PM vs Opposition?
I read with concern, the release in The Gleaner of October 15, on page A 8 which titled - Golding promises U.K.-style PMQT. The Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding had indicated in his announcement on October 9 that on the second Tuesday in every month, "I am prepared to field questions without notice".
The impression that I am getting is that, he will be the sole person to whom all the questions must be directed to for the answers. In my opinion, this is just another form of debate and is parallel to the programme - 'Your Issues Live' and 'Live and Direct', etc. It is unquestionable that it was designed to be the Opposition versus the Prime Minister and his administration. I am also wondering with this type of political climate, if it will be amicable or furious. This again, will give the semblance of shielding his ministers with responsible portfolios who are directly answerable to the nation.
- E.N. Perkins, P.O. Box 415, Mandeville
Political behaviour
A former Minister of Government Dr. Ken McNeill once said "Parliament is not a Sunday school but, a place subjected to the cut and thrust of parliamentary debate", but in such an environment, the country demands of those who leads in both Houses of Parliament dignity and respect.
Prior to Jamaica gaining Independence, one of our finest columnists Morris Cargill said this about one of parliamentarian William Seivright, "He dressed as a gentleman, he spoke as a gentleman and he behaved as a gentleman." For many of us, those words resonate even to this day.
Our highest institution of Government should be used to promote civility and decorum and not to descend to unsavoury clashes and boorish behaviour.
- Winston R. Blake, Lacovia,
St. Elizabeth
Casino debate
With the change of administration, the casino gambling debate has once again intensified. The Minister of Tourism fired the first salvo followed by players in the tourism industry.
One is led to believe that this was one of the secret promises that was made by the JLP to interest groups during the election campaign.
- Concerned Citizen, Kingston
Online fan
I'm a Jamaican living in London. I left Jamaica at the tender age of 11. I'm now 43! I read The Gleaner online every week.
It's great. You report stories such as the Jamaican girl who is now a doctor. I'm a barrister-at-law, and hope to return to Jamaica in the next two years. I will keep reading The Gleaner online until then.
- Anthony Marballie, am164@hotmail.com
