Cabinet moves ahead with review of Constitutional Reform Committee's report

The Cabinet has received and started reviewing the report of the Constitutional Reform Committee despite the refusal of opposition members of the committee to sign the report.

A media release from the Office of the Prime Minister said the report was received by Cabinet today.

"The Cabinet has started a thorough and meticulous process of review, ensuring that all aspects of the report are carefully considered," the media release said.

The OPM said once the Cabinet has completed its review, the report will be tabled in Parliament along with the Government's conclusions.

It said the Government remains hopeful that the Opposition will join in signing the document.

It noted that a collaborative approach is essential for achieving meaningful and lasting constitutional reform, adding that "the Government will not engage in the politicisation of the constitutional reform process or contribute to undermining its integrity."

It said the Government will continue to update the public on the progress of the review.

On Friday, Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, disclosed that he had instructed opposition representatives on the Constitutional Reform Committee not to sign off on the committee's report until concerns he has raised about the reform process are resolved.

Golding wrote to Prime Minister Andrew Holness on May 7 outlining his concern regarding the timeline for severing ties with the British monarchy and the United Kingdom-based Privy Council.

In the letter, released to the media, Golding reiterated the Opposition's stance that both matters should be addressed at the same time, and not in a phased way, as the Government has proposed.

He again made it clear the Opposition would not be supporting the move to establish Jamaica as a republic, if the Caribbean Court of Justice issue is placed on the back burner.

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