Diaspora members in Jamaica Parliament? Debate resurfaces ahead of general election

The question of whether Jamaicans in the diaspora should sit in the nation’s Parliament is back in the spotlight, after the People’s National Party (PNP) unveiled its manifesto ahead of the September 3 general election.

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Under the pillar “Constitutional Reform for Sovereignty and Justice,” the party pledged sweeping changes, including replacing the British monarch with a Jamaican president, adopting the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final appellate court, introducing impeachment and recall provisions, and considering fixed election dates and term limits.

The manifesto also proposes expanding the Senate to include broader representation — not only from the Jamaican diaspora, but also from Persons with Disabilities, as well as the Rastafari and Maroon communities.

While many Jamaicans have welcomed the suggestion of giving Rastafari and Maroon groups a voice in the Senate, the idea of diaspora representation has sparked heated debate. Steven Golding, president of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, applauded the proposed inclusion of Rastafari and Maroon voices, saying it showed that the PNP was listening to long-overlooked communities.

But veteran journalist Dionne Jackson Miller drew a sharp line at diaspora representation in Parliament. Speaking on her YouTube channel, she said: “I draw the line that we must put a diaspora representative in our Senate which is part of our Parliament which passes laws for the country. Why are we talking about members of the diaspora, which by definition means people who don’t live here, into our Parliament to pass laws for those of us who live here?”

She added that she values the contributions of Jamaicans abroad, but believes recognition should come through awards and advisory roles rather than lawmaking authority.

That skepticism is also shared by ordinary Jamaicans. “Mi nuh believe people weh live a foreign fi deh pon we Parliament. Dem nuh haffi deal wid di crime, di bills, di bad road dem like we. How dem ago vote pon law weh affect mi everyday life, an dem nuh live it?” said Marcia Thompson, a shopkeeper in Half-Way Tree.

The debate touches on a long-standing constitutional issue. Under current law, Commonwealth citizens, including dual nationals, must reside in Jamaica for at least one year to be eligible for Parliament. However, Jamaicans with foreign allegiance to non-Commonwealth states, such as the United States, are barred.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has previously voiced support for allowing diaspora members to serve in Parliament — but not without limits. Speaking on CVM at Sunrise last year, he said: “I believe that the Jamaican Diaspora is much bigger than our Commonwealth … that we should allow persons with Jamaican citizenship to be able to serve Jamaicans in our Parliament politically. So for me, it doesn’t matter what other citizenship you have once you swear allegiance, being a Jamaican citizen, to Jamaica. That would be my stated position.”

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However, he drew the line at leadership roles: “To be the ultimate leader of a country, to be the ultimate executive leader of the country, you should have no other citizenship. There should be no question by your citizens that … you have somehow split loyalties.”

His remarks came amid controversy over PNP leader Mark Golding’s dual Jamaican-British citizenship, which he has since said he is renouncing.

Members of the diaspora themselves remain divided. Jamaican-American David Mullings, CEO of Blue Mahoe Holdings and a former member of Jamaica’s Diaspora Advisory Board, argued last year that the country must adopt a consistent position.

“The argument that it can’t be done or don’t know how is absurd. Just study countries that have diaspora reps in Govt and see what can work if that is the path chosen. Or ban ALL dual citizens and call it a day,” he wrote on X.

Others, like Christopher Johnson, a Jamaican-American businessman in Fort Lauderdale, welcome the idea. “I think it’s a great idea. Many of us in the U.S. still support family back home and invest in Jamaica. Having diaspora voices in the Senate would make sure our contributions and concerns are reflected at the decision-making level,” he said.

Beyond parliamentary seats, the PNP’s manifesto outlines several other plans to deepen diaspora engagement: partnering with diaspora networks and sporting bodies for funding and technical support, streamlining philanthropy to Jamaica’s health sector, establishing a national People’s Assembly with diaspora representation to help review laws, and encouraging diaspora participation in constitutional reform and public boards.

As the general election nears, the proposal has reignited one of Jamaica’s most polarizing questions — whether those living abroad should hold the power to shape laws at home.