The Editor, Sir:

The country by this must be getting a little tired of the Opposition's picayunish approach to serious matters. The latest instance is to be seen in the response to Government's Cabinet reshuffle in consequence of the criminal situation. While 'Rome burns' the leader of the opposition is alarmed, not so much by the conflagration, as by the manner in which the prime minister has tried to quench the flames. She complains that it was on the streets that she first heard that there was to be a change in the Cabinet; and her shadow minister attributes the action to "panic".

It may be timely to remind the Opposition of the firing of Finance Minister David Coore in March 1978. Part of the coverage published in the Gleaner at the time reads as follows:

"With the country standing on the verge of an economic collapse; with the IMF insisting on the standards it set; with hardly any foreign exchange in the coffers to buy essential goods, and with hunger already striking sections of the population in the capital city, few can imagine the deadening shock which ran through the country when news of Mr Coore's removal circulated on that first Wednesday in March. Even before the official announcement was issued by the prime minister, the news was on the streets."

It may be recalled that the then prime minister announced that he would retain Mr Coore as a minister and deputy prime minister. However, if memory serves correctly, Mr Coore who was ill, remained out of sight and eventually moved to greener pastures overseas. All this is well known to the present leader of the opposition who wasright there. So, wherefore art thou now surprised?

I am, etc.,

KEN JONES

alllerdyce@hotmail.com