THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE KIND of republican government that the Prime Minister is proposing (and the opposition conditionally supporting) is quite meaningless. A ceremonial President does not change our present arrangements.
We need to be serious about the future of ourselves and moreso our children. There are a number of constitutional issues floating in the air. Those issues are; a new constitution, the entrenchment of our human rights, separation of powers, republicanism, the Westminster system, the Monarchy, the Privy Council and the Caribbean Court of Justice.
These issues need careful thought, accurate integration and public consent.
I suggest that the existing Constitution Committee (a bipartisan committee) be charged with:-
(a) considering all the issues listed above and their integration
(b) fostering three years of public education and debate
(c) arriving at a constitution which is a result of consensus on all the issues.
The committee should be funded to carry out this process. At the end of three years the Government should pub the New Constitution to the people in a REFERENDUM in 2006.
Yes means we have a NEW CONSTITUTION. No means we continue to limp along on the old inadequate arrangements.
I am, etc.,
M.H. ELLIOTT
Gordon Town P.O.
St. Andrew
