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Politics of Jamaica

The politics of Jamaica occurs in a structure of a representative parliamentary democratic monarchy. A parliamentary system based on the United Kingdom model was established by 1962 constitution. Queen Elizabeth II as a chief of state appoints a governor general on advice of the prime minister who is her representative in Jamaica. However, the governor general is largely ceremonial. The executive power is vested in the cabinet that is headed by the Prime Minister. The government exercises executive powers. Jamaica is an independent state with a parliamentary democracy with its political and legal traditions being similar to that of United Kingdom. Legislative powers are vested in both the parliament and government. A bipartisan joint committee of legislature of Jamaica drafted the current constitution of Jamaica in 1962. The Judiciary is independent of the legislature and the executive (Margaret).

Jamaica has two major political Parties including the Jamaica Labor Party and People’s National Party among other small parties. Jamaica Labor party was formed under the leadership of late William Alexander Bustamante in 1943. JLP was elected to govern in the first election that was held under constitution in 1944. Other following terms in office were 1949-1955, 1962-1972, and 1980-1989. The People’s National Party was created in 1938. Norman Washington Manley who was a barrister emerged as the leader. In 1955-1962, the People’s National Party formed the government and again in 1972-1980. People’s National Party espoused democratic socialism under Michael Manley’s leadership. It also aligned Jamaica closely with Fidel Castro’s socialism. In 1965, Bustamante semi-retired, this is because of illness as the leader of Jamaica’s Labor party. Hugo Shearer led the group to election victory of 1967. He remained as the prime minister up to 1972. Norman Manley led the PNP throughout 1960s. His son, Michael Manley took over after his death in 1960. Manley retired in 1992 due to health reasons. Patterson stepped in as his successor where he called for an early election in 1993. He was the first “black” prime minister to be elected in Jamaica (Payne 75). In 1993, 52 PNP and eight JLP members returned to the house. Patterson was re-elected again in 2002 with continued support of his party PNP. Patterson stepped down in 2006 with a new president being elected from PNP party taking over. Portia Simpson Miller was elected at this time being the first female prime minister of Jamaica since she joined politics in 1970s (Richard 132).

The current prime minister is Bruce Golding who has been holding office since September 2007. He was elected on Jamaican Labor Party. Parliament is made of elected House of Representatives and Senate. Political powers are within parliament, which constitutes a House of elected members who represents 60 constituencies and 21 members’ senate. Thirteen Senators are nominated by the prime minister with the other eight nominated by the leader of the opposition. This is because two-thirds majority of both chambers is required for major amendments of constitutional. This offers a consensus requirement for important change. General elections are held within five years towards forming a new government. There must be a minimum of two members and maximum of four members of cabinets selected from the Senate (James 121).

In the last Jamaican House of Representatives elections, Jamaican Party led by Bruce Golding won with 410,438 votes and 32 seats. This was 50.3 percent of the total votes. People’s National Party led by Portia Simpson-Miller was second with 405,293 votes and 28 seats; this was 49.6 percent of total votes. Other parties included National Democratic Movement, Independents, Imperial Ethiopian World Federation Incorporation, and Jerusalem Bread Foundation Parties that gained 354, 220, 192, and 9 votes respectively. None of these parties won any seat. British divided Jamaica into parishes for administrative reasons. The 14 parishes include Kingston, Clarendon, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Mary, Trelawny, Clarendon, Manchester, Saint Andrew, Saint Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Saint James, Saint Thomas, and Hanover. Each parish has an elected parish council that initially was composed of prominent local citizens. However, they are currently composed of Parish Councils responsible for local government services administration. Recently, central government has taken over those responsibilities with others becoming privatized (Edward 45; Francis 78).

There is review of Jamaican Constitution by a constitutional Commission that is comprised of political parties, independent parties, and legal experts’ representatives. Among the proposed amendments, include replacement of The Queen with President as the Jamaica as well as creation of a republic. The prime minister is the most crucial member of the cabinet. He is also the acknowledged head of the major party. The governor general selects the party leader who is favored by the majority of members in the house. The prime minister chooses other members of cabinet from the parliament. He also directs the arrangement as well as conducting the cabinet business. He is also the chief spokesperson of the government both at home and abroad. Prime minister also controls over the foreign policy. The prime minister can only be removed from the office by stopping to be a member of the House of Representatives, through resignation, and being given a vote of no confidence by the majority of House members (Kathleen and Glen 78).

Works Cited

Edward, L. The History of Jamaica, Or, General Survey of the Antient and Modern State of That Island. New York: General Books LLC, 2009.

Francis, K. Government and power in Jamaica. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2006.

James, M. Jamaica: its past and present state. Michigan: the University of Michigan, 2005.

Kathleen, E. and Glen, R. Jamaica in slavery and freedom: history, heritage, and culture. West Indies: University of the West Indies Press, 2002.

Margaret, Morris. Government and politics. 24 Nov. 2007. 22 Oct. 2010. http://www.discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/discover/tour_ja/govpol.htm

Margaret, Morris. Government and Politics. 18 Oct. 2007. 22 Oct. 2010 http://www.discoverjamaica.com/govpol.htm

Payne, Antony. Politics In Jamaica: Revised Edition. Kingston: Ian Randle Publishers, 2008.

Richard, K. Jamaica. Kingston: Lonely Planet, 2008.

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