The Golding-JLP Memorandum of Understanding

Bruce Golding (left) confers with Opposition Leader Edward Seaga in a sitting of the House of Representatives during the mid-1990s when Mr. Golding was chairman of the JLP. - File

THE JAMAICA Labour Party (JLP) yesterday announced that Bruce Golding has returned to the party.

The following is the memorandum of understanding which paved the way for the return of Mr. Golding to the Opposition party.

1. In order to ensure more effective control of the Executive by the Parliament, the JLP will re-examine the issue of separation of powers and, if it becomes the Government will ensure that this is included as one of the options to be placed on the ballot in a referendum and shall be held within two years of its becoming the government.

2. It is acknowledged that political tribalism and the culture of garrison politics have had a destructive effect on the society and the democratic process. The JLP, in consultation with other political parties and civil society organisations, will develop practical initiatives to ensure, as far as possible, the elimination of political tribalism. These initiatives will include the relevant recommendations of the Wolfe Task Force on Crime, the National Committee on Political Tribalism and the National Committee on Crime.

3. The existing legislative and administrative provisions dealing with corruption among public officials shall be strengthened by the establishment of a Special Prosecutor who shall be empowered to investigate and prosecute instances of suspected corruption among public officials, subject to the provisions of the Constitution.

4. In order to enable Members of Parliament to more effectively discharge their responsibilities to their constituencies, an adequate amount of the annual budget will be allocated to a special fund, which shall be divided equitably among the constituencies to finance projects at the constituency level on a phased basis, commencing with one and a half per cent in year one, two per cent in year two and two and a half per cent year three. Appropriate arrangements, to be supervised and reported to Parliament by the Political Ombudsman, will be made to ensure consultation with representatives of other political parties and community organisations in the selection and implementation of projects. Expenditures under this fund will be audited by a special unit to be established within the Auditor-General's Department.

5. All oversight committees of Parliament such as the Appropriations Committee, Ethics Committee, and the committees responsible for reviewing the performance of Ministries will be chaired by a member of the Opposition as is the case with the Public Accounts Committee. Special provision shall be made to require each committee to consider issues placed before it and supported by at least one-third of its members.

6. The Standing Orders will be amended to allow the Leader of the Opposition to make statements to Parliament as is the case of Ministers.

7. The JLP will re-examine the issue of term limits and a fixed election date in the context of the pending changes to the Constitution of Jamaica.