S.Atlantic : New Constitutional Change Co-ordinator Speaks Out
Submitted by SARTMA.com (Juanita Brock) 05.10.2004 (Article Archived on 19.10.2004)

The draft of a new constitution for St. Helena was published in July. It’s a long document, which guarantees the rights and freedoms of St. Helenians and sets out the powers of the Governor, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

NEW CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE CO-ORDINATOR SPEAKS OUT

A Report for BBC World Service “Calling the Falklands” by Dee Palmer (DP) 10/01/04

The draft of a new constitution for St. Helena was published in July.  It’s a long document, which guarantees the rights and freedoms of St. Helenians and sets out the powers of the Governor, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.  A period of public discussion will be followed by a referendum, when all St. Helenians will have their say on whether it should be adopted.  It’s all part of the policy of the British Government to modernise constitutional arrangements and enshrine accountable, democratic structures in all its overseas territories.  I’ve been speaking to Tony Green (TG), St. Helena’s recently appointed Constitutional Change Co-ordinator.  I first asked him what his job involves.

TG:  Well, I was recruited about two weeks ago to support the development of constitutional change but I have been given an initial task to concentrate on public relations.

DP:  What stage are we at now as regards constitutional change in St. Helena?

TG:  That is something I myself am trying to sort out because before I came to the job, the Public Relations Office here issued a notice to say that a referendum would be held early October.  Now, there is no legislation in place and so it’s certainly not going to happen in early October.  But what I think will happen is that they probably will have a chance to express their support for a new Constitution or not.  But I am in a discussion later today to try and bring all the threads together to find out exactly when it will happen and how.

DP:  And, what will TV and Radio play in encouraging dialogue, debate, discussion in the new Constitution?

TG:  We have already started that because there are four television programmes going out now, with four panellists looking at different aspects of the Constitution as drafted.  There is also a plan to have future TV programmes to try and give the pros and cons of the new Constitution.  And, next week, there will be a TV discussion.  Three notable people will be coming on and expressing their views and there will be a continuous process of TV and radio discussions to try and give people a feel for what the benefits of the new Constitution as opposed to changes made  (amendments) made to the current one.

DP:  Now, it’s all very well for officials or elected politicians to go on radio and TV and discuss these matters.  It’s quite another for that to engage the general public.  But are people getting involved in these discussions? Are they sending in questions, for example?

TG:  There is a small portion that are actively engaged now.  I went to a constituency meeting last night and the attendance was small.  But the message has to get out and it’s trying to attract people that’s the difficult part.  And, one thing I’ve targeted is every type of forum that I can operate in order to encourage people to come and find out about it.  Now, we are doing this in the constituencies and we are doing other public meetings, contacting organisations, companies, and departments.  We are also looking at Social and work groups.  And, I am also offering anyone anywhere the opportunity to ask me to come and chat with them together with anyone else who can make a contribution.  Because I believe that my task will be fulfilled if, when the time comes for people to vote, they can actually do so with having the best information available.

DP:  And, how will you be able to reach out to St. Helenians on the Falklands or in Britain and engage them in this debate?

TG:  That’s actually happening at a discussion with the Governor this afternoon.  Because, I have been asked initially to concentrate on the Island and I would like to include the Falklands, Ascension and other places.  They need to be brought in pretty fast.  How do we have a battle plan in order to engage that? 

DP:  And, would you welcome, say, e-mails from Saints in the Falklands with their thoughts on how to do it?

TG:  Most definitely.  I will want to make contact with the Falklands very shortly.  I would like to hear from everybody because I am also feeding back opinions to the Legislative Council because it’s only when the British Government know there is a majority who favour the new Constitution that it will be brought in.

DP:  Now, from the debate and discussion taken place so far, what are the main sticking points or areas of contention over the new Constitution?

TG:  What I discovered over the last week or so is the main problem is insufficient time.  The Constitution, as you mentioned earlier, is not something that people talk about every day so they need lots and lots of time, particularly around St. Helena to try and gage what’s in it for them.  Because that’s what the man in the street wants to know.  How will it improve, will it be better than the current Constitution?  And, that needs time and is an exercise that I, with the Councillors and other people will be working over during the next few months, if time will allow.

DP:  But do you think the British Government understand that because I know at last week’s Overseas Territories Consultative Council, the issue of Constitutional Reform was raised.  And, the British Government seemed very keen to push this forward as quickly as possible.

TG:  I understand that but I also made it clear, as far as I am concerned, that they will not press ahead until St. Helena is ready.

DP:  If you have any thoughts on ways of encouraging this important debate, Tony will be very pleased to hear from you.  His e-mail address is: constitution@helanta.sh.

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