It’s now official: two controversial constitutional amendment bills are back on the parliamentary Order Paper for Thursday, July 2, 2026. According to the schedule, the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill and the Constitution of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Amendment) Bill are set for their first reading.
This move comes less than three months after Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday pulled the legislation following a major public outcry. Back then, the Prime Minister gave the nation his word that the government wouldn’t move forward without plenty of public consultation and debate.
So far, though, none of those talks have actually happened. Bringing these bills back during Carnival season, when everyone is distracted, feels like a broken promise. Many see it as an attempt by Dr. Friday and MP Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble to change the 1979 Constitution after the fact just to protect themselves.
With these two controversial bills constantly appearing, being withdrawn, and then popping up again, many Vincentians are starting to wonder if Parliament is being used for political games rather than making laws.
If the bills were put on hold in April because more consultation was needed, then what has actually been done since then? If consultations were promised, it’s hard not to notice the total lack of reports, town hall meetings, or public feedback. These are basic questions that need answers in a democracy.
Opposition leaders, legal experts, and even some government supporters have argued that constitutional changes should never be made to interfere with active court cases. Meanwhile, government officials claim Parliament has the power to clear up confusing parts of the Constitution, but they agree it shouldn’t be used for any member’s personal gain.
In the end, Parliament’s credibility depends not just on the laws it passes, but on how honest the process is. The Constitution needs stability, not political maneuvering. People want consultation instead of confusion, and Parliament needs to be a respected place that builds national agreement rather than making constitutional fights even worse.