Prime Minister Andrew Holness says despite pushbacks from the opposition on signing off on a report from the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) as part of the first phase of Jamaica’s transition to a republic, the government remains committed to consensus.

Holness, while speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (May 15), accused the opposition of back-pedalling on the process of transitioning to a republic.

“My initial assessment of the response of the opposition and I have to say that I am disappointed, but I am not surprised that they would have tried to find every way out of seeing this process through its rightful conclusion,” Holness said.

“I would like to say to the Jamaican people that the efforts that the government has made are not in vain, that we will continue to pursue consensus because the truth is you cannot disturb the constitutional and governance architecture of the country without consensus. That is the reality, and consensus takes time and it takes effort, so I speak to you today as Prime Minister, not as the leader of a political party that is seeking power, but as someone who is genuinely interested in the advancement of our country.”

—PRIME MINISTER ANDREW HOLNESS

He further sought to assure that the constitutional reform process will continue.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding last week instructed the two PNP representatives on the Constitution Reform Committee (CRC), Senator Donna Scott Mottley and Anthony Hylton, not to sign off on a report by the CRC to be tabled in Parliament due to concerns he raised about the need for Jamaica to separate from the Privy Council.

Golding says appealing to the Privy Council attracts exorbitant costs to taxpayers, which he believes is unsustainable. The Opposition said despite raising this concern to the Prime Minister, he is yet to hear the Prime Minister clarify his position on the matter.

Constitutional Affairs Minister Marlene Malahoo Forte said a decision will be made on Jamaica’s final court, however, it will be done in a phased manner.

“The government is very clear that a decision have to be made on the determination of the final court, but we are saying that we are moving in phases. I understand the concerns of the opposition because the truth, is there has been so much talk about constitutional reform and so little action taken to implement what we have agreed on, so I can understand the fear. But Prime Minister Holness has taken the bold step to ensure that the work is approached in a focus way without distractions that happen on a day-to-day basis, with the many other matters that the government contend with,” she said.

She further said the prime minister will respond to the letter sent last week by the opposition leader.

“The [opposition leader] has raised some issues that should be considered by the committee, but before the committee got a chance to respond to those concerns, he went to public with those matters. We do have a draft response on the issues raised, but I sincerely believe notwithstanding him going public with them, the matter must be deliberated within the committee,” the minister said.