Crime, corrupt politicians irk Jamaicans in UK

Crime and corruption in politics are the main areas that concern Jamaicans in England, an online survey conducted by United Kingdom-based interest group Facilitators For a Better Jamaica (FFBJ) has found.

High on the list of concerns also are issues relating to dual citizenship, voting by proxy, and the air-passenger duty.

The survey, conducted from December 2010 to January 2011, pre-dated the drop in murder rates in Jamaica that was recorded in the first quarter of 2011.

"Aside from the damage that high crime does to Jamaica's reputation abroad and to its citizens at home, crime rates are of more immediate concern to those abroad who are actively considering returning to Jamaica in the near future," the FFBJ said.

"In direct contrast, dual citizenship and overseas voting are of direct concern to Jamaicans abroad who are not planning to live on the island in the shorter term," the group added.

Respondents believe that lobbying within Britain was quite worthwhile. This lobbying could take the form of letters to (British) members of parliament, newspapers, and writing on Facebook, the survey showed.

Ways to help

Lobbying and investing in Jamaica were the two main ways the Jamaican Diaspora could help Jamaica.

Less than a quarter of respondents who supported lobbying and investing in Jamaica believe that remittances would be as effective in helping Jamaica.

The survey found returning to Jamaica was seen as a better option to remittances in helping Jamaica.

At the same time, the survey showed that Jamaicans in Britain keep abreast of news from Jamaica mostly by hearing from family and friends, followed closely by reading online.

"There is strong interest among Jamaicans living in Britain - some in investing in the country, some in lobbying for change at home and in Britain, and some in returning," FFBJ's assessment concluded.

Facilitators for a Better Jamaica is a think tank and lobbying group that specialises in being an effective voice with a mandate to speak up for Jamaica and Jamaicans' interests in the United Kingdom and internationally. Sylbourne Sydial and Stuart Taylor led the work on the survey.

- Carl Gilchrist