Holness and Phillips commit to frank and open discussions at Vale Royal Talks

Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips have committed to frank and open dialogue on pertinent national issues at the Vale Royal Talks, which resumed this morning after years of absence.

Addressing the media ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister Holness, who led a five-member Jamaica Labour Party team, said it is important for political leaders to come together to discuss contentious issues facing the country and build consensus.

"From our perspective, we see partnerships as an important part of the democratic process. We recognise that the Government of the day, regardless of the majority, needs to build strong partnerships with important stakeholders in the society," Holness said.

"The truth is … we are not having high-level participation and policies are more now being determined by interest groups and active stakeholders and if they operate without coordination we could have a situation where the outcome of the democratic process could be chaotic," he added.

Holness said the Vale Royal Talks, which is to facilitate discussions between the two main political parties, is a means by which political parties can sit down and discuss critical issues outside of the glare of the media and interests groups, not to conspire against the public, but to have frank and open dialogue.

For his part, Phillips, who also led a five-member People's National Party team, said the talks are important for building consensus.

"Effective governance depends as much as on our collaboration as it does on the competition and we must find a way to modulate our competition such that effective collaboration becomes feasible and effective in charting a course for the country,” said Phillips.

A statement issued yesterday by the Office of the Prime Minister said the matters to be discussed at the meeting include national security, electoral re-verification, and chairmanship of Parliamentary committees.

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