Jamaica must complete the unfinished circle of independence — Buchanan
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesperson on Youth and Human Rights Isat Buchanan has reaffirmed the Opposition’s support for Jamaica becoming a republic while insisting that true constitutional reform must include full judicial independence and meaningful national consensus.
Buchanan, making his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, argued that Jamaica should not pursue what he described as a “half-finished decolonisation” by removing the British monarch as head of state while retaining the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the nation’s final court.
“The Opposition supports Jamaica becoming a republic. We support replacing the British monarch with a Jamaican head of state. But we believe the time has come for full decolonisation,” Buchanan said.
He maintained that genuine independence requires Jamaicans to have access to a regional final court that is more accessible to ordinary citizens than the current Privy Council system.
Buchanan also noted that constitutional reform cannot succeed without cooperation between the Government and Opposition, particularly given the parliamentary requirements for constitutional amendments.
“The Government cannot make Jamaica a republic without the Opposition. Partnership is not optional. It is a constitutional necessity,” he said.
The Opposition spokesperson called for renewed engagement between both sides to advance reforms that strengthen democracy and public confidence in governance.
Among the additional reforms highlighted were fixed election dates, term limits for prime ministers, stronger integrity provisions, constitutional protection for key democratic institutions and greater public participation in constitutional reform.
Buchanan stressed that constitutional change must ultimately benefit future generations and not simply alter constitutional symbols.
“A constitution by us, of us and for us must also be a constitution that works for ordinary Jamaicans and reflects the aspirations of the next generation,” he said.
