Golding vows to make Cabinet ministers’ financials public

By: Kimone Francis

Image caption: Opposition Leader Mark Golding, the president of the People’s National Party.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding is pledging additional changes to the Integrity Commission Act that would make public the financials of Cabinet ministers, a move he said is a sign of good governance.

Addressing a throng of People’s National Party (PNP) supporters in Musgrave Square in Brown’s Town, northwest St Ann, Golding said all members of the executive must have a summary of their statutory declarations published.

Noting that under the act only the financials of the prime minister and leader of the opposition are made public, the PNP president said this is unacceptable.

“That nuh make nuh sense to me. Every member from the executive who is in government, they should have to have the summary of their declaration published as a matter of course,” said Golding.

“That is what good governance requires and the next PNP government is going to deliver good governance to the people of Jamaica,” he said.

Under Section 42(3) of the Integrity Commission Act, a summary of the declarations of both the prime minister and the leader of the opposition must be published and gazetted.

It states: “Where, upon examination of a statutory declaration, the director of information and complaints is satisfied that the statutory declaration has been duly completed, he shall so inform the commission and the commission shall – (a) cause to be issued to the public official or parliamentarian, as the case maybe, confirmation thereof in writing; (b) notwithstanding the provisions of section 56, cause to be published a summary of the statutory declaration made by the prime minister and the leader of the opposition in the Gazette.”

Government members of the joint select committee of Parliament reviewing the legislation have pushed back against aspects of the law and work of the commission, suggesting that they are invasive.

Privy Council

Golding also said a government led by him would repatriate Jamaica’s final court, noting that the Privy Council is inaccessible to the average Jamaican.

“It is not a real court for Jamaica because you have to be a multimillionaire and you have to have a UK (United Kingdom) visa as well, which you don’t necessarily must get. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was established 20 years ago. It’s fully funded by a trust fund which Jamaica paid part of the money for,” he said, adding that “it is well protected from political interference”.

He said full sovereignty and republic status mean a separation from the Privy Council and the adoption of the CCJ as Jamaica’s apex court.

“We hope the Jamaica Labour Party can remove the veil from their eyes,” he said, noting that it was former Prime Minister Hugh Shearer who floated the idea of a regional final court in the 1970s.

“And yet, nuh them a give it a fight. It nuh make no sense, people. We want full sovereignty. We want full independence. We want decolonisation and we want it now. That is what we stand for in the People’s National Party.”

He urged supporters to not just vote for the PNP but for themselves, families and future.

Hiding from the polls

He chided Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness for delaying the announcement of a date for the general election, insisting that the JLP leader is hiding from the polls.

“Election must call because, if him don’t call it, the Constitution will call it and we’re going to vote them out because the people deserve better. Time come for a better life,” he said.

At the same time, PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell said Holness has hesitated to call the general election because he is staring defeat in the face.

He also accused the Holness-led Government of breaking ground for the same developments multiple times, calling this an election ploy.

“We are now at the 24th of July. The election due by the 3rd of September. Him carry it right down to the wire because when him look inna St Ann, when him look inna St Mary, him look a Portland, him look a St Thomas, him come a town him nuh see nowhere him can win this election,” said Campbell on Thursday.

“Who you know could win an election and don’t call it? The reason why the prime minister has not named the date is because him know that him can’t win and I am telling you tonight, from Musgrave Square, that it’s not going to be 32 or 33 or 34 or 35 or 36 or 37 or 38. We a go give them a beating,” he said, evoking deafening cheers from flag-waving supporters clad in orange.