Dear Editor,

This is an open letter to the Prime Minister.

When will Jamaica be free and independent from the rule of the Queen?

Jamaicans have been celebrating Independence since August 1962, but apparently most Jamaicans do not know that the Jamaica (Constitution) Order in Council 1962 does not give Jamaica full independence from the colonial rule of the Queen. The Constitution provides for a neo-colonial system of government with broad powers and authority given to the Queen over the democratically elected Government of Jamaica, acting through her appointed representative, the Governor-General.

May I direct your attention and the attention of the citizens of Jamaica to a few of the many provisions in the Constitution that give Her Majesty executive authority over the government and the citizens of Jamaica:

P 94: Chapter V, Assent to Bills

60 (1) “A Bill shall not become law until the Governor-General has assented thereto in Her Majesty’s name and on Her Majesty’s behalf and has signed it in token of such assent.”

P 101: Chapter VI, Executive Powers

68 (1) “The executive authority of Jamaica is vested in Her Majesty.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive authority of Jamaica may be exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the Governor-General either directly or through officers subordinate to him ….”

P 106: 76. “The Prime Minister shall keep the Governor-General fully informed concerning the general conduct of the Government of Jamaica and shall furnish the Governor-General with such information as he may request with respect to any particular matter relating to the government of Jamaica.”

P 112: 90 (1) “The Governor-General may, in Her Majesty’s name and on Her Majesty’s behalf:

(a) Grant to any person convicted of any offence against the law of Jamaica a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions…”

The Jamaica Constitution makes it clear that the Queen is vested with executive authority over the elected government of Jamaica. If an elected government cannot sign its legislative bills into law, why should the Jamaican people continue to celebrate Independence?

It is time for the Parliament of Jamaica to act as one body with the support of the people of Jamaica to liberate Jamaica and her people from the psychological trauma of British slavery and the continuing subjugation of the government and people of Jamaica under British colonial rule. Immediate steps should be taken to amend the Jamaica Constitution, abolish the executive authority of the Queen, abolish the position of Governor-General and change the name of King’s House to Independence House as the official residence of the first elected president of a free and independent Jamaica.

Donald G Morgan

donrubi@verizon.net