The Real Situation - A Taste of Jamaican Politics
This is an exciting time in Jamaican history right now. Jamaica wants to become a republic! In each episode, The Real Situation gives you a taste of Jamaican politics, reasoning out the past, present and what lies ahead as we travel the road to becoming a republic, together.
Episodes
Where in the world is Marlene Malahoo Forte - the only member of the old Cabinet who was dropped by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness. She had led the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs which was created to drive the constitutional reform process.
Check out The Real Situation as we reason about the start of the new Parliament and what is next for Constitutional Reform.
There is a fight brewing but it’s not against Jamaica becoming a republic. It’s a fight to put Jamaica’s journey to becoming a republic on a different road.
Join me as we reason about the General Election and the future of Jamaica's journey to becoming a republic.
60% of Jamaicans positively support adoption of the CCJ. During the Leadership debate, the Prime Minister finally confirmed the Government’s position on Jamaica’s Final Court of Appeal - Jamaica should have its own local Final Court of Appeal. “No serious person considers that to be an alternative”.
It's election day tomorrow and the stakes are high. Join me your host, Melanie Byfield, as we reason about the upcoming elect...
The Bill nuh dead. It is in a politically induced coma, waiting on the winner of the General Election to determine its fate. The date - September 3.
Join me your host Melanie Byfield as we reason about the first of the 3 national debates that took place on Saturday, August 23rd.
Baby baby we’ve got a date. Got 2 actually. Nomination Day - August 18 and the General Election on September 3.
The Constitutional Reform Bill might be near death, but the election campaigning is very much alive.
Join me your host Melanie Byfield as we travel to election day, and see who will be the party to revive Jamaica's journey to becoming a republic.
Happy Independence Day!
After 63 years of political independence Jamaica is once again on the road to becoming a republic.
But, the Bill is in limbo - possibly dead! Election time is near and so is the end of the current Parliamentary term.
Advocates Network, National Integrity Action and others have stated that the Bill can’t work and needs to take a different direction, with proper public education and addressing the issues of gove...
“I would rather die upon yonder gallows than live in slavery”. Those are the words of Samuel Sharpe, National Hero of Jamaica whose Baptist War contributed to the abolition of slavery.
Join me, your host Melanie Byfield, as we give thanks for the sacrifices made for us by the likes of Samuel Sharpe, Paul Bogle, Tacky and millions of other Africans who gave their lives so that we could be free to embark on a journey for Jamaica to ...
In a Submission on the proposed Bill to amend the Constitution, Professor Hamilton, the Advocates Network, Jamaica Council of Churches, Institute of Law & Economics, Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement, among other civil society organizations and individuals, have asserted that the Parliamentary Cabinet/Westminster System of political governance is flawed, contributing to poor governance and the inability to address...
The review of The Constitution (Amendment) (Republic) Bill, 2024 by the Joint Select Committee (together with the political grandstanding and lecturing) are coming to an end. What's next - the Committee has prepared a draft report but is the journey is taking a different direction?
Join me, your host Melanie Byfield, as we reason about where Jamaica's journey to becoming a Republic is going.
A Joint Select Committee meeting was held on April 2, 2025 but the words on many lips seems to be that Constitutional Reform is dead! Or is it?
Join me, Melanie Byfield, as we look at whether a nine night needs to be held for Jamaica's Constitutional Reform of whether it can in fact be resuscitated.
To elect or not to elect a senator? That is the question - in addition to many more which were submitted to the Joint Select Committee by the public.
Join me, your host Melanie Byfield, as we check out the real situation at the March 19 and March 26 Joint Select Committee meetings and other developments on Jamaica's rocky road to becoming a republic, together.
The Joint Select Committee had impeachment on their mind during their February 26 and March 12 meetings - but did not have the mind to include the provision in the Bill for Parliamentarians.
The Porsche still has 2 flat tires - the CCJ and the appointment of the President. Join me, your host, Melanie Byfield, as we summarize the latest meetings and other developments on Jamaica's rocky road to becoming a republic, together.
The Joint Select Committee held another meeting on February 19, asking how many generations should be able to claim Jamaican citizenship by descent?
Join me, your host, Melanie Byfield, as we summarize this latest meeting and other developments in Jamaica's road to becoming a republic, together.
The Joint Select Committee held another meeting on February 6. Jamaican citizenship entered the discussion but the Opposition Leader didn't because he wasn't there. He's still on pause.
The CCJ and The President are still part of the huge debris blocking the road. Join me, your host, Melanie Byfield, as we summarize the latest meetings and other developments in Jamaica's road to becoming a republic, together...
The Joint Select Committee has held 2 more meetings since the Opposition Leader announced their caucus is taking a pause. Why the pause - they have 4 questions they want the Prime Minister to answer, the main one being the position on the Privy Council - but the porsche ain't pulling over.
Join me, your host, Melanie Byfield, as we summarize these meetings and continue to navigate Jamaica's road to becoming a republic, to...
The Joint Select Committee on The Constitution Amendment Republic Act, 2024 had their first meeting on January 15. Things are off to a bumpy start as plans are made to deliberate on provisions of the bill as well as inviting submissions from the people of Jamaica. "Without the people, there can be no government. The government must be, therefore an expression of the will of the people." (Marcus Mosiah Garvey)
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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 host Melanie Byfield. Join m...
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 for a Senator. Since the C...
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 Parliament as we continue on ...
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.
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