position that we should stay with the British Privy Council," she asserted.
"I think there are people who still hold that view and have come to that position for whatever reason," she argued, adding that the matter has already been adequately ventilated, so it is unclear whether any further public education would have changed the numbers.
Dr. Spence contended that there are other matters outside of the Privy Council to CCJ move which require greater public awareness.
The selection of a president, she suggested, is one such issue where it clear there is still a lack of understanding among the public about the options available.
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