Golding wants discussion on what it means to be Jamaican
ROSE HALL, St James — President of the People’s National Party (PNP) Mark Golding has reiterated the need for a discussion around what it means to be a Jamaican.
“I personally am of the view that we can’t take a myopic, insular approach to Jamaicans on the rock, or for our relatives and friends abroad, on our rules around who can participate at whatever level,” he stated.
His comments came during the second day of the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference 2024. The three-day conference which started on Monday is being held at Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James.
Golding’s concern comes at a time when there is heightened debate surrounding his dual citizenship. He is a Jamaican citizen by birth and a UK citizen by descent.
Even though the Jamaican Constitution allows for a Commonwealth citizen to sit in the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has stated that it is his view that certain positions should be held by persons with singular citizenship.
Golding’s comment also comes at a time when the country is moving to make changes to the constitution. The Constitutional Reform Committee has recommended that to be eligible to serve in Parliament, an individual must be a Jamaican.
Golding, who is also the Opposition leader, has cautioned against being exclusionary.
“I’m hoping that we will have that dialogue because it’s very important insofar as we collectively recognise the importance of the role of our people from all over in helping our people to develop. That dialogue is an important element of that,” he said.
