Dear Editor,

There have been previous pronouncements to cut the ties with the monarchy which have not materialised. This occasion seems to be different and I would like to add my thoughts on the issue.

Whilst I fully support Jamaica’s desire to move to full independence from Britain, it really should have happened in 1962. I do not think this is the most pressing priority for Jamaica at this time, as quality of life, personal security, wealth creation and the creation of life opportunities, etc are more urgent.

But we are where we are, so for me there are a number of questions that need to be answered to help us make informed choices at the referendum, whenever it is called. Many of us who are going to be called on to make this decision were old enough to take part in the only other referendum to be held in Jamaica’s history, so we owe it to ourselves and our children to show leadership in shaping the future of our country.

I have 20 questions that I would like to pose to the committee that will draft the new constitution. They are:

1. What type of presidency will we have — executive or ceremonial?

1. What type of presidency will we have — executive or ceremonial?

2. What will the powers of the president be?

3. How much will it cost to make the change to republic status?

4. What are the checks and balances to be built into the system, eg between the executive, the judiciary and the legislature?

5. Will there be a separation of church and state?

6. Will the core values of republicanism and other defining characteristics of republicanism be enshrined into the constitution?

7. How will the Parliament be constituted and will it continue to be bicameral?

8. What will the term of Office of the President be?

9. What will the succession arrangements be in the event the president is not willing or is unable to carry out her/his duties?

10. Who will be eligible to run for the Office of President, what will be the process for making that selection and what are the criteria for eligibility, for example age, birthplace, etc?

11. What will the process for drafting the constitutional amendments be?

12. By what process can the president be removed from office?

13. How will the machinery of government function, for example, will there be an Office of Prime Minister, and if yes what will the role of such a prime minister be?

14. What will the country be called; will it remain Jamaica or will it be known as The Republic of Jamaica or some other name?

15. When will the referendum to agree the changes to the constitution be held?

16. What is the timetable to the referendum?

17. How much choice will the electorate have in deciding the organs and processes of state?

18. Will the referendum be a single ‘yes’/’no’ vote as in 1961 or will there be multiple questions, for example, in addition to ‘yes’/’no’ ie whether we want to remain subject to the monarchy or whether we wish to be a republic; will there be a question on whether we want a constitutional or executive president, etc?

19. How will citizens be engaged and consulted prior to the referendum?

20. How will the diaspora be engaged and consulted in this matter?

I am sure that there are many other questions that others will pose and I look forward to a response from the minister of information or whoever has the responsibility to engage the citizens of Jamaica and the diaspora on this issue.

Major Winston Sutherland

139 Roundhills

UK