Issue: Are parties dodging debates?

I have always welcomed healthy leadership debates that focus on the fundamental concerns of our country. They have helped to facilitate informed opinion on the preferred leader and political party.

It would seem, however, that despite the Jamaica Debates Commission's best effort to engage both major political parties to arrive at consensus ad idem on this issue, they have, instead, sought to indulge in delay tactics and manoeuvres, with an intention to seemingly circumnavigate the proceedings.

We should not be deprived of this mechanism to showcase our leaders' policies, vision and management capabilities. These prospects should be reminded that they are seeking the job to lead this country and we, the citizens of this country, are the ultimate deciding factor as to who is best able to take up this mantle.

pendulum swing possible

They should be reminded, too, that their party faithful do not constitute the masses of the voters and that the undecided and uncommitted, which represent a significant share of our citizens, can swing the pendulum in favour of the victor.

Among these very persons are objective thinkers who will vote based on the issues and not on any fired-up rhetoric. The debates facilitate a medium to convey their message. Therefore, I would urge both parties to take the opportunity to seriously reconsider their position.

We have tremendous challenges ahead. Therefore, the nation needs to hear a policy direction that will help stem corruption and mismanagement of our country's resources, factors which have devastated our Jamaica's ability to be productive.

We need to hear what those offering themselves will, and can, do to address these issues. So on with the debates!

ERROL MCLEISH

ermarlii16@hotmail.com

Portmore, St Catherine