The Editor, Sir:

The Gleaner of Wednesday, October 31, 2007 tells the story of four Jamaica Labour Party Members of Parliament who are likely to face the Courts on matters relating to dual citizenship. According to the People's National Party, these MPs hold American passports, have sworn allegiance or obedience to a foreign power and are citizens of the United States of America.

The four individuals are: Michael Stern MP for North West Clarendon challenged by Richard Azan; Daryl Vaz MP for West Portland challenged by Abe Dabdoub; Shahine Robinson MP for North East St. Ann, challenged by Manley Bowen; and Gregory Mair MP for North East St. Catherine challenged by Phyllis Mitchell.

Dangerous road

With the exception of Manley Bowen all the challengers are defeated PNP candidates in the September 3 General Election. The PNP claims that according to section 40 of the Jamaica Constitution, the successful JLP candidates should be disqualified from sitting in Parliament, should not continue to represent the people who voted for them and subsequently lose their seats after having been duly elected by a majority of votes and declared winners by the constituted authority - The Electoral Office of Jamaica.

The PNP hopes that by travelling this road, the seats will be reverted to them giving them a majority in Parliament thereby becoming Government again by this route - a very dangerous road to travel and one that should not be taken. After all, the people had voted for these candidates, citizens or not and if they wanted Messers Azan, Dabdoub and Phyllis Mitchell, they would have voted for them.

On Wednesday, October 31, 2007 during TVJ's news broadcast the poll question was asked: Do you think the PNP should drop these dual citizenship cases? Seventy-two per cent of the responses were 'Yes' and 28 per cent said 'No.' It would be advisable that the PNP heed this call.

I am, etc.,

LLOYD A. MYRIE

gemlam@cw.com

Porus P.O.

Manchester