Talk is cheap, especially in Opposition
Published:Thursday | July 29, 2010 | 12:00 AM
The Editor, Sir:
Why is it that only when politicians are in opposition do they have great ideas to move this country forward? Listening to excerpts of Dr Peter Phillips' contribution in Parliament recently reminded me of how much I used to respect and applaud prime Minister Bruce Golding when he was in opposition - when talk was cheap!
If Dr Phillips does all that is required to forward the proposals he made, I promise to forgive him for having been a senior minister with immense power for decades yet doing to nothing to stop the reality that "those who play by the rules get shafted" - which he recognised and articulated .
Notwithstanding, the entire country, and especially the vocal and influential civil society needs to support Dr Phillips' proposal that the Electoral Commission develops "fit and proper" criteria, for persons running for office at both the local and central government levels.
I would suggest we go even further, for some dons and others are smart enough not seek power for themselves, but influential enough to determine who represents their constituency or even parish and end up as legislators. And, it is not only in the garrisons that this type of influence is being wielded for I can recall media reports in both Manchester and St Ann to the effect that the "mid-island don" and a "powerful one" in St Ann had endorsed candidates from time to time. Shouldn't the criterion be that those endorsed by the dons be also not considered "fit and proper"?
Corruption fighting
Dr Phillips also endorsed the suggestion of the contractor general that the Integrity Commission, Corruption Commission and Office of the Contractor General be amalgamated to become an effective corruption-fighting institution. Civil society also needs to add its support to this suggestion, for apart from the contractor general's office, the others are not being effective, although they have enormous powers. And while they are at it, they should ensure that "fit and proper" means loyalty to Jamaica only, and no exceptions for Commonwealth citizens.
I am, etc.,
JOAN WILLIAMS