The Editor, Sir:

No Jamaican citizen has a voice in the direction of their affairs. We are disenfranchised and ostracised, alienated even, from any real representation in the decision-making of our life and future.

In Jamaica, political representation and true governance is not about the people or their ideas and lives; it is concerned with a select few and what they think and want. Unfortunately, the Members of Parliament are not the people's voices in Parliament, but the representatives of their party. The political representatives only embody their party in the constituencies.

This kind of politics/ governance is best described as socialism, where the government chooses for the people or gives the people what they think they want, irrespective of what the people themselves want and think. This is what we had in the '70s and it is stillhere.

Some time ago, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in a rare move, broke this kind of tradition and stood up against her colleagues' proposal and defended and promoted the interests of her constituents - the firefighters - in order that they can serve all Jamaica better. Her party reacted with outrage and exhibited some level of disdain towards her. I, however, congratulate this kind of action by Mrs. Simpson Miller. But we need to see more of this among our politicians, except I don't believe they are interested in this kind of politics, so we shouldn't hold our breath waiting for this to happen.

Therefore, I refuse to vote. I refuse to vote for a government which understands its role to be one that protects and defends, at all costs, the interest of their party and will not defend and support the interests of the people of Jamaica.

Which person or incumbent MP will be bold enough to defy the odds and participate in the creation of policies and a decision-making process that favours me and you the Jamaican and not necessarily the party? Wouldn't this make Parliamentary meetings more interesting and lively? Wouldn't it make us feel as though we are part of the process? Wouldn't we own policies and projects, and wouldn't it inspire unity and love and break down political walls and tribalism?

Information-sharing

There needs to be more discussions, debates and information-sharing with the people in the constituencies, led by the local officials and legislative authorities about policies, projects and needs, before these policies are debated in Parliament and decisions made, so that each representative mind is shaped by the feelings, needs and suggestions of the people they represent.

Hence, until I am convinced of this kind of change in how politics is practised and decisions made by our politicians, I will not vote. All Jamaicans should consider this.

I am, etc.,

Rev. RENALDO McKENZIE

United Church in

Jamaica and Cayman

132 Johnson Hill

Hellshire, St. Catherine

Via Go-Jamaica

renaldo@email.com