Dear Editor,

This is an open letter to Prime Minister Simpson Miller.

I write to you on your government’s intention to remove the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as Jamaica’s final court of appeal without a referendum.

The government must recognise that this is an important issue. I was flabbergasted when I heard the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade AJ Nicholson saying publicly that the government would not be having any referendum on whether or not Jamaica should leave or stay with the Privy Council.

It is known that the Privy Council has served the country well over the past 50 years and continues to dispense the highest form of justice to Jamaica. In fact, the vast majority of Jamaicans have a tremendous amount of faith, justice and trust in the Privy Council: so, Prime Minister, it would be a travesty of justice if your administration were to sever ties. Jamaica is a democratic country and within this context you as prime minister have an obligation to ensure that a referendum is held on the issue and allow due process in this regard.

The Opposition Leader Andrew Holness is spot on when he says that a referendum should be held to allow Jamaicans the opportunity to decide whether the country should separate itself from that distinguished court.

Prime Minister, your priority at this time should be to seek funds to reform, staff, equip and modernise the country’s justice system.

Robert Dalley

Reading PO

St James

robertdalley1@hotmail.com