THE EDITOR, Sir:
I am writing in response to a very interesting letter which appeared in your publication on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 under the heading "The JLP is clueless".
This letter was in reaction to my call for the Prime Minister to assess the ability of the Minister of National Security to focus on the spiralling crime and murder figures in light of his other activities.
First, let me state that I made this request with neither malicious nor political intent. The Minister knows very well that I have no malicious intentions towards him, nor am I seeking to derail his campaign to become the leader of the political party he represents in Parliament.
My intentions were purely in the interest of the people of this country whom, I believe, have borne more than any normal society should be asked to bear in terms of participating in a democracy which should, at least, be able to provide them with an environment in which they can survive without the level of fear and anxiety that Jamaicans have had to contend with for the past decade.
the people's choice
The Government has established the case that it is the choice of the people and therefore has the right to govern as it chooses, outside of areas where, in its personal summation, the input of the Opposition is considered necessary.
This thinking is evidenced by the fact that despite the pleading of the Opposition, our proposals on behalf of the people have been railroaded on numerous occasions by the Government majority in both Houses of Parliament.
However, fortunately for us and the nation, the shameful level of crime and violence in our society has forced the Government to seek to accommodate the Opposition in recent discussions on bringing this monster under control.
These bipartisan talks and the results have been reported in the media on numerous occasions. Therefore, it is surprising that anyone following this issue could suggest that the Opposition believes that crime is a matter only for the Government to deal with.
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has acted very responsibly in this matter by fully participating in these bipartisan talks, and has made numerous suggestions, some of which have been the basis for legislation now before Parliament which we believe will aid the police in fighting crime, and has cooperated effectively with the Government in all areas in which we have been given the opportunity to contribute to the formulation of policies to deal with the crime and violence.
Government's failure
The failure of the Government by way of Parliament to enact these pieces of legislation with the urgency that they demand cannot be blamed on the Opposition either. It is Dr. Phillips who, as Leader of the House, has the authority to ensure that these Bills are debated on a timely basis and if necessary, the Government has a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate which it can rely on to ensure that they are passed even without our support.
And, incidentally, on the issue of the influence of deportees on the current climate of violence and crime, I have on the Question Paper of the House of Representatives, a number of questions seeking to clarify and make public the level of involvement of deportees in the current situation which I am waiting on the Minister of National Security to respond.
We have never suggested that crime is the responsibility of only Dr. Phillips and the Government. However, we have insisted that the Government must take the lead responsibility as they are now in power.
It is very interesting that an obvious supporter of the Government, in general and, Dr. Phillips, in particular, is proposing that the Opposition should "take the lead" in creating a vision for controlling crime and violence in Jamaica.
growing trust
I am very heartened by that kind of confidence in us as an Opposition and I believe that it is an indication of the growing level of trust in our ability to right these wrongs that ensures us victory at the polls whenever the next General Elections are called.
Finally, let me reiterate my concern that the numerous other duties of Dr. Phillips, including being the Leader of the House of Representatives and an active campaigner in a very competitive race to succeed P.J. Patterson, may be restricting his focus on controlling crime and violence.
Jamaicans deserve to have a Minister with enough time to concentrate on leading us in this crucial fight and not one who is being distracted by other issues.
I am, etc.,
DERRICK C. SMITH
Kingston
