JAMAICA-PM affirms commitment to republic status for Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—Prime Minister Andrew Holness assures citizens that the Government is committed to pursuing Jamaica’s transition to a Republic by the people’s wishes. 

He emphasized the democratic process of the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC), which has diligently gathered the views of citizens across the island. The repeated indication from opinion polls that most Jamaicans desire a Republican form of Government underscores the importance of public participation in this transition.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of consensus, urging the Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte, and members of the CRC to strive for it with the Opposition. This approach instills hope and optimism that the reform process can be successfully concluded through mutual understanding and agreement.

“We have undertaken a major national effort to reform our Constitution and to move towards a Republic. The status now is that we do not have a consensus with the Opposition, but I do not see that as a failure or an end to the process. I see it as part of the process,” he said.

“I want to reassure the people of Jamaica, especially those who want to see Jamaica become a Republic in their lifetime, that all is not lost, that the Government is still going to pursue it to its logical conclusion.”

The Prime Minister’s comments follow the decision of the Opposition representatives on the CRC, who decided to wait to sign off on the Committee’s report until concerns raised about the reform process are resolved.

Holness said avenues of communication must be opened with the Opposition, as the agreement is critical in securing the two-thirds majority votes needed in both Houses of Parliament for constitutional reform.

In addition, he noted that for the referendum for Jamaica to become a republic to be successful, both parties “would have to go to the people as one.”

In the coming weeks, the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs will launch a public education campaign to inform the public about the Committee’s recommendations.