PATRIOTIC MINISTER of religion, Dr Al Miller, recently went one step further in his advocacy for the establishment of a Government of National Unity and Reconstruction when he put forward steps that would have to be taken in order to make the transition to such an administration. This during a press conference held at the Island Life Building, 6 St. Lucia Avenue in Kingston recently.
Pastor Miller silenced dissenters who have dismissed the possibility of a Government of Unity, pointing to definite ways in which the Prime Minister and the Parliament and the Opposition could move the nation in this direction if the will existed. "Any of these options can be implemented with immediacy if it is agreed that the nation is in crisis," he asserted strongly. "The ruling party controls Parliament with such a majority that it is able to pass whatever it is committed to for the rest of its term in office," said the pastor of the local Christian church Fellowship Tabernacle.
After carefully examining relevant constitutional issues, Reverend Miller put the proverbial ball squarely in the court of the National leaders, revealing various options that can be immediately implemented. These include: The Prime Minister appointing a bipartisan advisory committee to advise himself and the Cabinet, which would have the authority to act within given parameters and be allowed to examine any area of Government and make recommendations to ensure justice and truth.
The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition agreeing on cleaning the slate and appointing a new Executive. This would require the voluntary resignation of all of the current members of the Senate. Independent persons broadly representing civil society would be appointed to the Senate in the usual manner.
The maximum of four Cabinet Ministers being chosen from the independent members of the Senate or Section 69(3) of the constitution being amended (as was done in 1977 & 1986) to increase the maximum beyond four.
The Prime Minister including members of the Opposition in the Cabinet. This would result in a combined executive leadership representing a Government of National Unity, consisting of persons from the Governing Party, the Opposition and Independent Senators. The Parties could agree to assist in establishing a new Temporary Party, to accomplish the set goal of a Government of National Unity for one term, comprising fresh faces perceived to be credible and having integrity, and the best representatives from the existing parties. Then call an election which they would not contest as their existing entities, as was done by the PNP in 1983. This would allow the new entity to form Government within the Constitutional Framework.
The alternative to making these and other changes to the existing government, Pastor Miller asserted, would be Parliament passing an act to amend the Jamaican Constitution at the highest level of entrenchment. This amendment should include a "supremacy clause" stating that, "The Act of Parliament setting up the Government of National Unity, shall not be void to the extent of any inconsistency, with the provisions of this Constitution, but shall, not withstanding such inconsistency, prevail over those provisions."
This would require a referendum in which 60% of the electors voting would need to vote in favour of the amendment. "This," he challenged, "would not be difficult if the Government and Opposition agree to support the Act."
