Prime Minister Holness Renews Call for Political Consensus on Violence
“If we don’t have political consensus, it could be very easily used for political advantage. The use of violence is so deep-seated in our culture that it has to take this kind of consensus to really make the change,” said Prime Minister Holness.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has called for political consensus on the issue of violence prevention in Jamaica. The Prime Minister said in a democratic society, change cannot be made unilaterally, consensus is required.
The Prime Minister made the remarks today (August 11) while addressing the first public presentation of the National Commission on Violence Prevention (NCVP) at Jamaica House.
Prime Minister Holness was keen on highlighting that this direction is necessary because the data shows that the increase in violence is creating more crime actors. However, the Prime Minister also said that a general agreement on how to deal with it would lessen the number of persons being prone to crime in society.
Prime Minister Holness said: “Let us create a space where the treatment of violence is not contested politically, and we share in the victory of overcoming violence.”
In addition, Prime Minister Holness shared key examples of how political consensus worked in the past to offer solutions to existential threats of the time. The Prime Minister listed the establishment of the Electoral Commission (ECJ), Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and the rules on fiscal management as national achievements born out of political consensus and bipartisan agreement.
“If we don’t have political consensus, it could be very easily used for political advantage. The use of violence is so deep-seated in our culture that it has to take this kind of consensus to really make the change,” said Prime Minister Holness.
Moreover, the Prime Minister stressed that change would not happen with the flip of a switch but would take time. Prime Minster Holness added that violence prevention will require strong leadership, working together to address the problem meaningfully.
Prime Minister Holness thanked members of the commission for undertaking the challenge of delving into the real issues surrounding violence in Jamaica.