Opposition Spokesperson on Justice, Zuleika Jess, MP, has rejected recent claims by Government representatives that the Opposition is delaying Jamaica’s transition to a republic, describing those assertions as an attempt to shift responsibility for a process that has stalled because of the Government’s failure to engage in meaningful bipartisan dialogue.

“The Opposition’s position has been clear and consistent from the outset,” Jess said. “We support Jamaica becoming a republic, but we also believe this generation has the opportunity and the responsibility to complete the work of full decolonisation.”

She noted that the Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, MP, wrote to Prime Minister Andrew Holness in October last year requesting a meeting to discuss a bipartisan pathway for advancing constitutional reform. Despite the constitutional reality that these reforms require bipartisan support, that meeting is yet to be scheduled.

“The Government cannot refuse to engage the Opposition and then accuse the Opposition of causing the delay. Constitutional reform cannot succeed without cooperation, and cooperation begins with dialogue.”

Jess said the Opposition remains firmly of the view that replacing the British Monarch as Jamaica’s Head of State while retaining the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the country’s final appellate court would leave Jamaica’s decolonisation unfinished.

“It is difficult to justify ending one constitutional relationship with the British Crown while preserving another. The Privy Council remains, in practical terms, beyond the reach of the overwhelming majority of Jamaicans. Our constitutional evolution should leave us with institutions that are genuinely accessible to our people.”

She explained that the Opposition’s preferred approach is for Parliament to enact the constitutional changes establishing a Jamaican Head of State and adopting the Caribbean Court of Justice as Jamaica’s final appellate court together, followed by the constitutionally required referendum.

While acknowledging that a phased approach could be considered, Jess stressed that this would only be acceptable where there is a clear and agreed national roadmap to full decolonisation, beginning with the adoption of the CCJ.

The Opposition Spokesperson also emphasised that the constitutional reform process must address other important governance issues, including the method of appointing the President, the proposed composition and voting arrangements of the Senate, term limits, fixed election dates, recall and impeachment mechanisms for parliamentarians, reforms to strengthen the independence of the Speaker of the House, and the restoration of the longstanding convention that Opposition members chair parliamentary oversight committees.

“These are constitutional questions that deserve careful consideration, wide public education and meaningful consultation. Jamaicans should expect reforms that strengthen our democracy, not simply changes that are politically convenient.”

Jess urged the Government to move away from public accusations and instead engage the Opposition in the genuine discussions that constitutional reform demands.

“Jamaica deserves a constitutional reform that commands broad national support. The Leader of the Opposition has already extended his hand by requesting a meeting with the Prime Minister. The Government should accept that invitation so that together we can complete Jamaica’s journey to full decolonisation.”