As of Sep. 1, Montserrat’s new constitution will go into effect, according to the island’s Chief Minister, Reuben Meade, after five years of debate. “We recognize that many persons would have liked to see more radical changes,” he said. “However, this constitution improves upon the 1989 Constitutional Order and there is a mechanism for change where appropriate and justifiable.” The new document changes several aspects of the overseas territory’s relationship with the United Kingdom, along with some new offices. One is the Integrity and Complaints Commission, which will create an ombudsman’s office to deal with the public’s complaints about public officials or bureaucratic processes.
