MONTEGO BAY, St James — Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson says he does not support the country appointing a ceremonial president from the current constitutional reform process and has warned that, should this be done, he would be the first to take to the streets in protest.

“If they (the Government) ever try to pass an amendment that says we have a ceremonial president that is appointed by two-thirds of both Houses on the nomination of the prime minister, after consultation with the leader of the opposition, and if he doesn’t go through on the first round then that person can be appointed by simple majority on the nomination of the prime minister, I am going to be the first one out on the road, because that cannot spin,” Patterson told a symposium staged by the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) Region Six Outreach Committee on Thursday.

The event was held under the theme ‘Learning from History to Navigate Tomorrow’ at Sea Garden Beach Resort in St James.

“You don’t want a ceremonial head of state which is a surrogate or a puppet of the prime minister,” Patterson stated to applause from the audience.

In April 2023 Prime Minister Andrew Holness named a Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC), co-chaired by Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte and Ambassador Rocky Meade, to assess how the passage of time has impacted the recommendations of a 1995 joint select committee on the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Report.

The CRC has proposed that the reform, which will see the removal of the British monarch as the country’s head of state, and establish Jamaica as a republic, being done in three phases.

The recommendations for the first phase were submitted to and approved by the Cabinet before being tabled in the Lower House.

A joint select committee of Parliament is currently reviewing the Constitution (Amendment) (Republic) Bill, 2024 after the CRC embarked on an islandwide consultation procedure.

In the past, Opposition Leader Mark Golding had argued that, even though the PNP prefers an executive president, the Opposition would not challenge the Government’s desire for a ceremonial head of state. However, the PNP has emphasised that the vote for a president should be taken in a manner which reflects the present constitutional arrangements, that is, two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives and two-thirds of the members of the Senate.

On Thursday, Patterson said: “It is that ability or capacity to be impartial which has caused several of us to move from being resolute for an executive president to be prepared to accept, for a time, a ceremonial clause.

“So, we are watching, and we are waiting, and we are listening; and we hope that there is not going to be any hijacking of those who are discharging their duties, regardless of where their findings have led,” he cautioned.

Also on Thursday, Patterson addressed concerns regarding the appointments of two commissioners to the Integrity Commission — chairman, retired justice Seymour Panton, and Eric Crawford whose seven-year terms will come to an end this month.

Patterson described as “deplorable and dangerous” attacks launched on the commission by politicians.

“I have to say it is outrageous when the minister of justice can publicly be advising that their spouses declarations need not be returned. It would make a mockery of the law because, instead of bribes or undue enrichment going into the representatives’ account, you would simply divert it to spouses, to children, to siblings, or to parents. The Integrity Commission must be able to follow the trail wherever it may lead,” argued Patterson.

“The members must have the protection of secure tenure, the authority, and the resources to pursue any semblance of corruption, regardless of where their findings may lead,” he insisted.