MPs need soul-searching
published: Tuesday | November 18, 2003

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IN READING Lloyd Williams' piece on political affiliations and the JLP's current election cycle to elect new leadership, I am more than a little surprised to note that not one of those persons seeking to be elected to significant positions within their political party, mentioned the need for leadership on a level beyond the partisanship, traditionally displayed by both political parties.

I would have thought that they must abe aware that the nation is watching. For some to say that they are in politics only to win, and that those who get second are left out, is very shallow, and indicates to me the calibre of individual within the political system. We as a nation need to do some soul-searching about having our constitution allow such men near our parliament building much less having them represent Jamaica in the world.

Here, we have Jamaica being battered from pillar to post by global issues causing a significant brain drain, constant failure of our economy, and woefully inadequate health, education and infrastructure, yet those within the main political parties cannot recognise that it is they in the individual political parties, who will have to provide a political structure within their party to deal with these national issues. At least they could tell us how they believe they can attune their party to best deal with the aforementioned challenges, should they be elected as chairperson, general secretary or otherwise.

I am, etc.,

H.M. DUNBAR

hmd-energy@erols.com

6010 Boulevard east

West New York

New Jersey

Via Go-Jamaica