| Forum members object to revisions | | Print | |
| Written by Richard Green/richard@fptci.com | |||
| Thursday, 19 May 2011 11:45 | |||
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Proposed changes to the 2006 Constitution drew little support from the Consultative Forum at its meeting May 17 with Foreign and Commonwealth officials. While some people are demanding that the 2006 Constitution remain as it is, forum Chairwoman Lillian Misick said she believes there is little chance of that happening, considering all the time and money the FCO has spent on the exercise. Member Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson recited a detailed list of her objections and suggestions, but ultimately said she could not support the draft document because of several offensive parts, including giving more power to the governor. “I am extremely concerned that a document that took four years to settle and whose lifespan was three years, and which served its people under one administration, is already deemed problematic and for me without evidence of the problems that it posed,” she said. “I am a firm believer that the 2006 Constitution is not a problem, but the custodians of it did not do its part,” including both local politicians, governors and the FCO, she said. She said many items which are included in the Constitution should be addressed by ordinances, especially changes in the election process. But she said she thought that a Freedom of Information Act should be enshrined in the Constitution like it is in Cayman and the British West Indies. Member Dr. Linda Williams lamented the fact that Belongers were not involved in negotiations for changes to the Constitution, but instead only consulted. Some members questioned the inclusion of financial management provisions in the Constitution, but FCO constitutional advisor Ian Hendry said that was one area that U.K. ministers were adamant about, and that people should expect to see it in the Constitution that is finally approved. Giving more power to the governor also was rejected by members, especially exempting him from Supreme Court review if he did not follow governance principles set out by the U.K Secretary of State for the government to follow. Hendry agreed with objections to that exemption, saying that exemptions may be removed from the final Constitution. When the team submits its final draft to ministers for review, it will provide a list of all objections and suggestions gathered during consultations that were not included in the Constitution. Click HERE to read the 2006 Constitution. Click HERE to read the March 4 draft Constitution under consideration. Click HERE to read the All-Party Commission’s full report on the Constitution.
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