Patterson urges Jamaicans to reject ceremonial president

 

With the government seeking to transition Jamaica to a republic, former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has expressed reservations about a ceremonial president to replace the British monarch as head of state.  

 

Mr. Patterson says Jamaicans should reject a ceremonial head of state, which he describes as a surrogate or puppet of the prime minister.

 

Calling the proposal for a ceremonial president "abhorrent", the former Prime Minister said he would be the first to protest in the streets, if the Constitutional (Amendment) (Republic) Bill becomes law with such a provision. 

 

He was addressing an audience at a symposium, entitled "Learning from History", in St. James on Thursday night.

 

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has said the People's National Party prefers an executive president but would not challenge the government's desire for a ceremonial head of state.

 

A Joint Select Committee of Parliament is considering the Constitution Amendment Republic Act, 2024. 

 

Meanwhile, Mr. Patterson also expressed concerns about the role a ceremonial president would play in the future when appointing commissioners to the Integrity Commission.

 

Appointments to the Integrity Commission are currently done by the Governor General after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. 

 

"It is that ability or capacity to be impartial which has caused several of us to move from being resolute for an executive president to being prepared to accept, for a time, a ceremonial-plus [president]. So that we are watching and we are waiting and we are listening, and we hope that there is not going to be the hijacking of those who are discharging their duties, regardless of where their findings have led," the former prime minister cautioned. 

 

The seven-year terms for two commissioners of the Integrity Commissioner – Chairman, retired Justice Seymour Panton and Eric Crawford – will end this month.

 

Mr. Patterson said members of the Integrity Commission must have the protection of secure tenure, as well as the authority and resources to pursue any semblance of corruption regardless of where their findings may lead.