The government has begun steps towards possible constitutional reform with Cabinet’s approval of a new Constitutional Review Committee.
Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin said the panel will assess whether Antigua and Barbuda’s Constitution remains fit for purpose more than four decades after Independence. The supreme law has seen little amendment since it took effect in 1981.
The committee, chaired by Sir Steadroy with Queen’s Counsel Justin Simon as deputy, will include members drawn from civil society, the legal profession and non-governmental organisations.
Its work will focus on identifying provisions that could be amended without a referendum, as well as flagging broader issues for national discussion. These include the future of the country’s two-chamber Parliament and whether religious leaders should be eligible to contest elections.
The Antigua and Barbuda Constitution Reform Group, led by attorney Ralph Bowen, will have a dedicated seat on the committee, which is expected to begin its work in January.
Sir Steadroy also acknowledged that past reform efforts, including the referendum on the Caribbean Court of Justice, may have been affected by limited public education on constitutional issues.
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I will definitely participate. Also have a committee that studies the cause and impact and frequent inherently dangerous crimes occurring and how to stop them. Focus people, focus. I do not see the king currently robbing and killing us but current crimes are doing that right now that AG Steadroy Benjamin says is not a problem you are being assaulted, battered, robbed, kidnapped, home bulglarized, because as long as it impacts only you the locals, then Antigua and Barbuda is the safest place in the caribbean. As your safety and security doesn’t count/matter.
Separating yourself from the UK will only make matters worse. You can’t have leaders like this and be completely attached from major and more developed countries with numerous watchdogs.
@My way of helping, aren’t you paying attention to the rise of racism, riots and discrimination going on in the UK at present?
Furthermore, there’s a right wing party called ‘Reform’ who are ahead in many polls that predict they’ll form the next government at the next General Election – no wonder many educated, black professionals, and business men and women are leaving the UK for a peaceful and more fulfilling life.
Do your research nah!
And also, hanging on to an outdated monarchy that has hounded out the only black woman, because she married King Charle’s son Harty is beyond bigoted ignorance; and you are telling Antiguans that “Seperating […] from the UK will only make matters worse…”
Look boss, if you need REAL facts and figures, abd not hearsay, just ask me…
@Brixtonian, notice how I worded my sentence, “I do not see the king currently killing us”. Meaning I anticipated response like yours and say I am taking the lesser of the evil. There are international watchdogs with the Privy Council as the last court. While there is 0 in Antigua and Barbuda.
You have to understand that they facts you say you have, I have, but have analyzed it. And the conclusion is, it makes no sense at this time, to remove the United Kingdom from the United Islands of Antigua and Barbuda.
So always listen to the “boss” ha ha ha ha. They are usually in charge for a reason.