Ja needs a referendum on the reform process
Published:Thursday | December 5, 2024 | 12:07 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
I am writing with reference to the article, Stalled, published in The Gleaner on December 4. I support a bipartisan dialogue of the process of reform.
It is not legally practical for Jamaica to remove the London-based Privy Council (court) at the same time that the monarch is being replaced, because Jamaica needs a referendum to remove the court and replace it with the Caribbean Court of Justice. However, I strongly support holding a referendum, because a constitution is intended to provide justice for all her citizens.
Barbados’ constitution only required Parliament to abolish the monarch. Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason was on October 12, 2021, jointly nominated by the prime minister and leader of the opposition as a candidate for the first president of Barbados, and was subsequently elected by parliament on October 20. The monarchy was abolished on November 30, 2021.
CARGILL KELLY