Time for Constitution change now

THE EDITOR: A TV clip showed an MP berating an opposition MP for wanting Constitution change now but not when they were in power. All that is politics. What is important is that both parties agree on Constitution review now: The Opposition champions it for whatever reasons; the PM wants to move Parliament from the Red House because he anticipates the need for more space through demands of the new Constitution. What we really need now is action. With the unity of vision of Government and Opposition, why the delay in getting the Commission going?

The question we must ask ourselves is, “In what areas has the Constitution failed us and, therefore, what changes are necessary?” It is to discuss and decide on this that we need a Constitution Commission, and we must start now. We can’t wait till the eve of General Election to hustle some kind of something or postpone it again and again.

Some say we need no change, “we like it so”. Some say we should make little adjustments, see how they work, then make other changes later on. Some say big changes are needed now. After forty years of operating this Constitution with its philosophy and its results, we must have an idea of its strengths and weaknesses and of the Constitution that should help create a better world for ourselves and our children. But we shall not know, shall we, until we discuss it through a Constitution Commission.

VAN STEWART
Diego Martin