The Real Situation - A Taste of Jamaican Politics
This is an exciting time in Jamaican history right now. Jamaica wants to become a republic!
In each episode, The Real Situation gives you a taste of Jamaican politics, reasoning out the past, present and what lies ahead as we travel the road to becoming a republic, together.
Episodes
24 episodes
EPISODE 23 - PUSS AN DOG THEY GET TOGETHER
A Joint Select Committee meeting was held on April 2, 2025 but the words on many lips seems to be that Constitutional Reform is dead! Or is it? Join me, Melanie Byfield, as we look at whether a nine night needs to be held for...
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36:16
Episode 22 - Everything For The People, Everything By The People, And Nothing Without The People
To elect or not to elect a senator? That is the question - in addition to many more which were submitted to the Joint Select Committee by the public. Join me, your host Melanie Byfield, as we check out the real situatio...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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51:33
Episode 21 - The Road of Life is Rocky
The Joint Select Committee had impeachment on their mind during their February 26 and March 12 meetings - but did not have the mind to include the provision in the Bill for Parliamentarians.The Porsche still has 2 flat tires - the CCJ an...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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38:06
Episode 20 - We Know Where We're From
The Joint Select Committee held another meeting on February 19, asking how many generations should be able to claim Jamaican citizenship by descent? Join me, your host, Melanie Byfield, as we summarize this latest meeting and...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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22:04
Episode 19 - The Stone That The Builder Refuse
The Joint Select Committee held another meeting on February 6. Jamaican citizenship entered the discussion but the Opposition Leader didn't because he wasn't there. He's still on pause. The CCJ and The President are sti...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:08:09
Episode 18 - Time Will Tell
The Joint Select Committee has held 2 more meetings since the Opposition Leader announced their caucus is taking a pause. Why the pause - they have 4 questions they want the Prime Minister to answer, the main one being the position on the...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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53:42
Episode 17 - The Will of the People
The Joint Select Committee on The Constitution Amendment Republic Act, 2024 had their first meeting on January 15. Things are off to a bumpy start as plans are made to deliberate on provisions of the bill as well as inviting submissions f...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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41:57
Episode 16 - You Can Fool Some People Sometimes
Historic! Malahoo Forte tables Bill to amend Constitution to replace King Charles with Jamaican president! But what’s the benefit of having the Supreme law taken out but leaving the highest court? And there is no consensus on the hi...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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47:04
Episode 15 - Everyday is Work
The Constitutional Reform Committee's report is proposing an increase in Senators from 21 to 27. Do we need more senators?A senate appointment is for the life of the parliament - 5 years. The government represents the people...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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27:35
Episode 14 - We The Generation
There are currently 56 countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. In its May 2024 report, the Constitutional Reform Committee recommended amending the Constitution so that to sit in the Parliament of Jamaica the requirement should be Jamai...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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32:27
Episode 13 - Babylon System
The Constitutional Reform Committee recommended in its report that Jamaica should retain the parliamentary system of governance. The journey continues - please join me in my podcast as we discuss what retaining this system of governance c...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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36:35
Episode 12 - Yes Mi Friend. Wi Deh Ah Street Again
I am your host, Melanie Byfield and yes mi friend. Wi deh a street again. Is the Porsche moving. Look like its being pushed. It ah move still, but one problem though. Looks like we are heading down a dead end stree...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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30:15
Episode 11 - Resisting Against The System
Check out The Real Situation! We are in election mode! A by-election on September 30 in St. Ann NE and a general election due by September of next year; .With constitutional reform, this could be the last genera...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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18:12
Episode 10 - Do You Want More?
Check out The Real Situation!The 15-member Constitutional Reform Committee submitted a May 2024 report of recommendations which has been tabled in parliament as a Ministry Paper. From the discussions that are taking place, the pe...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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37:02
Episode 9 - Give A Little One More Time
During the Reasoning with Mr Orette Bruce Golding about Reform of the Jamaica Constitution and De-Linking from the British Monarchy at UWI on July 30, Mr. Golding showed a picture of Michael Manley and Edward Seaga signing the legislat...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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38:39
Episode 8 - Check Out The Real Situation
Check out The Real Situation - “We cannot say we are independent and still continue to have the King of our colonial past as our head of State or make laws that cannot become effective unless they are signed by the King’s representative...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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35:57
Episode 7 - We Can Make it Work
Happy Independence!Today, Jamaica is celebrating 62 years of political independence and is currently on a road to becoming a republic in order to secure independence 100% - executive, legislative and hopefully judicial. We m...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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22:03
Episode 6 - If You Listen Carefully Now, You Will Hear
Check out The Real Situation!The first Town Hall Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica took place at Emancipation Park on July 25, 2024. The Jamaican public have plenty to say. If you listen carefully now, you will hear.
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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30:11
Episode 5 - One J-A-M-A-I-C-A!
Check out The Real Situation!Jamaica's independence celebrations are drawing closer, and as the new winning Festival Song says, "we have come a long way, standing in a strong way!" We truly stand on the shoulders of some very stro...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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20:43
Episode 4 - I Want You To Straighten Out My Tomorrow
Check out The Real Situation!The Constitutional Reform Committee submitted a May 2024 report of recommendations which has been tabled in parliament as a Ministry Paper. The Leader of the Opposition, prepared a document outlining t...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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42:31
Episode 3 - Don't Forget Your History, Know Your Destiny
Check out The Real Situation!I am your host, Melanie Byfield joining you at a time when we are waiting for the issue of Jamaica’s final court of appeal to be resolved. So, that flat tire still needs to be fixed so we can...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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1:17:24
Episode 2 - Didn't My People Before Me Slave For This Country
Check out The Real Situation!The Constitutional Reform Committee have released their report but 3 signatures were withheld.https://mlca.gov.jm/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MEDIA-FULL-CRC-REPORT-MAY-2024.pdfWe may have a flat t...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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36:55
Episode 1 - An Introduction To Jamaica's Journey To Becoming A Republic
Check out The Real Situation!This may be the start of this journey for you and I, but Jamaica's journey to become a republic has already started. While it's not an easy road, we fully expect to reach the destination.I am y...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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17:52