The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP), participated in Vale Royal Talks on Sunday (February 19), intending to resolve critical issues facing the nation.

Hosted by the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches, the talks centred on the important topics of National Security and Constitutional Reform, and lasted for three hours.

In a joint communique, the JLP and PNP delegations noted that the Vale Royal Talks have become a regular part of Jamaica’s democratic institutional tradition and have been helpful in creating a free space for political parties to discuss the nation’s most pressing issues.

In his opening statement, Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed his optimism that the talks would foster greater consensus on challenging national issues. He also noted that the previous discussions were successful in achieving some understanding of critical national matters.

Holness said: “We may not always be able to address these critical issues and ventilate them properly in Parliament, but we can ventilate them here at the political level.”

He added: “These talks have now become a part of Jamaica’s democratic institutional tradition and they have been very useful for the political parties to find space which is created for discussions under the Chatham House rules. It contributes positively to the building of a modern positive political culture and gives us a free space to talk about the important issues of the country.

“We intend to utilise the talks to advance the resolution of the contentious issues that divide us in the interest of the people of Jamaica. The Vale Royal Talks is a signal to the country that their political leaders maintain an open dialogue to resolve the major issues that concern them.”

Mark Golding, leader of the Opposition and president of the PNP, highlighted the importance of resolving differences and conducting discussions in a manner that underpins national development and strengthens democracy. Both leaders expressed gratitude to the church for hosting the talks and thanked members of the clergy for their blessing of the proceedings.

Golding said: “The fact that there may be disagreement on some issues should not be regarded as hindrance to dialogue, national unity and effective governance. It is a question of how we resolve those differences, and the manner in which we conduct ourselves in bringing our points of view forward, that I think is important. By deliberately embracing this approach, the population can learn from our leaders how to resolve issues where there is not necessarily agreement.”

He added: “We have a duty to the public to hold the government to account and to represent an alternative view as to how the nation should move forward. The manner in which we do that is very important because it needs to underpin national development and be part of a positive thrust towards stronger nationhood and deepening our democracy rather, than something that undermines progress.”

The JLP’s delegation included Holness (party leader), Dr Horace Chang (General Secretary), Robert Montague (Chairman), Marlene Malahoo Forte, and Robert Nesta Morgan (chairman of the JLP’s PR Committee).

The PNP’s delegation included Golding, Dr Angela Brown Burke (Chairman), Dr Dayton Campbell (General Secretary), Senator Peter Bunting, and Senator Donna Scott Mottley.

The discussions were reportedly frank and open, with both sides committed to reaching a consensus and obtaining a better understanding from which to move forward.