EDITORIAL - How MPs can help reform the gangs of Gordon House

A week ago, we offered to the gangs of Gordon House a path to recovery from the organisations whose self-serving behaviour over the last half-century has kept us in underdevelopment, into political parties focused primarily on the national interest.

But while we hope that the leadership of the gangs, the governing Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party (PNP), will embrace our strategies for the modification of their institutional behaviour, we are aware that, ultimately, it is the actions of individuals that will lead to change.

It is in that context that we look to those members of the gangs who sit in Gordon House, the seat of Parliament, for the start of new behaviours to free them from the corrosive culture that gang membership demands.

We start with members of parliament (MPs), for two reasons.

First, we believe that most people who enter politics start with a genuine wish and intent to serve and to work for the development of the country. Unfortunately, along the way, high-minded intentions are overtaken by the code of the gangs, for which the interest of the group and the maintenance of power are their raison d'etre.

But, having secured parliamentary victory, an astute MP, especially if not overly driven by personal ambition and a quest for the trappings of office, has great opportunity for independence and the finding of his or her own voice. For, importantly, he has a platform from which to speak and be heard.

It is that platform which we hope that those parliamentarians who are fed up with the atrophying attitudes of the gang will begin to exploit.

For instance, MPs who have arrived at this position can represent their constituencies and speak on national issues without the constraining encirclement of the leadership of the gangs. National, rather than party, interest must be their priority.

They may also find it useful to develop expertise on specific subjects which they can address with rigour and independence, giving them autonomy and status independent of the gangs.

time to renew dedication

They should make the effort to study the bills, which will equip them to make informed, rather than follow-the-crowd and partisan interventions during debates. Having done the homework, MPs must also be willing to table private members' motions on bills and insist that they be debated, whatever may be the accommodations between the gang leaderships in the legislature. But having their way will require they know and understand the nuances of the rules of the legislature, often used by the leaders to stifle contrarian ideas or dissent, and apply them to the benefit of reform.

In this regard, Mr Ronald Thwaites, of the PNP, is an example of what is possible by a determined and dedicated MP, but his is too lonely a voice in the House.

It is a suggestion, therefore, that those backbenchers, wishing to secure their autonomy, whether on their own side or across the aisle, should form caucuses to provide additional platforms from which to address issues.

MPs who embrace our suggestions will find a Jamaica which is both better and grateful for their efforts.

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