Jaevion Nelson | MPs need more resources for effective representation

We are not budgeting adequately for good governance and effective representation and that is seemingly making the work of politicians more difficult than it really should. It’s as if the effective representation and management of a constituency, with adequate human and financial resources aren’t (and have not been) a priority.

Over the last couple of weeks, during the State of the Constituency Debates, in Parliament, and in subsequent media interviews, members of Parliament have been shedding light on the difficulties they face implementing their roles and responsibilities. In an interview with Cliff Hughes, Rhoda Crawford, a first-time member of parliament (MP) for Manchester Central, shared extensively about the challenges she is forced to hurdle as a representative. She disclosed that she gets about $200,000 per month for her constituency office. This money is expected to cover the cost for rent and utilities and whatever other expenses there might be. In the interview she said that the place she found for her office (there isn’t a permanent constituency office), her rent was well over half of the available amount. She was lucky, over time, to negotiate with the landlord because of the work she has been doing to bring this down.

Typically, as I understand it, MPs get a driver, constituency secretary and are allowed to hire a project staff through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). There is no one with requisite training to provide support for the legislative aspect of the work (but there is a handful of persons at the Parliament that are available to assist all eighty-three parliamentarians in this regard). Crawford also said that the pay the driver receives is not enough given the level of work and long hours required to transport the MP to parliamentary sittings, parliamentary committees and around the constituency. I’ve spoken to a few MPs in the past and they’ve lamented about the transportation challenges. Sometime ago, one who represents one of the largest constituencies, by geography, told me that a significant amount of their salary goes to gas.

MORE RESOURCES

While not consistent in their advocacy for more resources, these are issues that MPs, from both the People’s National Party and Jamaica Labour Party, have raised several times in the past. In another radio interview, Tova Hamilton, a first-time MP for Trelawny Northern, spoke about about the challenges she too faces. Hamilton highlighted that, in addition to being present in her constituency and attending parliamentary sittings, she sits on 10 committees of Parliament. While all committees do not necessarily meet every week, this is a tremendous amount of work for which there is very little support.

Nah lie, it sound like dem a get basket fi carry wata.

Time has come for us to allocate resources for our members of parliament to be more effective. We are a little anxious (sometimes?) when the topic of politicians getting more resources is being discussed (especially if it’s about more pay but this isn’t about that). Admittedly, given how we have been subjected to ineffective representation, in many constituencies, and low levels of attendance to parliamentary sittings and limited participation in debates, among some politicians, this is understandable. Notwithstanding these concerns, we must ask ourselves some pertinent questions. How does one effectively represent the people if they lack the resources needed to do so? Why are parliamentarians generally silent about these challenges and how it impacts on their work? What advocacy have they done to ensure the allocations in the budget for their constituency office? Where or how do they source the support they need and is that reported anywhere?

This is a matter of good governance and accountability. I strongly believe that the lack of resources, in some way, contributes to the less than impressive representation many of us have been subjected to in constituencies. The government must recognise this is a serious concern that needs urgent attention. Yes, the fiscal space makes it difficult to fully resource MPs, but more needs to be done to improve the allocations and staffing to allow them to undertake their basic functions. Note, I don’t believe more resources is a panacea and will automatically make MPs effective. Perhaps, at this time, ahead of the tabling of the 2023/20224 budget, there is a critical need for an assessment to better understand the challenges and needs and provide clear recommendations on the way forward.

Let’s get serious about ensuring MPs can truly be effective in their representation and contributions at the constituency and parliamentary levels.

Jaevion Nelson is a human-rights, economic and social justice and inclusive-development advocate. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and jaevion@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter @jaevionn.