Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter 
Government Senators Burchell Whiteman (left) and Trevor Munroe. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
GOVERNMENT SENATOR Trevor Munroe wants both political parties to consider having a government of national unity, which would include Government, Opposition and civil society in the Cabinet.
Senator Munroe made the suggestion on Friday during his contribution in the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate.
"I believe that prior to the elections, each side should commit that, subsequent to that election... whoever wins (will establish) a government of national unity, at least for one term," he said.
Senator Munroe said it was necessary to have such a unity because the country was going through a crisis, which he said was reflected in the breakdown of social relations and social order as manifested in unacceptable levels of murder and violent crimes.
NOT A PERMANENT CHANGE
"I am not proposing this as a permanent change because we are not in a permanent crisis but at least for one term until we get the situation under control," he said.
But several members of the Senate laughed at the suggestion with Justice Minister A.J. Nicholson pointing out that it would not work, especially from the Opposition side.
Meanwhile, Senator Burchell Whiteman, Leader of Government Business, said this could only be implemented if all leaders had a mindset where they were committed to putting the country first.
Senator Munroe also cited the urgent need to address corruption with the call for the finalisation of discussions on the financing of election campaigns and political parties.
"I propose that the incoming administration, again as a matter of urgency, possibly in the first 100 days, finalise proposals, which are far advanced within the People's National Party and far advanced within the Jamaica Labour Party, for election campaign financing and political party funding," he said.
"We cannot contend that nobody knows who is giving how much money to whom, and therefore who may be (beholden) to whom, which totally (leaves) the public in the dark," he said.
The objective of this, he said, would be to reduce a major area of political corruption.
CORRUPTION
In supporting the call for measures that would help to fight corruption, Senator Whiteman said this was a collective responsibility. He pointed to a recent Gleaner poll, which indicated that the majority of people believed that neither political side would do a good job in fighting corruption.
"What that is saying to me is that corruption is a major phenomenon in the world and we are not unique in Jamaica.
But for me the real danger is that we may be on the verge of taking corruption for granted and accepting it as a way of life," Whiteman said.
