Dear Editor,

Recent utterances by the former attorney general and Minister of Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte regarding her intentions to table a Bill to amend the constitution in May 2023 are tremendously concerning. All this was said whilst lauding “discipline” and the supposed political superiorities/bravery of “her prime minister”.

The questions must be asked: Why is this constitutional reform process being rushed? Who does this approach serve, certainly not the Jamaican people?

Constitutional reform is necessarily slow, thoughtful, bipartisan, and subject to extensive consultation and transparency. Have you seen the minutes of any of the Constitutional Reform Committee meetings? And public sensitisation and involvement, how many townhall meetings have been held and how many calls have been made for consultative papers?

In fact, another important question is this: Why do we need to become a republic right now? Several countries continue to function quite adeptly as constitutional monarchies and rightly prioritise the needs and demands of their citizens.

Does the political one-upmanship and token victory — the only benefit I can readily see to be gained by the current Administration’s pushing through of the amendments to the constitution — justify the estimated expense of hundreds of millions of dollars to make unnecessary amendments to the constitution at this time? Like the wasted expense associated with the proposed change to our current denominations and the National Identification System (NIDS) legislation. The trend in recent history under our current Administration leans towards autocracy.

There are many other very pressing issues that demand the urgent attention of our elected leaders, including access to basic needs, like clean, reliable water supply, as well as strengthening our government accountability and anti-corruption mechanisms.

Is there international pressure being exerted upon Jamaica at this time to amend its constitution in a particular manner? What is the role of Canada and Canadian funding in all of this?

The appointment of a non-national (a Canadian) to the reform committee is extremely strange and not in keeping with best practice. Take a look at the constitutional reform commissions of Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago, they were all natives who took their time to consult with the people extensively and achieve eventual constitutional change and republic status.

Questions, questions, questions, this is what the current reform process leaves us with. Consequently, let me take the opportunity to speak boldly to our leaders: Halt! Stop the rush!

Do not crush us in the mill of political ambition and expediency. Stop the constitutional reform process, dissolve the committee altogether and focus on the issues of actual concern to the people you claim to represent.

To the people I issue a different word of warning: Keep your eyes and ears open! Those who blindly trust their elected leaders end up with tyrants for kings.

“Tek sleep and mark death.”

Joan Barnett

joanwbarnett@proton.me