JLP, PNP Issue Early Morning Statements Amid CRC Report Row

Mark Golding, President of the People’s National Party, (left), Senator Sherene Golding Campbell (right)

The governing Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, says it’s disappointed that Opposition Leader Mark Golding has acted in a manner which could potentially thwart and derail widespread public demand for Jamaica to become a republic.

In an early morning statement issued on Tuesday, the JLP says it’s unfortunate that Golding has instructed the PNP representatives on the Constitutional Reform Committee to not sign the final report.

The JLP says it notes that the government has heard and positively responded to consistent representation from across the island for Jamaica to become a Republic.

The JLP statement quotes government senator, Sherene Golding Campbell, saying she’s disappointed that despite significant progress made in acting on public sentiment, the Opposition Leader has chosen to potentially derail the process by making demands at the proverbial 11th hour.

Senator Golding Campbell says she remains hopeful that the opposition will allow the bi-partisan process towards republican status to continue.

And Opposition Leader Mark Golding has issued an early morning statement drawing attention to what he says are important issues of concern in the report of the Constitutional Reform Committee, CRC.

Mr. Golding says he wrote to the Prime Minister on May 7 this year, advising him that in addition to the fundamental matter of the final court of appeal, there were several other issues in the proposed CRC Report that are of significant concern to the Opposition.

He says a document setting out the concerns was sent to the Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte last Friday.

Mr. Golding says the document was sent with the understanding that Minister Malahoo Forte would share the document with the other members of the CRC for their consideration.

But he says the minister did not share the document.

He says she instead submitted the CRC Report directly to the Cabinet, denying the CRC members the opportunity to review and address the serious and legitimate concerns of the Opposition.

According to Mark Golding, that action clearly indicates a lack of intent by the government to seek consensus with the Opposition on the proposed constitutional reform.

The PNP has scheduled a press conference for 11AM this morning to address the issue.