The Editor, Sir:

My first reaction to a PNP supporter's comment that the present Government is grossly under-prepared for the job at hand was to shrug it off as another biased, baseless comment from a non-JLP supporter. However, after doing my own reflections on the present Government's activities, I am inclined to agree.

For example, after 18 years of being a government-in-waiting, the JLP should have had a ready-to-wear crime plan that it would run with as soon as it landed in office, especially given the crime environment the country was facing at the beginning of its tenure and the rapid and alarming decline since. The Government is still fumbling with the control of crime.

Overwhelming

Also, it seems that, at times, the pressure gets too much and seemingly overwhelming for Bruce Golding that sometimes he makes very unfortunate and disappointing comments. Some memorable ones were:

The "not in my Cabinet" comment. This is demagogic and discriminatory and sets a bad precedent. It is unbecoming of a modern day, forward-thinking leader.

The police, not the Government, are responsible for the crime plan. Definitely not leading from the front and dodging responsibility.

Indeed, there are occasions and members of the Government worthy of commendation. The ministers of Agriculture, Education and Tourism and Transport have been doing commendable jobs and I urge them to continue. So, too, are the ministers of Finance and Industry and Commerce.

However, there seems to be increasing hopelessness as the country faces seemingly insurmountable problems and impatient cries for more decisive leadership that will bring better and more timely results. Nonetheless, there is still time and room for much improvement and learning from their mistakes. What I hope is that the learning follows a much steeper (learning) curve.

I am, etc.,

JERMAINE BORELAND

jirmz@yahoo.co.uk