In a recent piece on the need for serious constitutional reform, I averred that the Government’s slow approach to the matter could be compared to a snail crawling away from a meal of lettuce.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has since told the nation that he has mandated the Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte to proceed with speed to get the matter on the road. I took this to mean that the Government was not going to allow itself to be detained by the political shenanigans of the Opposition People’s National Party and its apparent desire to obstruct the work of any committee to be appointed if things did not go its way.

The Opposition has demanded that it needs to be apprised of agenda items before it will consent to sit on any committee.

It was, therefore, astounding and at the same time disconcerting to hear the minister declare in Parliament last Tuesday that there will be a delay in the start of the committee. What in the mandate of the prime minister to get on with it did the minister not understand? The can is now being kicked down the road as no committee will be formed until another Vale Royal talkfest is engaged between the Government and the Opposition.

I have, in the past, expressed my reservations about these talks. The Government gives the impression that it is serious about bipartisanship and the need to forge consensus with the Opposition on matters of national importance, while the Opposition sells the nation the idea that it is not just about opposing but is willing to talk with the Government, make suggestions, and is serious about partnering in an effort to help the country.

But, often, these talks do not achieve anything of far-reaching importance for the national good. Apart from conveying that they are talking with each other — and dialogue at any time is not a bad thing — they sell the falsehood of something serious being done for the people but often end up massaging the rather large egos of those who attend these meetings. They are largely window dressings. After these talks, each party retreats to its partisan haven, waiting for the next meeting to be called.

Now the important work of a constitutional committee must await the outcome of another talkfest. To achieve what? As egos and partisan sentiments rule the day, can you imagine the amount of time that will be wasted trying to come to a consensus on an agenda, even before a committee is appointed to do this important work? It could be another two months, if not longer, before any real work will begin.

The Opposition is twisting itself into a pretzel by not being willing to sit on such a committee. They need to understand that while their gyrations may impress the base of the party, they are offensive to the rest of us who are sick and tired of the dithering and prevarications in which they are indulging.

If the PNP believes in such a committee, they should, in principle, appoint representatives, then they could lay out their concerns at the first meeting, agree or disagree on final agenda items, or vote with their feet if they have serious problems with the agenda. But they should not seek to hold the committee hostage to preconditions, neither should they be allowed to delay the work of this committee.

In this regard, the Government is failing in its obligation to robustly convene the committee. By agreeing to Vale Royal talks it is falling into the trap of prevarication being set by the Opposition. Holness should once again mandate the minister of constitutional affairs to get on with it or yield to another who will have more fortitude in attending to the matter.

I can see that, based on the pace at which this ministry is going, my grandchildren, who are all below 10 years of age, will reach retirement age under a King William. Yawn!

KUDOS TO THE SECURITY FORCES

The security forces and their leadership must be congratulated for the reduction of major crimes and murders in the first month of 2023 compared to the same period last year. One can be sure that if events were moving in an opposite direction, they would be eviscerated for the appalling crime statistics. So honour is due where merited.

When the Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson announced the good news, I was seized that he did not gloat about the achievements. This was within his remit, but it demonstrated that he was mindful of the still-grave threat we face from violent criminality in the country. The Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang must also be applauded for the success to date. It is clear that the surveillance strategies are working and the resources that are being expended to give the force a fighting chance are bearing fruit.

Again, citizen support and collaboration with the police are critical to subduing the crime monster. An engaged citizenry must not only criticise the police when they are wrong, but should robustly be a vanguard in their communities against all forms of criminality. Crime is a collective threat to all of us. We must do our part to root it out.

BISHOP ROBERT THOMPSON

As a colleague I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of the former Anglican suffragan of Kingston, Robert Thompson. It was clear that in his long service to the Church Bishop Thompson demonstrated that he not only loved the church and what it stood for, but, even more importantly, he loved the Lord of the Church. This may not be a fine distinction to some observers, but it is necessary as a critical statement of his identity in Jesus Christ.

He had just retired, and one can be sure that he was looking forward to ways in which he could use his vastly accumulated knowledge and experience to aid the Church’s future. Death has robbed us of that reflection, but may the imprint of his life on those who knew him and benefited from his ministry long endure.

This column wishes his family, friends, and colleagues the wellspring of God’s grace that comes to those who mourn. May his soul find its blessed rest in the peace of the one who created him. Rest well, my brother, rest well.

Dr Raulston Nembhard is a priest, social commentator, and author of the books Finding Peace in the Midst of Life’s Storm; Your Self-esteem Guide to a Better Life; and Beyond Petulance: Republican Politics and the Future of America. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or stead6655@aol.com.