Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie has called on Jamaicans to resist the urge for street protests in the wake of the New Year's Day tax package announced last week.

The mayor, who himself was part of a group of 50 Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) mayors and councillors who marched on Jamaica House in 2005 before being tear-gassed by police, said that while the Government's tax measures would affect everyone, it was no excuse for reckless behaviour.

"No government wants to impose taxes, no government wants to do that, but let us be mature, let us rise above partisan politics, let us think about Jamaica, and if you really love poor people, think about what kind of hardships you are going to impose on poor people if you disrupt Christmas," he said at a luncheon for seniors at the Kingston Parish Church yesterday.

Since last Thursday, Jamaicans have been digesting news that they will pay a consumption tax on dozens of items to fund the $21.8-billion gap in the Budget.

The announcement has been met with resistance by trade unions and civil-society groups, among others, which have labelled the measures harsh.

Don't spoil it

McKenzie has cautioned Jamaicans that demonstrations at this time would be ill-advised.

"I would like to beg of those persons, who have it (protests) in their mind, not to destroy Christmas, to allow us to have a peaceful and a holy Christmas because it is one time of the year, despite the difficulties that we face, every man and every woman, every boy and every girl looks forward to Christmas."

He further said all Jamaicans would have to start pulling their weight to ensure that the nation goes forward.

"If you are JLP and you want to express your concerns about the new taxes, it is your constitutional right to do so. If you are a PNP (People's National Party) and you want to express those views, it is the same right. Regardless of your political persuasion or your religious conviction, it is your right, but I beg of you, let us have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year," he said.