INDEPENDENCE DAY 2003 MESSAGE

FROM THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

THE MOST HON. EDWARD SEAGA, ON, PC, MP

As we celebrate another Independence Day on August 6, we should reflect that independence has a different meaning for different people in Jamaica. Primarily, this is because only a relatively small number of people are alive today who were at a stage of maturity at the time when the struggle for independence was in force, some 40 years ago. As a result, few remember the nature and purpose of the struggle.

Between the late 1950s and early 1960s, a national debate raged on whether it was better for Jamaica to surrender its own claim to sovereignty in order to be part of a larger group of island states, which would form an independent nation, the Federation of the West Indies; or, alternatively, should Jamaica seek to be an independent sovereign nation on its own.

Many arguments for and against were heard in the popular debate, until the query was settled by the holding of a Referendum to decide the issue. In that Referendum of September 19, 1961, as we all know, the people voted decisively for Jamaica to seek independence on its own as a sovereign nation. This was achieved on August 6, 1962, which we now celebrate as Independence Day.

The question of Jamaican sovereignty has still not been put to bed. It is beginning to surface again as the movement for deeper regional integration moves into sharper focus. The debate is now taking on emotional overtones as many see integration of the English speaking Caribbean as an emotional goal which will tie together the collective heritage of Caribbean people.

Those of us who argued against emotional reasoning in the pre-independence period and sought to lift Jamaica out of the mix with the supreme self confidence t hat we could be a nation on our own, will still resist any attempt to derogate from our sovereignty.

Jamaica has the population size, land mass and the resources which would be the envy of many countries. We are strategically located next to the world’s richest market place which is in itself an abundant resource. With these assets we can still make it on our own, once we rid ourselves of the wrong policies which stand in the way of progress and have caused us to falter.

In short, we have the right mix of resources and strategic location to be a truly successful nation. Jamaica has no reason to be poor.

In standing independently on our own ambitions, it must never be thought that we are rejecting integration with our sisters and brothers of the Caribbean. It is not that we love them less, but that we love Jamaica more!

This Independence Day is a time to reflect on the depth of our own nationalism and to resolve with a renewed commitment to uplift Jamaica and put Jamaica first.

Edward Seaga

July 29, 2003