Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

"They are hypocrites!" That was the strongly expressed opinion on Jamaica's politicians, coming from a group of young people yesterday at a Gleaner Editors' Forum.

The youths, who are of voting age, and from inner-city communities in the Corporate Area and St. Catherine, called for more political leaders who are dependable, loyal and caring.

In the absence of that, they said, many young people will continue to turn their backs on the political process.

"Some of these politicians meet with the leaders of gangs and leaders of the inner-city communities. When someone is killed they know who to send the police for but they do nothing. They are hypocrites, and then they want my vote," one outraged young man said.

If and when these issues are addressed, the participants noted that they would be more inclined to vote in general elections.

Reform

"There needs to be a reform of the political system where politicians are held accountable to their words and actions," a young woman said.

Another participant called for a two-term limit for the country's prime ministers, drawing on the American presidential model.

"You shouldn't have one person or a party just ruling the country on and on like that," one male said.

The promise by the Jamaica Labour Party to abolish school fees was not fully embraced by the sceptical young people, who cited that similar promises in the past had not been fulfilled.

"The leaders of the country have no integrity. They say they are going to do something and don't do it," one young woman said.

She further stated: "When I was seven years-old a politician promised me a bicycle, now I am in my 20s, and I have seen her at every stage of my life, at least three times since then and I have asked her about the bicycle. The last time a couple of years ago she told me that I was not persistent enough and that's why I didn't get it".

One young man, expressing an interest in voting for a party other than the one his garrison community has traditionally supported, said he was fearful of doing so, lest his 'betrayal' be discovered.

The recent passage of legislation outlawing open voting, has done nothing to comfort the young man, as, according to him, the lawmakers are far removed from his garrison reality.

"In the inner-city if someone says to you show me who you vote for and you don't, I sorry for you!" he said.

Meanwhile, the participants all agreed that if Jamaicans stand together and love their country first instead of political parties, the island could be better.

"Jamaicans don't see themselves as Jamaicans but as JLP and PNP (and that's why people kill off themselves," one young man said.

shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com