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No seat in the House for the Diaspora The Prime Minister, Bruce Golding has described as absurd, the aspect of the constitution that allows a foreigner from a Commonwealth country to become a Jamaican Member of Parliament. He made the comment today while opening the Diaspora Conference. Mr. Golding also disclosed that the recent Supreme Court dual citizenship ruling had derailed plans for a seat in the Senate to represent the members of the Diaspora. Hundreds of delegates attending the conference, were told by the Prime Minister that there is an urgent need for discussion on the laws governing the eligibility of persons in the Houses of Parliament. Under the law an individual from a commonwealth country can be elected an MP once he has not sworn an allegiance to his country and has been living in Jamaica for a year. The Prime Minister said this aspect of the law was ridiculous. (Click here to listen audio clips) While in Opposition, Mr. Golding proposed that a seat be created in Parliament to represent the interest of members of the Diaspora. But Mr. Golding statement follow the Supreme Court ruling that the JLP's Daryl Vaz is not qualified to sit in Parliament because he was a US citizen at the time of the nomination for the last general election. At the same time The Prime Minister has encouraged Jamaicans living in the Diaspora to become more involved in the political process in the countries they now live. Mr. Golding said this would make it easier for the Government to hold discussions with other states on issues such as immigration. He has called for the registration of all Jamaicans living overseas. Mr. Golding said this would help Jamaica to better identify available skills overseas that may be needed here. More Articles
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