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
33 episodes
Episode 2 - Which Way Will We Choose
Where in the world is Marlene Malahoo Forte - the only member of the old Cabinet who was dropped by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness. She had led the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs which was created to drive the constitution...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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21:28
Episode 1 - Don't Give Up The Fight
There is a fight brewing but it’s not against Jamaica becoming a republic. It’s a fight to put Jamaica’s journey to becoming a republic on a different road.Join me as we reason about the General Election and the future of Jamaica's...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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18:46
Episode 30 - Don't Sit There and Jester
60% of Jamaicans positively support adoption of the CCJ. During the Leadership debate, the Prime Minister finally confirmed the Government’s position on Jamaica’s Final Court of Appeal - Jamaica should have its own local Final Court of Ap...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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23:01
Episode 29 - It's You I'm Talking To
The Bill nuh dead. It is in a politically induced coma, waiting on the winner of the General Election to determine its fate. The date - September 3. Join me your host Melanie Byfield as we reason about the first of the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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26:33
Episode 28 - Baby Baby We've Got A Date
Baby baby we’ve got a date. Got 2 actually. Nomination Day - August 18 and the General Election on September 3.The Constitutional Reform Bill might be near death, but the election campaigning is very much alive.Join me...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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29:25
Episode 27 - It Takes A Revolution To Make A Decision
Happy Independence Day!After 63 years of political independence Jamaica is once again on the road to becoming a republic.But, the Bill is in limbo - possibly dead! Election time is near and so is the end of the current Parli...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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30:44
Episode 26 - In This Great Future, You Can't Forget Your Past
“I would rather die upon yonder gallows than live in slavery”. Those are the words of Samuel Sharpe, National Hero of Jamaica whose Baptist War contributed to the abolition of slavery.Join me, your host Melanie Byfield, as we...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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16:18
Episode 25 - Excuse Me While I Light My Spliff
In a Submission on the proposed Bill to amend the Constitution, Professor Hamilton, the Advocates Network, Jamaica Council of Chur...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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43:10
Episode 24 - Are You Satisfied With The Life You're Living
The review of The Constitution (Amendment) (Republic) Bill, 2024 by the Joint Select Committee (together with the political grandstanding and lecturing) are coming to an end. What's next - the Committee has prepared a draft report but is ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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38:34
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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Season 1
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Episode 23
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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