A PNP Republic? — No way

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Dear Editor,

The last time I heard a prime minister publicly declare his intention to transform Jamaica's Constitutional Monarchy into a republic I was completely appalled that a prime minister of Jamaica could even think of suggesting such a thing.

This time around I was not so taken aback by the newly reinstated prime minister's announcement at her swearing-in concerning a new constitution. However, I still have my misgivings about this idea of a republican Jamaica. Like Mr Golding before her, Mrs Simpson Miller spoke about completing the "cycle of independence". I was under the impression that we were already independent, as this was guaranteed by the Jamaica Independence Act and also by the Jamaican Constitution which gives us full sovereignty and the right to be recognised in the eyes of the world as being such.

In 1962, when Princess Magaret came to Jamaica to witness our Independence, she also brought with her a message from the Queen stating that "My Government in the United Kingdom has laid down its responsibilities and as such have ceased to have any authority in and over Jamaica".

If that single statement is not an indication of our sovereignty, then what is? The fact of the matter is that Jamaica is already a free, sovereign democracy, and we did not need a republic to reach this stage. So why do we need one now?

Another similarity between her announcement and that of her predecessor is that they both try to make it seem as some sort of national present to ourselves on the Golden Jubilee of our Independence, and so "time come". I differ completely. Fifty years of Independence automatically means 50 years of our existence as a sovereign constitutional monarchy.

This year is also the 60th anniversary (or Diamond Jubilee) of Her Majesty's reign. I would think that this is the opportune time for the nation to get back to its monarchical roots, to reflect on all aspects of our great heritage bequeathed to us by the various groups that were here before us, such as the Amerindians, the Europeans, the Chinese, the Indians and, of course, the Africans, none of whom came here from a republic.

This year is a time for us to be grateful for the fact that we have such a great constitution which serves as guarantor of our liberty and democracy with The Crown at its heart and written by some of the greatest Jamaican statesmen ever, including two national heroes, on behalf of us the people.

Unfortunately, what we have now is group of politicians conspiring to alter our constitution, using the time factor as some sort of justification which leaves me to wonder whether this is going to be the new trend where we are going to find some reason to change our constitution every 50 years.

I must also take issue with the fact that even though the prime minister announced that she plans to remove the Crown from the constitution I have not heard anything about engaging the people in such a discussion or calling a referendum. During the recent election, the People's National Party stressed heavily on "People Power". I wonder where that has disappeared to so fast, now that they have won the election.

If it is that the Government wishes to write a new constitution, then they must do the honourable thing and put the matter to a referendum so the people can choose for themselves whether they wish to have an impartial world-respected monarchy or a partisan patronising politician as their head of state. Then we will see real people power in action. This is not a decision to be made by 63 politicians.

The new Government also campaigned heavily on the platform that the Jamaica Labour Party is dishonest; but seriously speaking, are they any better? The PM took an oath to uphold, preserve and defend our constitution and less than hour later she was speaking of altering the very constitution she swore before the entire nation to preserve. How then can we put our trust in a leader who cannot even hold true to something as sacred as an oath of allegiance or is this another joke to her, similar to when she promised to give us a "Jamaican Queen" in the national leadership debate, only to claim a few days later at a PNP rally that it was a joke?

This Administration has already started to make blunders with statements such as those made by Comrade Portia Simpson Miller. So while I congratulate the PNP on its recent election win, I truly hope that the party will not make this grave error and proceed with this plan without consulting the people. And so I will continue to advocate the preservation and protection of the Jamaica Constitution and for us to reject a politicians' republic.

Jason Green

SirJ_Green@Hotmail.com

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COMMENTS (11)

James St. John
1/13/2012

Mr. Green, you have a most fitting name, and, what's in a name one might ask? You Sir are in the name up to your neck and we did not expect any better from your pen, but if you and others don't get with the programme you all will be left in the wilderness with the others. Can't stop the "Progress".

Un Poco Loco
1/11/2012

I don't really like this letter, as it is very clear it was written by a slave master. Scotland is planning to break away from UK and I am very sure when one of these countries break away then many will follow. The problem with many Jcans is that they don't like changes. The letter was very long and got a lot of rambling, no different from Colonel Gaddafi speech in UN in 09. When Estonia broke away from USSR, Canterbury was in better condition than Estonia. See Estonia now, tourist paradise.

Authnel Reid
1/11/2012

mR. GREEN "THE COMMUNIST ARE COMING"

Authnel Reid
1/11/2012

Some have declared that the Jamaican people are all fools for voting in the PNP. Now, the PNP and the opposition- (surprise is warm to the idea) -want to move away from the monarchy system to a republic and these same people are bawling "CONSULT THE PEOPLE- CONSULT THE PEOPLE" So then, why the need to consult fools? MPs consult with the people and know that they want Jamaica to become a REPUBLIC.

pete delisser
1/11/2012

Missis QUeen has no business in jamaica. I see no problem removing her as head of state, with a Jamaican, we need to cut the excess, and transform Kings House lands into some modern Real Estate property, leaving the old colonial property as some sort of museum..or maybe even hotel. If we have a President, he can live like most of us, somewhere more upscale of course, but not at with all that grandeur. I support cutting ties with monarchy, I dont see their purpose in Jamaica. Thanks much!

PL BOGLE
1/11/2012

Humanity is in the re-making, and every country should be interesting itself in that re-making. Jamaicans should learned not to fear fundamental change, but to embrace it; fifty years of independence and we’re still contemplating about fundamentally transforming Jamaica from colonial influence. Mrs. Simpson Miller calls to completing the "cycle of independence” is a historical and politically specific call to Jamaicans to establish a new sense of selves.

Ian M
1/11/2012

Absolutely, wonderful piece, Mr. Green. I could not agree with you more. Mrs. Simpson needs to realize that she was elected to serve the people, protect them, their country, their constitution and work to improve their standards of living. She was not elected to pursue a personnal agenda and self impose her reign.

James St. John
1/11/2012

Can't stop the "Progress"

tickyticky fish
1/11/2012

@Jason Green, when Jamaica becomes a Republic if you are not living in England now are you going to move there?

tickyticky fish
1/11/2012

@ Jason Green people like you will take us back into slavery and under colonial rule, Why have a White Queen over a predominantly Black nation that make sense?, haven't you heard that Jamaicans need visa to go to their "Mother" the Queen's country. Suh if yuh need a visa fi guh a yuh mada country wey yuh need har for?. It is time for you to drop the slavery licky licky mentality. when Jamaica become a Republic the Sun wont fall out of the sky.

Lee Mac
1/11/2012

Amidst all this talk of nationalism and sovereignty, I'm convinced the only reason they want to remove the Queen is because she's the one person stubbornly impervious to political influence and corruption. No matter how hard they try, they cannot influence the Queen, therefore she has to go! Getting rid of the Queen will remove our last guarantee and safeguard of Jamaican democracy. She alone can dismiss a corrupt government, refuse Royal Assent to unfair laws or pardon those unjustly condemned.

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A PNP Republic? — No way