Yes, Portia, abolish the monarchy

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Dear Editor,

I believe that we need to have our own indigenous head of state during this year - the 50th Jubilee of Jamaica's political independence. So I endorse the prime minister Mrs Portia Simpson Miller's view to complete our independence in "full circle", transforming Jamaica's constitutional monarchy with a Republic.

For too long the executive authority of Jamaica has been vested in Her Majesty the Queen, who serves only as a symbolic purpose in our country. Imagine, the Jamaican constitution was received by us from the British Colonial Authority which is, in many respects, a transitional document because it basicaly keeps in place what existed before independence in terms of structures and in terms of legislation. Consequently, our constitution follows a model of the Westminster System of government emerging from experiences of the people of Great Britain, without considering the goals and aspirations of our own Jamaicans.

To be frank, it is time that we as a people develop enough confidence in ourselves and in our leadership, to lead Jamaica and change the Queen as the Head of State. We definitely need to embrace a new style of government, so without hesitation we should review the Jamaica Constitution now with the intention of making it more relevant to the needs of the people.

The fact is, section one of the Jamaica Independence Act of 1962, states, "As from the 6th of August 1962 Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom shall have no responsibility for the Government of Jamaica." Therefore, I believe it is immoral to retain the monarchy, having the Queen as the head of state of Jamaica when the United Kingdom is no longer responsible for the affairs of this country.

At the same time, like so many other well-thinking Jamaicans, I firmly believe that our country should by now have an executive president similar to that of the United States. However, it seems to me that only a referendum will provide legitimacy for us to have an executive president elected by the people of Jamaica.

As such, I wholeheartedly support the ratification of Jamaica to have a referendum on this long-awaited matter at hand.

Mr Editor, I unrepentantly support the abolition of the monarchy, so I am calling on the powers that be to take fundamental steps and immediately examine the present structures of government in order to have constitutional change which will enhance more sovereignty, democracy and humanity in Jamaica.

Valentine Pearson

Montego Bay, St James

valenempearson@yahoo.com

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Yes, Portia, abolish the monarchy