Montserrat Conference Calls for Constitutional Review to Advance Self-Determination and Development
The annual Montserrat conference took place on Saturday (January 25th).
The online event attracted several high profile speakers including Premier the Honourable Reuben T. Meade, who spoke on the theme “From Framework to Function: the Role of a Constitution in Shaping Societies”.
Other distinguished speakers were Raulston Glasgow, a Judge in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Peter Thorton, a Caribbean-Canadian lawyer, Fred Lazar, Professor of Economics in Canada, and Shirley Osborne, former Vice-chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Chair of the Montserrat Conference Dr. Lanval Daly says many Montserratians are concerned that the island’s constitutional arrangements, as contained within The Montserrat Constitution Order 2010, do not support their right to self-determination.
He states that these provisions are actually a hindrance and impediment to the social and economic development of Montserrat.
Daley says the Montserrat Conference, takes the position that the Constitution Order must, therefore, be reviewed and rewritten so that it truly serves the economic development and social advancement of Montserrat.
Meantime Premier Meade says the constitution is not a perfect document but there is an opportunity to amend the document, which will require a two thirds majority in the Legislative Assembly.
Premier Meade explains the path Montserrat must to take to achieve full independence from the United Kingdom.
Premier the Honourable Reuben T. Meade.
The Montserrat Conference is a public policy research group.
It works collaboratively to identify policies, actions and resource needs that are vital to Montserrat’s redevelopment, ensuring they are the subject of focused examination and effective action by government, opinion leaders and the general public.