Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, says he has instructed representatives on the Constitutional
Reform Committee (CRC) not to sign off on the committee’s report until the Government has responded to concerns raised by the Opposition.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Andrew Holness dated May 7, Golding raised concerns about the direction being pursued in Jamaica’s transition to republic status.

“In our brief meeting behind the Speaker’s Chair in Gordon House on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, I indicated that the move away from the British Monarch as our Head of State should coincide with the move away from the British Monarch’s Court in London to the Caribbean Court of Justice as our Final Court of Appeal, so as to achieve a seamless transition to full decolonization rather than a piecemeal, phased approach with no guarantee of its attainment. I pointed out that this is a fundamental issue for us, and let me know the Government’s position,” the Opposition leader said.

Golding noted that he is looking forward to a response from the Prime Minister on the matter.

Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte says the CRC has signed off on the recommendations for proposed changes to the Constitution, and the next step is to go to Parliament for tabling.

However, Golding said he was provided with a copy of the final report on Wednesday, May 8, on a restricted basis.

He says he will be submitting his comments on other aspects of the report to the responsible Minister for the consideration of the committee.