The Editor, Sir:

If a citizen of the United Kingdom comes and resides in Jamaica for 12 months prior, he is qualified to hold office but if a Jamaican by virtue of his own act becomes a citizen of the United Kingdom he is not. Some people may question the logic of it but I have no problem with it.

In the former case the Commonwealth citizen is demonstrating affiliation to Jamaica and in the latter the Jamaican is demonstrating affiliation to the United Kingdom. Questions of loyalty arise.

Mr. Nicholson calls for the Jamaica Labour Party to tell us whether it took steps to determine whether its candidates are qualified. If the party does not do so, then what are we to think? Mr. Golding, why is it that we should continue to suspect that members of your executive are more concerned with their personal insurance policies than with their loyalty to country? As your esteemed predecessor said: "Do the right thing."

I am, etc.,

JOY GIRVAN

girvanj@gmail.com