Governance Reform Plan

The JLP will reform Jamaica’s Constitution and system of Governance to improve transparency, accountability and the strength of representation of the people by elected officials.

The JLP is committed to a Westminster Model of Government with specific reforms that:

Governance Reform Plan

#1 Support a referendum to determine whether Jamaica is to adopt a Republican form of Government. If the referendum decides on a Republican-type structure of government with a President as Head of State, the JLP would support a President selected by the Prime Minister subject to confirmation by two-thirds of the members of each House of Parliament. This would ensure that the President would be a non-partisan figure.

#2 Introduce legislation (if the new post of President is created) to allow the President to select as Prime Minister the person who commands support from a majority of the members of the elected House of Representatives #3 Introduce legislation to increase the number of Senators in the Upper House to an agreed number that will allow appointment of a more meaningful number of independent members from civil society.

#4 Introduce a constitutional amendment to increase the number of seats in the elected House of Representatives to an odd number order to avoid any possible deadlock from an odd number of seats.

#5 The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Senate will have Ministerial rank, but would not have portfolio responsibilities so as to ensure that the House and Senate are not under the control of the Executive under a JLP government.

#6 Introduce legislation to ensure that Ministers and Ministers of State shall not exceed in number one-half of the total membership of the House of Representatives to ensure the retention of a viable back bench.

#8 The Chairmen and members of Committees and other critical national entities which hold a delicate national balance of power would be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister but subject to confirmation by a two-thirds majority of each House of Parliament. Examples include the Services Commissions, Electoral Advisory Committee, the Contractor-General, and the Integrity Commission.

#9 In order to strengthen the oversight role of Parliament, the Appropriations Committee and the Internal Affairs Committee of Parliament would be required to meet at least monthly to examine budgetary expenditure of the current year as well as to review the programmes and policies of the Ministry of National Security.

#10 Pursue the completion of both Phase Two and Phase Three of the electoral reform programme to ensure the introduction of electronic verification of voters and, at a later stage, electronic voting.

Establish an advisory Social Governance Council (SGC) to review and contribute to Government social policies. The SGC would enhance the role of civil society in governance.

Social Governance Council Plan

- Greater transparency and accountability in public affairs.

- A stronger base for fighting corruption in public and private life.

- More responsive and effective government.

- A solid platform for sustainable development to fight poverty, protect the vulnerable and disadvantaged and secure dynamic growth.

- Fulfill the obligations of the Cotonou Agreement for government to establish a partnership of government and civil society.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PLAN

  Public Accountability Plan

  The JLP will reform the public administration system to improve public accountability, reduce levels of corruption and increase efficiency.

#1 Establish a new agency, the Office of Public Accountability (“OPA”) in the Office of the Prime Minister to investigate all areas of administrative inefficiencies, incompetence and lack of accountability throughout the government. The OPA will address all administrative issues raised by public complaints and reports from the Ombudsman. The OPA will also use external auditors and consultants when necessary to avoid reliance on internal investigators.

#2 Re-establish the Office of Financial Accountability in the Ministry of Finance to ensure implementation of recommendations of the Auditor General, Public Accounts Committee or other constituted bodies dealing with financial administration.

#3 Strengthen the Financial Administration Act to address financial irregularities and mis-appropriations of funds. Provide more effective disciplinary procedures and harsher penalties.

#4 Strengthen the Financial Administration and Audit to provide for disciplinary sanctions for failing to follow prescribed procedures for effective public administration.

#5 Restructure the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure to reflect performance budgeting which sets physical budget targets and service objectives.

Local Government Reform Plan

The JLP will establish an effective, professional and service-oriented system of local governance for more effective representation of the people.

The JLP is committed to strengthening and improving the effectiveness of Local

Government

#1 Introduce legislation to establish four regional councils based on the County structure in Jamaica (Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey) and the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation. The new legislation will provide these County Councils with significant authority for regional infrastructure.

#2 Declare Portmore as an official city with the Portmore Municipal Council provided with legislative powers to govern and guide the development of Portmore.

#3 Launch a professional upgrading programme in association with select educational institutions in customer service and managerial training for all council members and officers to improve their ability to execute their duties more effectively.

#4 Amend the constitution to define the period for local government every years.  

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

& TRADE

ADVANCEMENT PLAN

  The JLP will pursue a foreign policy strategy designed to facilitate and encourage international trade as well as social and cultural cooperation with other nations to increase Jamaica’s productivity and economic growth.

The JLP is committed to ensuring that Jamaica’s interests are more effectively represented internationally

 Facilitate and encourage Trade

#1 Actively support the principles of globalization but within a framework of adjustment to critical and local circumstances which require special treatment.

#2 Vigorously support the establishment of the proposed Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) to provide increased scale and scope for Caribbean countries to play a stronger and more relevant role in the globalized economy.

#3 Strengthen and support the Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) to ensure that CARICOM’s and Jamaica’s interests are more effectively represented in international trade negotiations (e.g., Cotonou Agreement, World Trade Organization, and Free Trade Area of the Americas).

#4 Establish formal consultation and participation of the private sector and civil society in international trade negotiation to ensure a coordinated, comprehensive approach in articulating Jamaica’s interests internationally.

#5 Actively utilize safeguard mechanisms available under the World Trade Organization to provide interim protection of domestic manufacturing and agriculture as Jamaica works to increase the efficiency and productivity of these local sectors.

#6 Promote and support the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) while stressing the importance of implementing mechanisms to avoid the serious costs of the FTAA to small, open, vulnerable economies in the Caribbean such as Jamaica.

#7 Promote the involvement and interaction of overseas Jamaicans in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere by increasing the formal contacts with overseas Jamaican organizations and identifying ways in which overseas Jamaicans can play a more integral role in Jamaica’s developmental plans.

#8 Increase collaboration and working relationships with international and bilateral law enforcement agencies to increase mechanisms that will help to reduce the flow of drugs and guns into the country.

#9 Increase cooperation and collaboration with other nations to take the measures necessary to avoid and severely punish terrorist activity within Jamaica and elsewhere pursuant to the JLP’s strong commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms.

#10 Review various human rights treaties from which the current administration has withdrawn for proposed re-entry into these treaties to enable Jamaica to play an active role in promoting the protection of human rights under international conventions in Jamaica.