(Jamaica Gleaner) The Holness administration says it will be taking “other steps” to foster cross-party dialogue on Jamaica’s push to become a republic amid further confirmation that deadlock between the country’s two main political parties could derail another attempt to replace the British monarch as Jamaica’s head of state.
“Other steps will be taken to have the cross-aisle conversation,” said Constitutional Affairs Minister Marlene Malahoo Forte after delivering an update on the reform process in the House of Representatives.
That comment followed criticisms from Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s claim that the Government has not pursued aggressive consultations with the People’s National Party (PNP).
“This is a situation where one hand, simply, cannot clap, and without the support of this side, this process is going nowhere. And we have put on the table issues of real concern and unless those are addressed, our support is not guaranteed,” he said, likely referencing the fact that the monarch cannot be removed without its support in Parliament.
The stalemate largely centres on the status of the United Kingdom’s Privy Council as Jamaica’s final court. The Opposition insists that the court must be removed at the same time that the monarch is being replaced, while the Government has argued that there is no consensus on the issue and the decision on the court is set for a later phase in the reform process.
Malahoo Forte indicated that a Republic of Jamaica bill, which will propose replacing the monarch with a ceremonial Jamaican president as head of state, could be tabled in the House as early as next week. However, she acknowledged that constitutional requirements mean the process is unlikely to conclude before the next general election, due by September 2025.
She explained that removing the monarchy is a deeply entrenched provision in the Constitution, requiring a lengthy process: a three-month wait after tabling the bill before debate, another three months before a vote, two-thirds approval in both Houses of Parliament – including the support of at least one opposition senator – and finally, a referendum.
“Where we are in the life of this Parliament and having regard to the constitutional timelines, the work will not be completed in this Parliament,” Malahoo Forte said. “But in its wisdom, the Constitution allows for the work to be done over the life of more than one Parliament.”
She then appealed to the Opposition.
“At this juncture, it cannot be about how we feel because of where we are in the life of the Parliament. There is still enough time to get it now, and if we give up now, it will be a betrayal of what we hope to achieve and the goals that we have set as a nation,” she said.
The minister added: “Too often we convince ourselves that in order to achieve greatness, we must perform grand, extraordinary things, we must do it all at once, … but this mentality is devastating, and even more devastating in an approach to constitutional reform. If we give up now, it will be a betrayal.”
But Golding argued that the Opposition had “unresolved” concerns arising from the Constitutional Reform Committee’s recommendations published in May. Along with the stance on the Privy Council, Golding had also insisted on impeachment procedures being included in the Constitution.
“These are important matters that will affect whether or not the Opposition is able or willing to support the bills that are being put forward,” Golding said, before claiming there has been a lack of consultation since he shared his concerns almost six months ago.
Malahoo Forte defended the Government’s approach, highlighting the CRC’s role in fostering discussions and implying that opposition members’ absence from meetings may have hindered updates to Golding.
“The lack of update to the leader of the opposition has to be owned by the opposition members on the committee,” she said.
Alongside the republic transition, the bills propose to entrench the Electoral Commission of Jamaica in the Constitution, incorporate national symbols and emblems, clarify Jamaican citizenship criteria, and “strengthen” constitutional amendment procedures.
The minister also outlined proposed changes to timelines to amend ordinary provisions in the Constitution, including reducing the three-month waits for debating and voting to 14 days.
Golding expressed concerns about whether fundamental safeguards, such as the requirement for two-thirds parliamentary majorities, might be removed. But Malahoo Forte reassured him, stating, “There is no proposal to change the vote that is required in respect of any category of provision, so there is no fear that a two-thirds majority will be changed in any way.”
