Head of State Should Be Above Partisan Politics – Malahoo Forte

Jamaica should put in place a Head of State who will be above partisan politics, says Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte.

Speaking on the Good Morning Minister programme, aired on Love 101 FM, today (May 3), the Minister, who is also Co-Chair of the Constitutional Reform Committee, said the view is part of the Government’s position, and it is part of recommendations made in previous constitutional reform exercises.

The Constitutional Reform Committee is charged with examining the provisions of the Order in Council, the Constitution of Jamaica and the Jamaica Independence Act, to identify provisions that will require amendment, if any, and give effect to the reform recommendations.

It will also recommend a change from a constitutional monarchy to a republic, including the type of republic, and the necessary powers to address Jamaica’s governance challenges.

“Make sure that whoever ultimately exercises the highest authority in Jamaica is a Jamaican person, loyal to no other country but Jamaica, and our thinking is that we should keep the Head of State separate from the Head of Government, and separate from the competitive political process,” the Minister said.

She emphasised that the Head of State should represent national unity, and “embodies the bringing together of the nation”, noting that Jamaica should have a non- Executive President as opposed to an Executive President where “your State and your politics get mix up in one,” Mrs. Malahoo Forte said.

The Minister further added that at the time when Jamaica got its Constitution in 1962, when the country gained Independence, Jamaicans did not have a say in who would be the Head of State and going to a Republic system provides citizens of Jamaica the surety of not having someone from another country being Head of State.

Encouraging public participation in the Constitutional reform process, the Minister underscored that the Constitution is the supreme law of Jamaica, and any law that is passed and is not “consistent with the principles in the Constitution would be void”.

The radio programme was hosted by Minister with responsibility for Information, Hon. Robert Morgan.