The Real Situation - A Taste of Jamaican Politics

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.

13 Ministers of State

The Cabinet & Government Senators

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 election and why you should vote.

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.

PNP v JLP Debate - August 23, 2025

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.

PNP Manifesto

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 governance, structure and accountability.  The entire system needs a revolution. 

Join me your host Melanie Byfield as we navigate what seems like impassable potholes on Jamaica’s journey to becoming a republic, together.

“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 become a republic.

Happy Emancipation Day!

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 economic challenges Jamaica faces.

Active engagement and inclusion of the public is a form of good governance.  US States that have legalized recreational marijuana did so through a referendum, bringing in millions in tax revenue.  A General Election is looming.  Could the legalization of recreational marijuana be placed on the ballot and what could those tax dollars do for the economy?  

Jamaica's journey to becoming a Republic is not only at a standstill - it is at a crossroads.   Join me, your host Melanie Byfield, as we reason about where Jamaica's journey to becoming a Republic is really going.

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.

Constitutional Change Support Form

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.

Joint Select Committee Meeting April 2, 2025