St. George’s, December 3, 2010 (GIS) – A renewed call is being made for Grenada to sever its constitutional ties with British sovereignty.
A just released Draft Constitution suggests Grenadians should forego their colonial ties to Britain, forming instead, a Parliamentary Republican State.
The recommendations were presented at the launch of a consultative process to review the existing constitution that came into effect when Grenada attained political independence from Britain on February 7, 1974.
“Our existing constitution was not written by us. I believe it served us well for the time but I don’t think there is anything better than getting the people involved in the rewriting of our constitution,” Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas said at Friday’s launch at the Grenada Trade Centre.
The consultative process, which would last four to six months, is being led by Carriacou-born Dr. Simeon Mc Intosh, a constitutional expert and Professor of Law at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados.
The draft document, titled “To Make Our Constitution Our Own,’’ was based on two previous constitutional reviews completed in 1985 and 2006.
Mc Intosh, in an overview of the draft, stressed the need for separation from British power, saying “this new constitution is of our own making; and therefore, it is the authoritative expression of our collective voice rather than the legislative expression of the British imperial parliament.”
Additionally, said Mc Intosh, “we make a formal declaration of our true political status as a Parliamentary Republican State. Thus, henceforth, the British Crown will no longer be the all-important emblem of our state.”
As part of the proposed Parliamentary Republican State, Mc Intosh wants a new procedure for appointing the Head of State.
He also favours Grenada’s “delinking from the Privy Council and adopting the Caribbean Court of Justice as our final appellate court of justice,” saying this is the principal move in strengthening Grenada’s Judiciary.
The Caribbean Court of Justice, being of our own, “has the opportunity to exercise greater influence on the local judicial system,” Mc Intosh said.
Mc Intosh’s presentation and the Draft Constitution were both welcomed by Prime Minister Thomas and lawyer Dwight Horsford, who represents the opposition in the Senate.
Mr. Thomas described the presentation of the document as an “historic moment.’’
For his part, Sen. Horsford referred to the Draft Constitution as a “very thorough document which merits full examination and reading.” He commended Mc Intosh for ensuring the document is written in a manner that allows for easy understanding and comprehension by the “ordinary person.”
The consultative review series on the Draft Constitution begins in January 2011. Once the consultative process is completed, Grenadians will be asked to vote in a referendum on a new constitution for the nation.
In the mean time, Mc Intosh plans on making a few public presentations to “walk the public through the document, so that over the Christmas break Grenadians at home and abroad could be discussing it.”
This Mr. Mc Intoush wrote a book on constitution reform. Why is he all to use Grenada as his playground for his book?
Come on Mr. Tillman, I know you are under pressure, but stand up for once.
The NDC government has failed the people. The were not able to deliver what they promise the people. This cosmitic regime was able to rename the airport and now they are trying to replace the constitution.
This is the remenents of the PRG and RMC at work. When they are no able to deliver they blame the constitution. What does the constitution have to do with healthcare? I am not hearing the voice of the minister of health who was very vocal before the election now people have to send abroad for simple things like a vial to collect their blood at the general hospital.
What does the constitution have to do with education, jobs, food, clothing etc. The PM cannot control his own cabinet. Where in the world the PM have to discuss his cabinet reshuffle with anyone.
It make me remember the central comittee of the revolution who wanted joint leadership. My people please do no be fooled again.
As a lawyer and a Grenadian son, I encourage all sane thinking Grenadians to get on board with Mr. McIntosh. For too long It has pained me to endure the travesty of watching us claim to be independent but afraid to make our own mistakes. Let us dedicate our government to our people, not to the British Queen. Our Prime Minister should not take an oath to the “Queen”. The Oath should be to GRENADIANS. When we falter as we will, we should not be afraid to seek coucil from our institutions, NOT FROM THE BRITISH PRIVY COUNCIL. Imagine the USA becoming independent of UK and taking its appeal to the British Privy Council? Are the British humans such a unique and special breed that only they can think the “right thoughts” as our fellow Caricom, Jamaican would say ” Dosn’t their shit stink also?”
It is time that Grenadians stand up and be counted as humans in our own right rather than as appendages to the British crown.
This will fail just like in St. Vincent. Why not amend the constitution instead of a new one.
What is so wrong that the entire constitution have to be replace. This is not reform. There are developed countries like Australia and Canada that is operating under the same constitution.
Government are just wasting money.
Breaking away from colonialism is an important step in our history. It should have been done sooner. We have to forge our own Caribbean identity both culturally and legally.
But we should be cautious as we proceed, The people have to either by referendum election approve this process.
Also we should use this as a diversion from other crucial problems facing the nation like unemployment , tourism etc.
The RMC boys want to change the constitution to their own fancy. Look at the way they are behaving. They just dont want to accept the constitution of Grenada.
Tillman should kick all of them out of his cabinet. History shows that criminals will repeat their crime. Keith Mitchell once said “They will kill again” and I believe that.