PRIME MINISTER OF ST VINCENT and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves
PRIME MINISTER OF ST VINCENT and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, does not believe there should be a referendum on St Lucia’s decision to ascend to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
On Tuesday, October 11, the Lower House of Parliament will meet and one bill down for consideration is an Amendment to the Constitution of St Lucia.
The government will seek to amend the Constitution to remove the Privy Council in order to have the CCJ as the country’s final Appellate Court.
However, there have been calls for a referendum on the matter, but Gonsalves does not think one is needed.
There is no requirement in the case of St Lucia for a referendum, just a two-thirds majority in parliament.
“Unless pledges were made for that to be done, there is no particular reason why you should have it in a referendum,” Gonsalves said.
Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, as a campaign promise to the electorate, vowed to place constitutional reform at the forefront, beginning with severing ties with the British Privy Council and making the Caribbean Court of Justice Saint Lucia’s final appellate jurisdiction.
“After 43 years of Independence, it is time for Saint Lucia to demonstrate confidence in regional jurists and the CCJ’s ability to provide fair, equitable, independent and affordable access to justice,” said PM Pierre.
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