The Editor, Sir:

The resignation of Member of Parliament for South East St. Ann, Aloun Assamba, came as no surprise due to the negative publicity that she has received since the demonstration of a few persons on October 6, 2006. Although the motives were not clear, the media pounded Minister Assamba to the point where she felt that she was cornered with very little breathing space.

Having worked amid the politics of South East St. Ann for a number of years, I became aware of the number of programmes that were introduced by the Member of Parliament to assist members of the constituency with the difficulties that they faced from time to time. After winning the seat in the 2002 General Election, she was appointed to the Cabinet and subsequently served as Minister of Tourism with distinction as the records will reflect.

The underlying concern has always been the fact that she is Minister of Tourism and Member of Parliament at the same time, which prevented her from being as visible as the people of South East St. Ann wanted her to be.

After much consideration, I have now started to wonder if governing parties should consider members of the Senate for portfolios such as Minister of Tourism, Minister of Foreign Affairs, etc., instead of Members of Parliament? In the case of South East St. Ann, I know that Mrs. Assamba did her best for representation by appointing persons to act in her absence on official overseas business so as to alleviate the effect of her absence. Was that enough?

My grandmother always reminded me that "the same knife that stick goat will stick sheep." Successor, be ye careful.

I am, etc.,

KERON D. BROWN

Member, South East St. Ann

Executive Committee