THE EDITOR, Sir:

The young professional arm of the Jamaica Labour Party, Generation 2000 (G2K), under its new President Warren Newby, has laid out an eight-point plan to increase the accountability of Members of Parliament to their constituents. While some of the ideas reflect the party's views, G2K through its own research, has suggested additional points for public debate.

Jamaicans have long complained about the lack of visibility of their MPs. Some visit their constituencies quite infrequently throughout the five-year period without any clearly defined plan for the development of the constituency. Like the JLP, G2K feels strongly that representatives must remain accountable to those who elected them; and because we recognise this issue to be above tribal politics and more for the preservation of our democracy, we argue for the right of recall of non-performing MPs.

Candidates must present a manifesto before they are allowed to run, but equally important is that they must submit a five-year plan to Parliament which outlines the direction in which the constituencies will go. The time is long past where the sweet-talking 'Joshuas' and 'Fresh Princes' of this world make promises without being held accountable. G2K is suggesting that there be a tangible document against which representatives can be judged. In short, there must be a written contract with the people.

Good governance requires participation and involvement at every level by the stakeholders. In light of this, G2K suggests that the formation of community councils be paramount, allowing for the contribution of youth groups, citizens associations and all whose interests are being affected by decisions that are being made in Parliament.

Highly commendable is the fact that the party leader has also said, and G2K feels compelled to repeat the message, that all select committees of Parliament should be chaired by members of the Opposition. Added to this is that we need to create a culture in which backbenchers may challenge the government without fear of political death.

It is time to restore credibility to the political process and our democracy. It is time to give the power back to the people instead of having an MP operate as a king in a one-man kingdom.

I am, etc.,

HAROLD BRUCE

MALCOLM

bruce_26@hotmail.com

Publications' Director

Generation 2000

Via Go-Jamaica