Prime Minister P J Patterson addressing yesterday's joint sitting of Parliament. Also pictured are Prime Minister-designate Portia Simpson Miller and Finance Minister Dr Omar Davies. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

PRIME Minister P J Patterson last night sprung a surprise gesture on the leaders of the two major political parties, blurring the signals about the timing of the next general elections.

In his final appeal to the political leaders before leaving Gordon House, Patterson suggested that they seek bipartisan consensus on at least two of three issues of full sovereignty, which he proposed in his final speech to Parliament, before the general election is constitutionally due. The next general election is constitutionally due by October 2007.

The three issues, which the prime minister said would "substantially advance the process of claiming our full sovereignity as a result of critical constitutional reform and provisions", were:

. the entrenchment in the Constitution, in short order, of the Charter of Fundamental Rights;

. completion of the process of "decolonisation", by creating a Republican system of government, with a president as the head of state, with authority derived directly from the people of Jamaica; and

. completing the process of the Caribbean Court of Justice becoming the country's final appellate court.

The prime minister expressed his disappointment that prior to their departure from Parliament, himself and former Opposition Leader Edward Seaga were not able to substantially advance the concept of sovereignity which, he said, was embodied in the three "decisive acts that this generation has a duty to complete".

A joint select committee of Parliament was unable to complete its review of the proposal for the Charter of Rights after church groups last month raised concerns about freedom of worship, as well as homosexual rights being introduced through the courts.

The government and the Opposition seem very close to an agreement on a Republican system, except for differences over whether the presidency would be ceremonial or executive.

But there is still a wide rift between the government and the Opposition over the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) being installed as Jamaica's final court of appeal, although Jamaica has joined the CCJ as a trade disputes court. The government is ready to enter into the agreement, but the Opposition wants the public to decide through a referendum.

But Patterson told Parliament last night that while he felt the issues would have significant impact on the psyche of the people, he did not intend to "fetter" or "shackle" incoming Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in making her own decision on the timing of the next general election.

"For one reason or another, too many of us have sought to downplay the significant impact these constitutional changes will have on the psyche of the Jamaican people," Patterson said in his response to the tributes from members of both sides of Parliament.

"These are changes which signify the maturing of a people and symbolise the unity and identity of the Jamaican nation. I challenge the new leaders, on both sides of the House, to commit to having at least two of these changes taking place before the next general elections are constitutionally due," said Patterson. "Notice that I said constitutionally due. I must not fetter or shackle anyone from doing what is necessary in their judgment at the appropriate time."

Executive Class

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Death to the Mullet!