The question of whether Jamaica should become a republic and follow other Caribbean countries is a hot topic. Right now, neither fish nor fowl approach persists and there are calls for greater clarity.

The People’s National Party representatives on the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC), Senator Donna Scott-Mottley and Member of Parliament Anthony Hylton, have expressed support for the proposed method of appointment of the President as Head of State for the Republic of Jamaica. 

The representatives said, however, they accepted that further details remained unresolved within the committee, including the way the vote should be taken in Parliament.

They emphasised that the position of the People’s National Party is that the vote should be taken in a manner which reflects the present constitutional arrangements, that is, two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives and two-thirds of the members of the Senate.

The Party’s position came in a statement today on the innovation being recommended by the Committee first to the Cabinet and ultimately to the people of Jamaica to decide in a referendum.

The PNP representatives stated, “We join the consensus position on the need to put in place a process which upholds the dignity of the high office and to convey the unity of the persons in selecting a President of the Republic of Jamaica.”

The representatives said they applauded the approach of the Committee in the deliberations surrounding issues with a view to making recommendations on which the public will have an opportunity to consider and decide.