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
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)
...
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.
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.
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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 against the system.
I...
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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 for executive de...
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 Manley and Seaga did it, anyone can. A...
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“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. Please join me i...
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 this race to full independence, beco...
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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. Orette...
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