As part of the ongoing constitutional reform process, former Prime Minister PJ Patterson has stated that he opposes the country’s appointment of a ceremonial president and intends to be the first to demonstrate against the action if it were to happen.
Patterson stated during a conference held on February 7, 2025, by the Region Six Outreach Committee of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), “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.”
- Advertisement -
“Learning from History to Navigate Tomorrow” was the topic of the event, which took place at Sea Garden Beach Resort in St James.
Patterson said, amid cheers from the crowd, “You don’t want a ceremonial head of state that is a surrogate or a puppet of the prime minister.”
The Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC), co-chaired by Ambassador Rocky Meade and Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte, was established by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in April 2023 to examine the effects of time on the recommendations made by a joint select committee on the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Report in 1995.
In order to establish Jamaica as a republic and remove the British monarch as the nation’s head of state, the CRC has suggested that the reform be carried out in three stages.
Prior to being presented before the Lower House, the Cabinet reviewed and accepted the first phase’s proposals.
Following the CRC’s island-wide consultation process, a joint select committee of Parliament is presently examining the Constitution (Amendment) (Republic) Bill, 2024.
Opposition Leader Mark Golding has previously maintained that the Opposition will not contest the Government’s demand for a ceremonial head of state, despite the PNP’s preference for an executive president. Nonetheless, the PNP has emphasized that the current constitutional arrangements—two-thirds of the Senate and two-thirds of the House of Representatives—should be reflected in the way the president is chosen.
Patterson stated, “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.”
He added, “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.”
Concerns over the selections of two commissioners to the Integrity Commission, Eric Crawford, whose seven-year tenure expires this month, and chairman, retired justice Seymour Panton, were also addressed by Patterson on the day of the conference.
Politicians have launched what Patterson called “deplorable and dangerous” assaults on the panel.
Patterson stated, “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.”
He urged, “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.”
