Jamaica’s PM appointed to Privy Council

(CMR) The Cayman Islands Government has offered its congratulations to Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness on his recent appointment to the UK's Privy Council. Honorable Speaker of the Cayman Islands Parliamentary McKeeva Bush, during the first business sitting of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, 14 July, said:

“It gives me great pride and distinct pleasure to learn of his installment by Her Majesty the Queen to the Privy Council…It was commendable to have read that Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve that the Prime Minister be appointed a member of Her Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council. Evidently, this sends a clear, strong, and convincing message of the caliber and erudite mind which the Privy Council seeks and will rely on for guidance and advice.”

“The Prime Minister is beyond doubt  a stalwart and a nation builder  who will be able to analyze, distill and deliberate on difficult issues which the  committee may face and make cogent and rational decisions and recommendations for the better good of governance.”

Bush noted that it had been some time since a leader of the Caribbean has been appointed to the Privy Council. He described the appointment as “a significant achievement,” adding that Prime Minister Holness will be able to represent the Caribbean and diaspora.

“His influence and decisions can be far-reaching and can have regional and international impact,”  he said.

Governor General of Jamaica Sir Patrick Allen announced PM Holness's appointment last week. In a statement issued, he said:

“Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve that the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, Prime Minister of Jamaica, be appointed a member of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council.”

The accepted form of address of the Prime Minister as of today will be: “The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, Prime Minister.”

According to the Jamaica Information Service, the appointment became effective on May 26, 2021.

Prime Minister Holness is to attend a meeting of the Privy Council, at the first convenient opportunity, in order to take the oath or affirm in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen.

The Privy Council has approximately 700 counselors. The majority are senior politicians, including ministers of the UK cabinet, the Leader of the Opposition, the leader of the third-largest party in the House of Commons (UK’s parliament), senior politicians from Commonwealth countries, members of the Royal Family, a few judges from British and Commonwealth countries, clergies and a small number of senior civil servants.

Prime ministers of some Commonwealth countries that retain the Queen as their head also continue to be appointed to the council.