The Editor, Sir:

The Westminster system as it is called is a product of our colonial past. This system is not even used by England, in the form that it is presented to us. It is a product of an attempt to reform the English system by the Bryce Conference in 1918.

In the English system you have the House of Commons and the House of Lords. These two Houses ensure a separation of powers. Our Senate represents the House of Lords and as we all know the Senate acts simply as a rubber stamp for government legislation. The Lower House of course is equivalent to the House of Commons where all legislations are put forward.

Our system of government presents us with a dictator in the form of a Prime Minister for five years. The only check and balance within our system is the independence of our judiciary.

I have always been a firm believer in the fact that our Senate should be elected and that they should serve for a term no more than three years. Australia has made corrections to their so-called Westminster system and I believe it has served them well.

The Attorney-General's comment as reported was : "He said this is because the legislature may present one perspective on issues and pass laws to reflect that perspective, while the executive may have a completely different perspective."

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't this a good thing? Our history has clearly shown that there were many times when the executive perspective has been wrong. Then we the people suffer as a result. Being ruled by one perspective seems to me to be dictatorship. I for one do not agree with the perspective presented by our Attorney-General on this matter.

Separation of powers

The lack of the separation of powers between the legislature and the executive is a weakness within our Westminster system. Most politicians are only willing to recognise this weakness when they are in Opposition.

The people of Jamaica need more protection from the faulty perspectives that the executive may have. We should not have to resort to the blocking of roads and the burning of tyres to have our perspective being recognised.

An independent legislature with an independent Senate would serve us well. It has served the U.S.A well and one may argue that it is the greatest aspect of their political system. Why should I, as a Jamaican, be satisfied with less than the best?

I am, etc.,

COLIN CAMERON

nilocr@hotmail.com