Prime Minister P

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson sent a letter to opposition leader Edward Seaga formally inviting the support of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in amending the constitution to make way for the resumption of hangings. In the letter the Prime Minister proposed that legal teams from the two sides meet to discuss the changes that would be necessary in order to ensure the constitutionality of the death penalty. "The passage of such legislation in Jamaica, as legislation to amend entrenched provisions of the constitution, would of course require the support, in both Houses of Parliament, of members of the opposition. I am, therefore, inviting your support in this matter and propose that teams of government and opposition attorneys meet to discuss issues concerning the legislation to be enacted, so that it may go forward as a joint effort of members on both sides of the Houses of Parliament," Patterson wrote.