Seaga proposes new oaths
OPPPOSITION leader Edward Seaga has given notice of his intention to move resolutions for amendments to the Constitution of Jamaica regarding the oath of office.
This move follows last week’s defeated censure motion in the house, accusing finance minister Omar Davies of “seriously undermining public trust and confidence in his ability to act fairly and impartially and in the best interest of the country.
Seaga’s first proposal calls on the prime minister, minister of finance and other ministers of government to “swear to provide for the good management of the public affairs of Jamaica and, in particular, to observe all laws for the protection of the revenue and for the prudent and just administration of the public affairs of Jamaica”.
Seaga, who is also faced with the possibility of a censure motion from the Government side for his recent statement that the JLP will “oppose, oppose and oppose the government of the People’s National Party (PNP) until we bring it down”, also gave notice that he will be moving a resolution for an oath of office for the leader of the opposition.
Seaga’s resolution notes that although the leader of the Opposition is a constitutional figure, he is not sworn on any oath of office as are the prime minister, the minister of finance and the attorney-general.
His proposal is for the leader of the opposition to “swear that I will at all times faithfully and diligently without fear or favour discharge my responsibility to uphold the Constitution, and in particular, to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens of Jamaica”.
The Opposition leader’s proposals for changing the oaths of office follow on recent changes to those oaths enacted by the government that, in effect, replaces allegiance to the queen with a pledge to uphold the Constitution of Jamaica.