Dear Editor,
A recent Jamaica Observer editorial referred to the need for Jamaica to have fixed election dates, both for the general and local government elections, and I must publicly admit, without apology, that I wholeheartedly disagree with the
Observer on this recommendation.
Before the last general election, then Opposition Leader Andrew Holness repeatedly spoke on the need for constitutional reform in Jamaica and committed to so doing in a Jamaica Labour Party Government under his leadership. That Holness is now prime minister, it is profoundly important to begin having an informed national debate and discussion on pertinent constitutional issues that are long overdue:
The central constitutional issues are as follows:
1. Whether Jamaica abolishes judicial appeals to the United Kingdom-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council;
2. To abolish the much-talked-about buggery law;
3. Whether the country maintains the Queen as head of the Jamaican State;
4. Fixed general and local government elections date;
5. Fixed terms for all sitting prime ministers;
6. Whether to merge the constitutionally appointed Police Service Commission with the Police Civilian Oversight Body.
I am of the considered viewpoint that, based on the plethora of judicial problems within the country’s court and justice system, spanning many years, the Government should comprehensively identify, address and constructively solve them within a specified time frame.
From my perspective, the prime minister needs to effectively fast-track discussions on these cardinal constitutional issues of major importance for the Jamaican State.
The Government is proposing to merge the Office of the Contractor General, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Integrity Commission, and Corruption Prevention Commission. However, doesn’t these four commissions perform different functions, duties and responsibilities? Why merge them? Practically speaking, it makes no sense to merge them.
Let’s debate the above issues Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and thereafter have a national referendum on them cumulatively.
I wish Holness to think on this: “You’ll have a good, secure life when being alive means more to you than security, love more than money, your freedom more than public or partisan opinion, when the mood of Beethoven’s or Bach’s music becomes the mood of your whole life…when your thinking is in harmony, and no longer in conflict with your feelings…when you let yourself be guided by the thoughts of great sages and no longer by the crimes of great warriors, …when you pay the men and women who teach your children better than the politicians; when truths inspire you and empty formulas repel you; when you communicate with your fellow workers in foreign countries directly, and no longer through diplomats...” Wilhelm Reich, Listen, Little Man!
Robert Dalley, Esq
Public Relations Officer
Jamaica United Local Government Representatives Association
robertdalley1@hotmail.com
A recent Jamaica Observer editorial referred to the need for Jamaica to have fixed election dates, both for the general and local government elections, and I must publicly admit, without apology, that I wholeheartedly disagree with the
Observer on this recommendation.
Before the last general election, then Opposition Leader Andrew Holness repeatedly spoke on the need for constitutional reform in Jamaica and committed to so doing in a Jamaica Labour Party Government under his leadership. That Holness is now prime minister, it is profoundly important to begin having an informed national debate and discussion on pertinent constitutional issues that are long overdue:
The central constitutional issues are as follows:
1. Whether Jamaica abolishes judicial appeals to the United Kingdom-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council;
2. To abolish the much-talked-about buggery law;
3. Whether the country maintains the Queen as head of the Jamaican State;
4. Fixed general and local government elections date;
5. Fixed terms for all sitting prime ministers;
6. Whether to merge the constitutionally appointed Police Service Commission with the Police Civilian Oversight Body.
I am of the considered viewpoint that, based on the plethora of judicial problems within the country’s court and justice system, spanning many years, the Government should comprehensively identify, address and constructively solve them within a specified time frame.
From my perspective, the prime minister needs to effectively fast-track discussions on these cardinal constitutional issues of major importance for the Jamaican State.
The Government is proposing to merge the Office of the Contractor General, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Integrity Commission, and Corruption Prevention Commission. However, doesn’t these four commissions perform different functions, duties and responsibilities? Why merge them? Practically speaking, it makes no sense to merge them.
Let’s debate the above issues Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and thereafter have a national referendum on them cumulatively.
I wish Holness to think on this: “You’ll have a good, secure life when being alive means more to you than security, love more than money, your freedom more than public or partisan opinion, when the mood of Beethoven’s or Bach’s music becomes the mood of your whole life…when your thinking is in harmony, and no longer in conflict with your feelings…when you let yourself be guided by the thoughts of great sages and no longer by the crimes of great warriors, …when you pay the men and women who teach your children better than the politicians; when truths inspire you and empty formulas repel you; when you communicate with your fellow workers in foreign countries directly, and no longer through diplomats...” Wilhelm Reich, Listen, Little Man!
Robert Dalley, Esq
Public Relations Officer
Jamaica United Local Government Representatives Association
robertdalley1@hotmail.com