DABDOUB
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT for North East St. Catherine Abe Dabdoub put all speculations that he would cross the floor to join the People's National Party (PNP) to rest on Tuesday when he declared that he had no interest in becoming a member of any of the two major political parties, but vowed to continue representing his constituents as an Independent MP.
In a wide ranging presentation to the 2006/2007 Sectorial Debate in Parliament.
VISION FOR THE COUNTRY
Mr. Dabdoub painted a glowing picture of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and her vision for the country, admitting that he shared a similar dream for the development of Jamaica. However, his sentiments for his former party and its leader were far from complimentary.
Mr. Dabdoub said his resignation from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) after 16 years did not come lightly. The North East St. Catherine MP said over the years he has had differences with the leadership of the party on matters of policy and direction as well as matters of principle.
He suggested that under the leadership of Edward Seaga he was able to work with the party without compromising those principles. "That situation no longer obtained and hence my decision to extricate myself lest I became contaminated."
Describing the 2006/2007 Budget as transitional, Mr. Dabdoub said the Prime Minister inherited a Government at a time when her own policies and direction could have little impact on the Budget, which had been presented.
"It is not until next year that we can expect to see a Budget that will reflect the financial support necessary to effectively implement the policy direction she intends to pursue and on which she campaigned," he maintained.
CHARTER OF RIGHTS BILL
Turning to the Charter of Rights Bill, which was being reviewed by a Joint Select Committee of Parliament, Mr. Dabdoub urged the committee to complete its deliberations quickly so that the House can debate the issue.
Recognising the persons responsible for moving the bill along, the Independent MP encouraged his colleagues to invite former Prime Ministers, Edward Seaga and P.J. Patterson, to participate in the debate from "the bar of this Honourable House".
