The Editor, Sir:

Mr. Lambert Brown can read but he appears to be having difficulty understanding what he reads. Nor does he seem able to discuss issues without resorting to vile insinuations, impertinence and irrelevancies.

He tells the truth when he says that I have always inveighed against oversized Cabinets, but he prevaricates by saying that I am expressing support for Mr. Golding's 18-person executive.

My letter sought only to remind the public that in addition to Mr. Patterson's 17, there were 18 consultants at Jamaica House; and I added that if Mr. Golding avoided these costly consultants it would be an improvement in governance and the cost of it.

Nowhere, absolutely nowhere in my correspondence, did I seek to justify or support the size of the present Cabinet. What I wrote in 2002, which is correctly cited by Mr. Brown, were questions: "Do we need so many ministers and junior ministers?" "Are they providing value for money or just jobs for the boys?" I still have those questions in mind when I look at Mr. Golding's Cabinet members, but I am not so foolish as to rush to judgement within 24 hours of their appointment.

Should the intemperate Mr. Brown slowly review my letter, syllable by syllable, he might on the third reading get it right and see that his accusations are totally false; but then again, there's none so blind as those who do not wish to see.

Also, if he can take time from his present role as a proselyte of the PNP, he might recall that just last year February he told a JLP Area One council meeting held at Shortwood Teachers' College, "Like the majority of Jamaicans, I am tired of a government that has grown tired". One is left to wonder what the followers of this weary leader of the University and Allied Workers Union may be thinking about the stability of his political posture.

I am, etc.,

KEN JONES

alllerdyce@hotmail.com