JAMAICA | Patterson Again Urges Govt and Opposition to Make Jamaica a Republic

Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson has written to Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, urging them to jointly collaborate in pursuing the steps necessary for Jamaica to become a republic as the counrtry celebrates its 60th anniversary of independence.

On August 6, 2022, Jamaica will celebrate 60 years of independence from Britain since 1962.

The appeal comes in the wake of Barbados which gained independence in 1966, becoming a Democratic Parliamentary Republic on Tuesday November 30, and coinciding with its 55th anniversary of independence.

He said based on the work and reports of previous Commissions and Parliamentary Committees, the single outstanding issue is it has been fully accepted that the new Head of State would be ceremonial in function, and the single most outstanding issue was how the incumbent should be chosen. Whether by two-thirds membership of both Houses sitting separately or jointly.

Former  prime minister Patterson pointed out that It was for such purpose that the Vale Royal Talks were conceived, and where previous dialogue about this and other matters took place between the government and the Opposition.

The following is the full text of Mr. Patterson's statement.