Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter

Deputy Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party Dr. Horace Chang (centre) waits his turn while Opposition Leader Bruce Golding (second right) makes his move during a domino match with JLP supporters in Moy Hall, St. James, on Saturday. Looking on is Member of Parliament for West Central St. James Clive Mullings (right). Mr. Golding and his team were touring sections of West Central St. James. - Photo by Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Constituency representatives can expect a levelling of the playing field with regards to monetary development under a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government, says Opposition Leader Bruce Golding.

Mr. Golding, who was speaking in the Moy Hall Parish Council Division of St. James on Saturday, as a part of his islandwide tour, said people must not blame the Councillors when development is thwarted in their communities because the system is set up against them.

"Sometimes you cuss the Member of Parliament and the Councillor because you no see nuttin a gwaan. It is the system they working with. It is not what is wrong with your Member of Parliament - it is what is wrong with the system," he said.

"You cannot get up one day and say you going to spend a $5 million to give Moy Hall ... you have to go to minister and beg. If him turn you down you walk up and down like a beggar not begging for yourself but for the people - Is a almshouse system and I am going to mash it up any day I take over the government of this country."

Access to funds

Mr. Golding said that he has already worked out a plan to ensure that every constituency regardless of their affiliation will get access to funds to develop their communities.

Mr. Golding lashed out at sections of the media which he says are accusing him of pandering to pork barrel politics.

"God judge me any day I am Prime Minister, Audley Shaw will have instructions from me ... when the budget to put together you take out 2.5 per cent and divide that 2.5 per cent equally among all the constituencies whether it is JLP MP or PNP MP," he said.

The Opposition Leader also commented that under a JLP administration all Members of Parliament would be required to table a five-year constituency development plan to which they will be held accountable.