Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson has called on Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding to exercise their political authority by establishing Jamaica as a republic when the country marks its 60th anniversary of independence in 2022.
Patterson made his plea in a letter addressed to both Holness and Golding on Thursday, December 2. This comes two days following news of Barbados severing its colonial by declaring itself a republic. He noted that it would be “repulsive to contemplate a Diamond Jubilee where our Constitution rests on an Order in Council dated the 23rd July, 1962 and a Head of State who does not reflect our own image…”
In his letter, Patterson noted that there have been extensive discussions on moving towards a republican system for some time before the country marked its 40th anniversary of independence.
“For some time before we entered our fortieth year of Independence, our country has been actively engaged in extensive discussions and consultations on moving towards a Republic System. Since then, the Political Parties you both lead have repeatedly accepted the institution of our own indigenous President as Head of State. This has been reflected in the Election Manifestos of both the JLP and PNP since 2002.”
While being cognizant of the issues that plague the island which include COVID-19, crime, corruption and climate change, Patterson noted that in order for the vision of establishing Jamaica as a republic to become a reality, both parties must present a united front to divide partisan borders.
“I sincerely believe that the solution to these and other problems requires unity of purpose and action, transcending partisan borders. I dare to suggest that powerful signal of combined will, when Government and Opposition are seen to act together, would be transmitted to our entire population,” he wrote.
He added, “It would demonstrate our determination to act in concert by making the long overdue, Constitutional change as we promote our common identity and make our National motto – “Out of Many, One People” a more meaningful reality.”
