‘Victory conference’

‘Victory conference’

Supporters of the People’s National Party (PNP) yesterday dubbed the party’s 86th annual conference a “victory conference”.

Expected to be the PNP’s final annual conference before the next general elections, constitutionally due by September 2025, the party’s supporters and entertainers including the controversial Vybz Kartel, as well as Accompong Maroon Chief Richard Currie, all came out to show their support. Here are a few scenes from the colourful affair.

 

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20240916/victory-conference

Mark Golding promises changes to Integrity Commission Act

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has promised changes to the Integrity Commission Act, should his People’s National Party (PNP) for the next government of Jamaica.
Mr Golding, addressing Sunday’s Public Session of the PNP’s Annual Conference, was responding, in part, to last week’s apparent leak of portions of the Integrity Commission Report, allegedly relating to Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s statutory declarations.

“We will change the law so that all Integrity Commission reports must be published on Parliament’s website within 24 hours being sent to Parliament, and all Jamaicans can read the reports,” he promised.

That promise came in response to his complaint that the Report has not yet been tabled in Parliament, yet it has been “selectively leaked to JLP allied media houses.”

https://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/local/mark-golding-promises-changes-to-integrity-commission-act

‘Portia Initiative’ to target infrastructure renewal – Golding

‘Portia Initiative’ to target infrastructure renewal – Golding

Afuture People’s National Party (PNP) Government will unveil what it calls the “Portia Initiative” in celebration of Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller.

The programme will target the orderly renewal and transformation of infrastructure in all areas.

PNP President Mark Golding made the announcement on Sunday as he addressed the public session of party’s 86th annual conference at the National Arena in St Andrew.

“This programme will drive policies that ‘Sista P’ (Simpson Miller) stood for – improving infrastructure in old housing schemes; tearing down zinc fences in communities and replacing them with concrete walls, completing the infrastructure and land titling for existing land tenure regularising schemes, and rolling out new ones to bring hope and decent living conditions in areas of social neglect,” Golding explained.

He said: “Our beloved Sista P will smile as the next PNP government improves sidewalks for persons with disabilities, provides housing assistance to needy citizens, and beautifies communities where our people live”.

Additionally, a future PNP Administration will undertake a comprehensive review of all laws relating to housing to find ways to make housing more affordable for all Jamaicans.

“These initiatives are all about balancing books and people’s lives, something that Sista P always spoke about and believed in,” said Golding as he argued that Jamaica must emerge from an economy characterised by low growth, low wages, low technology and low productivity.

“To do that we must choose change,” he told comrades.

Golding also stated that a future PNP government will, from day one, restore the core mandate of the National Housing Trust (NHT).

“We will stop the extraction of funds from the NHT. We will return to providing affordable houses for our people,” Golding, who is also Opposition leader, declared.

Golding said the next PNP government will also make lands available to the NHT for qualified contributors so that they can build their own homes.

Outlining an economic model that he said will benefit the majority and not just a few, Golding said:“change means enabling families to own land and afford proper housing”. He argued that land and housing are fundamental development priorities.

https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/portia-initiative-target-infrastructure-renewal-golding

PNP to push logistics-based economy for better paying jobs, says Golding

PNP to push logistics-based economy for better paying jobs, says Golding

The People’s National Party (PNP) says a major pillar of its economic plan if it forms the next Government is the positioning of Jamaica as a global maritime and aviation logistics hub.

PNP President Mark Golding outlined portions of the economic plan on Sunday at the party’s 86th annual conference at the National Arena. He argued that the PNP’s economic model will benefit the majority and not a few.

“Jamaica must capitalise on our unique geographical position, adjacent to the Panama Canal and at the heart of international trade routes. We will build-out clusters of logistics-related activities to increase quality, well-paying jobs and expand the economy, driving further investment in logistics-related industries,” Golding said.

“Our aim is to transform Jamaica into a premier trade and logistics hub, the gateway to the Americas and a cornerstone of growth in regional and hemispheric trade,” he added.

The PNP president, who is also Opposition leader, noted that this was started by the PNP but abandoned by the current Jamaica Labour Party Government.

“We need to create a more balanced, resilient economy in an era of growing food insecurity. Look out for our transformation of agriculture and the blue economy to drive rural development. We must invest in farm roads, cold storage facilities, irrigation systems, deepening the use of technology, marketing support and expanded access to affordable loan finance for farmers,” Golding told the conference.

He said the PNP will forge collaborative relationships with the large private sector players in poultry, agro-processing, milk and livestock production, to improve and increase their already significant contribution. In this regard, partnerships will be established with CASE and other research institutions to develop productivity-boosting projects, and improve planting stock, animal genetics and farming systems, animal husbandry and agronomy.

Golding said that if his party forms the next government, it would boost the country’s own research facilities at Bodles, Orange River and Montpellier.

“Experts in each sector will provide the blueprint required by our farmers to grow the sector, so as to ensure food security for our nation,” he said.

He cited the creative sector as being critical to the pursuit of inclusive, sustainable economic growth, stating that “the State must get behind this sector to assist it to reach its enormous economic potential for the people of Jamaica”.

According to Golding, the country faces two distinct economic choices.

He said “Jamaica under the current Government will continue down the path where only a few benefit, and most Jamaicans face hard times, frustration and hopelessness”.

He assured that the PNP is committed to macroeconomic stability and prudent fiscal management, to ensure debt sustainability.

“Never forget that the last PNP Administration did the heavy lifting to enable Jamaica to reduce its debt to GDP ratio by half in just 10 years. But while that is necessary, it is clearly not sufficient. Our national sacrifices and fiscal success must deliver real improvement in the lives of our people. Everybody must benefit. No one should be left behind,” he said.

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/09/16/pnp-push-logistics-based-economy-better-paying-jobs-says-golding/

Golding confirms PNP won’t contest North East St Ann by-election | News – Jamaica Gleaner

Golding confirms PNP won’t contest North East St Ann by-election | News – Jamaica Gleaner

The People’s National Party (PNP) has confirmed it will not be contesting the upcoming by-election in North East St Ann.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the by-election on Wednesday morning, alerting that nomination day will be September 11 and the election on September 30.

The announcement came a day after Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament Marsha Smith resigned with immediate effect.

In a media release on Wednesday afternoon, PNP President Mark Golding said the party “is preparing for general elections to enable the people to vote in a new government, and will not be contesting by-elections at this late stage in the run-up to the general elections.”

Golding also questioned the timing of the by-election, noting that the government is in the fifth and final year of its term of office.

“It (the JLP government) is becoming increasingly unpopular, and recent events show that it is on the ropes,” he said.

He described the North East St Ann by-election as a “slap in the face of the electors of Southern Trelawny”, who have had no parliamentary representative for a full year.

“It is also a slap in the face of the people of Morant Bay, whose right to elect a Councillor within 90 days of a vacancy was abridged by the Holness Administration using an amendment to the Representation of the People Act, a by-election which is legally due now,” Golding continued.

The PNP president also accused Holness of orchestrating the by-election, pointing to the timing of the announcement of the resignation of Matthew Samuda from his senate seat and his post as Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

“It is striking and unprecedented that this by-election was announced less than 24 hours after the resignation of the Member of Parliament. It is also of some importance to note that the first notification to the Jamaican people about the resignation of a cabinet Minister and Senator, Mr Matthew Samuda, is within the context of announcing a by-election” Golding said.

He also pointed out the fact that the parliament in 2016 legislated that there should be no by-elections for municipal corporations within a 12-month period leading up to local government elections.

He said the PNP will contest the local government by-elections which are due as required by law, as local government elections are not due for another three and a half years.

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20240904/golding-confirms-pnp-wont-contest-north-east-st-ann-election

 

Golding demands resignation of justice minister, attorney general over DPP crisis

Golding demands resignation of justice minister, attorney general over DPP crisis

Opposition Leader Mark Golding says Attorney General Derrick McKoy and Justice Minister Delroy Chuck should resign for saying Paula Llewellyn remains director of public prosecutions (DPP) despite a ruling of the Constitutional Court on Friday.

He said their statements represent “profound misunderstanding or deliberate obfuscation” of the law and argued that the country is on the edge of a constitutional crisis.

“Their actions have fatally undermined their credibility as holders of those important offices,” Golding said in a statement on Sunday.

Golding also indicated that the attorneys who represented the Opposition lawmakers who brought the matter to court wrote to the Government on Saturday urging compliance with the judgment.

On Friday, the Constitutional Court ruled that an amendment to the Constitution last July raising the retirement age of the DPP from 60 to 65 years was valid, but struck down a provision that allowed Llewellyn to choose to continue as “unconstitutional, null and void and of no legal effect”.

The amendment was made about two months before Llewellyn’s initial three-year extension was due to expire in September 2023.

“Parliament has legislated for the retirement of the DPP in a way that lends itself to the interpretation that it has permitted a second extension for the incumbent,” the judgment said, adding that section 2(2) of the amendment act “cannot be lawfully applied to lead to an extension in office by way of an election on the part of the incumbent.”

Following the ruling, lead attorney for Phillip Paulwell and Peter Bunting, King’s Counsel Michael Hylton, said Llewellyn will have to step down “as of today (Friday)”, barring an appeal.

But in a media release on Friday afternoon, the Attorney General’s Chambers said it did not agree with that interpretation. “The Claimants have interpreted the orders of the Court as having the effect of removing the incumbent DPP from office. No order has been issued to that effect,” it said.

The justice minister also indicated that the Government disagreed with the court. Both Chuck and McKoy said the ruling would be appealed.

In his statement on Sunday, Golding blasted the two office holders and urged them to ensure the Government complies with the court ruling so the nation “avoids the impending constitutional crisis that could arise should there be no acting DPP in place by tomorrow morning”.

“The continuation of Llewellyn in her post beyond her lawful term is not only unconstitutional but also a grave misstep in governance,” Golding said. “If the Government adamantly insists on the former DPP continuing to purport to hold that office, her actions would not be validated by law, which would plunge the country into a deeper crisis.”

And the Opposition Leader has also raised concerns about how a possible appointment may be made to the Office of the DPP.

“The current absence of a Public Service Commission (PSC), whose term was negligently allowed to expire on March 31, 2024 without a new PSC being put in place to ensure seamless public administration, is a significant oversight by the Government that could hinder ongoing public services, including the critical appointment of an acting DPP.”

“We urge the administration to consider the gravity of this situation and act in the best interest of Jamaica’s democratic principles and legal statutes,” he said.

Reports emerged Friday that several cases were adjourned after prosecutors expressed concern about whether a DPP was in place on whose behalf they prosecute.

The Gleaner understands that a series of meetings have been held involving Government lawyers over the weekend. However, there is no indication that the AG’s Chambers will retract its statement.

– Jovan Johnson

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20240421/golding-demands-resignation-justice-minister-attorney-general-over-dpp-crisis#google_vignette

Most Jamaicans disagreed with gov’t walk out of Parliament – poll

Most Jamaicans disagreed with gov’t walk out of Parliament – poll

There is apparently not much support for the government’s parliamentary walkout last month.
A recent poll commissioned by the opposition People’s National Party shows that 70 per cent of Jamaicans disagreed with the walk out of Parliament led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in March.
The poll, which canvassed responses from 1,057 people across the 14 parishes over a nine-day period between April 4 and 12, was conducted by Market Research Services.
The large majority of Jamaicans interviewed expressed the view that the walk out of Parliament to protest the budget speech by Opposition Leader Mark Golding was in poor taste and a lapse in judgment.
The move was prompted by Mr. Golding’s comment that Juliet Holness cannot impartially serve as both Speaker of the House of Representatives and be the Prime Minister’s wife.
He also blasted the government over a number of decisions in what was described as a slap in the face of good governance.
The walkout forced the Opposition Leader to complete his speech on the sidewalks outside Gordon House.
The poll shows that only 10 per cent of respondents supported the government’s decision, and the remaining 20 per cent were uncertain about their position.
Those interviewed were confirmed registered voters.
Only one person per household was interviewed.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent at the 95 per cent confidence level, which is consistent with international best practice among all recognised research entities globally.
Golding Concerned About Mandatory Minimum Sentence For Children Charged With Murder

Golding Concerned About Mandatory Minimum Sentence For Children Charged With Murder

Opposition Leader Mark Golding is questioning the constitutionality of a mandatory minimum sentence for children charged with murder.
A Joint Select Committee of Parliament recommended that a child who has committed murder serve 20 years before being eligible for parole.
Under the Child Care and Protection Act, the age of criminal liability is 12.
Making his contribution in Tuesday’s debate on the amendment to the Child Care and Protection Act, Mr. Golding said the proposed change conflicts with the protection that should be afforded children under the Constitution.
“In my view, these provisions in the new section 78 of the Child Care and Protection Act, as amended by this bill, are arguably incompatible with the right of every child to such measures of protection as are required by virtue of the status of being a minor or as part of the family, society and state, which section 13(3)K of the Constitution guarantees and is therefore arguably unconstitutional,” he contended.
Mr. Golding maintained that the long mandatory sentences for offenders when they are children are excessive and not in keeping with the intent of the Child Care and Protection Act, which he argued was set up to ensure that children are appropriately dealt with when they come into conflict with the law.
“Fifty years is a very, very long time…30 years for non-capital murder for a child offender…. This I think is really inconsistent with the spirit and intent of the Child Care and Protection Act and indeed with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,” he argued.
The Opposition Leader urged the Justice Minister to “look again” at the new section 78 that the bill seeks to impose, adding that he is “not aware that there is a sense that persons who commit offences as children are being sentenced in too lenient a way, so I’m really not sure what’s behind this”.
In raising concern about the amendment, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights stated that the practice of depriving children of their liberty in the juvenile justice system must be used as a last resort, only by way of exception, and for as short a time as possible.
https://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/local/golding-concerned-about-mandatory-minimum-sentence-for-children-charged-with-murder
Acting DPP to be announced in short order

Acting DPP to be announced in short order

An acting Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, is expected to be announced in short order.

This, as DPP Paula Llewellyn has indicated that she is unable to carry out the functions of her office at this time.

The development follows Friday’s ruling by the Constitutional Court that the second extension of her tenure as DPP, was unconstitutional.

It also follows a call from the opposition People’s National Party, PNP, for Ms Llewellyn to resign from the post.

In a statement on Sunday evening, Attorney General Dr Derrick McCoy said due to the ambiguity and the consequent uncertainty arising from the full court’s judgment in the case brought by Phillip Paulwell and Peter Bunting, Ms Llewelyn advised that she would be stepping aside.

He said in accordance with section 96 (3) of the constitution, the public service commission will be invited to appoint a qualified person to act in the role of director of public prosecutions for the time being.

Meantime, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has reiterated that the government will be appealing the full court’s decision immediately, to have the issues resolved and determined by the court of appeal.

 

On Sunday evening, the opposition called for the immediate resignation of the attorney general and the justice minister over what it described as their confused response to Friday‘s court ruling regarding the tenure of the DPP.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding said a constitutional crisis would arise if there was no acting DPP in place by Monday morning.

Acting DPP to be announced in short order

Jamaica’s DPP steps down after 16 years following court ruling

Jamaica’s DPP steps down after 16 years following court ruling

BySheri-kae McLeod

Jamaica is set to welcome a new director of public prosecutions (DPP) after 16 years, as an interim director is scheduled to be appointed today. This change comes as Paula Llewelyn, who served as DPP since March 2008 and received extensions to her tenure, has chosen to step aside.

Llewelyn’s decision follows a recent ruling by the Constitutional Court, which declared unconstitutional a second extension granted to her by the Andrew Holness-led Administration. The ruling upheld a constitutional amendment that raised the retirement age for the DPP from 60 to 65 but invalidated the provision allowing Llewellyn to continue in office.

At 63 years old, Llewelyn had already been granted one extension when she turned 60. The Public Service Commission (PSC) is expected to appoint an interim DPP today, its first task after being reconvened on Sunday following the expiration of its tenure on March 31.

The decision for Llewellyn to step aside is due to the ambiguity arising from the court’s ruling, as stated in a news release from the Attorney General’s chambers. The release also confirmed the intention to appeal the Full Court’s decision in accordance with the Constitution.

“Due to the ambiguity and the consequent uncertainty arising from the Full Court’s judgment in Paulwell and Bunting v the Attorney General SU 223 CV 02499, the Director of Public Prosecutions has advised that she is unable to carry out the functions of her office at this time,” the release stated.

The Attorney General’s chambers also reiterated that in accordance with section 96 (3) of the Constitution, the office would be appealing the Full Court’s decision.

The AG had insisted on Friday that the court ruling had no impact on Llewellyn’s status as DPP, signaling that she would have remained in office while the appeal took place. Now the chambers said the PSC will be invited to appoint a qualified person to act in the role of DPP.

It emphasized: “After careful consideration of the judgment and in the public interest, the Attorney General will be appealing the Full Court’s decision immediately, to have the issues resolved and determined by the Court of Appeal.”

Opposition wants additional resignations

On Sunday, Opposition Leader Mark Golding called for the resignations of both the attorney general and Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, over the DPP issue.

Specifically, Golding charged that statements issued by both men on Friday that Llewellyn’s status was not affected by the court ruling brought Jamaica to the edge of a constitutional crisis.

“Their actions have fatally undermined their credibility as holders of those important offices,” Golding said in a statement.

He added: “The continuation of Llewellyn in her post beyond her lawful term is not only unconstitutional but also a grave misstep in governance.

“If the Government adamantly insists on the former DPP continuing to purport to hold that office, her actions would not be validated by law, which would plunge the country into a deeper crisis,” he said.

Jamaica’s DPP steps down after 16 years following court ruling