Dennie Quill, Contributor
Iam in agreement with many aspects of the proposal laid out by members of G2K, labelled the professional arm of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party, during their recent current affairs programme which was held under the theme: 'Reform of Constituency Representation'.
It is admirable that these professionals care enough about their country to invest the time and energy into formulating ideas and exploring new ways that they feel will improve our democracy. Too often people become disillusioned and withdraw from the process and seek their fortunes in supposedly greener pastures. So congratulations are due to G2K and all other such groups in Jamaica.
Chairman Charles Newby was somewhat halting in his presentation at the news conference, and he seemed unsure of himself at times, but he said some interesting things about the role of parliamentarians. Among the recommendations:
Constituency Councils
Members of Parliament should present a manifesto - hopefully, one that is realistic {and easily understood} and one that will be followed throughout the five-year term of office.
Members of Parliament should establish constituency councils - hopefully, not merely with handpicked supporters but including some of the best minds within the constituency.
Members of Parliament should produce a five-year development plan with a fixed annual budgetary allocation, and should be recalled if they fail to perform.
Take a drive around the island and you will quickly come to the view that Members of Parliament have largely neglected their constituencies. Many constituents never see their MP after an election campaign. And they can fill pages of a tome with broken promises, fish head politics and lies. After an election is over the Member of Parliament is there to serve everyone, including those who did not vote for him or her.
About dozen or so years ago, I attended a political function in St. Elizabeth and I was flabbergasted to learn that a vast number of the people did not know what their MP looked like, they were coming up to journalists and asking who was the MP - they asked "a him dat?" (referring to a member of the press corps).
Far from talking about making parliamentarians as welfare kings and queens, I am talking about forward thinking, development planning, growth, innovation and inspirational leadership. Parish councils, institutions of learning, churches, youth groups, non-government organisations, and communities will emulate strong parliamentary leadership. Great leadership infects people.
This beautiful island is fast becoming a dump with filth and garbage everywhere. Not so long ago tourists were treading through raw sewage in Ocho Rios. And we believe we can sustain record visitor arrivals with accumulated filth?
Remember Mandeville?
Where is the leadership? Many people will remember when the town of Mandeville was a model capital because it was squeaky clean and beautifully decorated. This was because Mayor Cecil Charlton demanded that those responsible for public cleansing and waste management do their jobs effectively. Why aren't Members of Parliament made to account to the House on their stewardship on an annual basis? If you are interested in seeing how our parliamentarians hold up under the pressure of an 8-hour workday, simply visit Parliament on a Tuesday afternoon. It is not unusual for members to be reading their mails, attending to utility bills, chatting to their colleagues, traipsing all over the floor. Is this what representation is all about?
Let us resolve that those who put up themselves for leadership have a clear vision of where they want to take us and have a blueprint for taking us there.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com.
