The Real Situation - A Taste of Jamaican Politics

Historic! Malahoo Forte tables Bill to amend Constitution to replace King Charles with Jamaican president!  But what’s the benefit of having the Supreme law taken out but leaving the highest court?  And there is no consensus on the highest court - the Opposition Leader reminding the Government that one hand can't clap and without the support their, this process is going nowhere. I am your hos...

The Constitutional Reform Committee's report is proposing an increase in Senators from 21 to 27.  Do we need more senators? A senate appointment is for the life of the parliament - 5 years.  The government represents the people of Jamaica and the expectation is that for those 5 years, everyday is work!  A Job Description was introduced for Members of Parliament in June, 2023.  There is none f...

There are currently 56 countries in the Commonwealth of Nations.  In its May 2024 report, the Constitutional Reform Committee recommended amending the Constitution so that to sit in the Parliament of Jamaica the requirement should be Jamaican citizenship, not being a Commonwealth citizen. I am your host Melanie Byfield.  Join me to discuss these and other recommendations to reform the Jamaican Par...

The Constitutional Reform Committee recommended in its report that Jamaica should retain the parliamentary system of governance.  The journey continues - please join me in my podcast as we discuss what retaining this system of governance could mean for Jamaica’s journey transitioning from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Constitutional Republic.

I am your host, Melanie Byfield and yes mi friend.  Wi deh a street again.  Is the Porsche moving.  Look like its being pushed.  It ah move still, but one problem though.  Looks like we are heading down a dead end street.   The journey continues.  Please join me in my podcast as we continue the discussion on Jamaica's road to becoming a republic together.

Check out The Real Situation!   We are in election mode!   A by-election on September 30  in St. Ann NE and a general election due by September of next year; . With constitutional reform, this could be the last general election with a monarch.  Jamaica would be a republic and the CRC have proposed a president as the new  head of state but there are parts of Section 4 which have many resisting agai...

Check out The Real Situation! The 15-member Constitutional Reform Committee submitted a May 2024 report of recommendations which has been tabled in parliament as a Ministry Paper.   From the discussions that are taking place, the people of Jamaica want more. More involvement for all Jamaicans in this process More views to be shared by the Jamaican public More public education More accountability f...

During the Reasoning with Mr Orette Bruce Golding about Reform of the Jamaica Constitution and De-Linking from the British Monarchy at UWI on July 30, Mr. Golding showed a picture of Michael Manley and Edward Seaga signing the legislation for what is now called the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, describing it as “consensus being formalized” and reemphasizing “consensus is not beyond us - if Manl...

Check out The Real Situation - “We cannot say we are independent and still continue to have the King of our colonial past as our head of State or make laws that cannot become effective unless they are signed by the King’s representative, the governor general, and whose appellate jurisdiction still lies with the colonial Privy Council" (Dr. Raulston Nembhard). I am your host Melanie Byfield. ...

Happy Independence! Today, Jamaica is celebrating 62 years of political independence and is currently on a road to becoming a republic in order to secure independence 100% - executive, legislative and hopefully judicial.   We may not have won the hundred meters, but wi bad pon relay.  Our ancestors, martyrs, many heroes and we the people are waiting tor the baton to be picked up so we can carry on...

Check out The Real Situation! The first Town Hall Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica took place at Emancipation Park on July 25, 2024.  The Jamaican public have plenty to say.  If you listen carefully now, you will hear.   I am your host Melanie Byfield.  Please join me in my podcast and get a taste of Jamaican politics as we continue Jamaica's journey to becoming a republic together. UWI - The Hon...

Check out The Real Situation! Jamaica's independence celebrations are drawing closer, and as the new winning Festival Song says, "we have come a long way, standing in a strong way!"  We truly stand on the shoulders of some very strong men and women who started the journey we are on.   Yes, wi Porsche park up an di tire still flat, but the public education campaign surrounding the CR...

Check out The Real Situation! The Constitutional Reform Committee submitted a May 2024 report of recommendations which has been tabled in parliament as a Ministry Paper.  The Leader of the Opposition, prepared a document outlining the issues the party is not in agreement with, and the big one weh buss di tire is the final court of appeal. I am your host Melanie Byfield.  While the Porshe park up,...

Check out The Real Situation! I am your host, Melanie Byfield joining you at a time when we are waiting for the issue of Jamaica’s final court of appeal to be resolved.  So, that flat tire still needs to be fixed so we can, in reality, carry on with Jamaica’s journey to becoming a republic.  And I say in reality because you can wash the car, check the oil, clean up the inside, refill the washer fl...

Check out The Real Situation! The Constitutional Reform Committee have released their report but 3 signatures were withheld. https://mlca.gov.jm/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MEDIA-FULL-CRC-REPORT-MAY-2024.pdf We may have a flat tire but I say don't watch that.  We always knew this was going to be a road with whole heap of pot holes - some of them real big,  but while it's not an easy road,...

Check out The Real Situation! This may be the start of this journey for you and I, but Jamaica's journey to become a republic has already started.  While it's not an easy road, we fully expect to reach the destination. I am your host Melanie Byfield.  Please join me in my podcast and get a taste of Jamaican politics as we travel this road together.