THE EDITOR, Madam:
THE PROBLEM of escalating crime and violence has once again attracted national attention. The usual platitudes, panic and eventual heavy-handed response is to be expected.
Our political leaders would be well advised, however, to remember that ever since 1655 when Jamaica became the object of violent conquest there have been periods of violent dislocation during economic downturn. Fundamental constitutional change leading to greater representation and democracy was often the result. We saw this when slavery was abolished and in 1865 when the Assembly abolished itself and again in 1944 with Universal Adult Suffrage and full internal self-government. All this culminated with our Independence in 1962.
Since then, our political leaders have betrayed the expectation of Indepen-dence. Members of Parliament represent their party, not their constituents. Issues are not decided nor representation made on the basis of what is best for those who put them there but rather are dictated by the political party.
Is it any wonder that many people are alienated?
My advice to both party leaders:
(a) Immediately change the method of candidate selection for Parish Councils and Parliament, from one which rewards party loyalty to one which seeks to attract persons within a community who have earned that community's respect the teachers and pastors; persons with a mind of their own and who have integrity.
(b) Forego the use of activists and the bussing of crowds on the political campaign bid the dons goodbye.
(c) Remove the office of the Member of Parliament from the party constituency office. The Member of Parliament should have a civil service type secretariat which remains even when he goes.
(d) Use Parliament the way it was intended a place where all Parliamentarians challenge the Executive on its performance.
(e) Channel the expenditure of public funds through the civil service and the Contractor-General so as to do away with clientelism.
(f) Appointments to public office and statutory boards should be made after public hearings and impartial consideration.
(g) Abandon the practice of party secretaries-general being national spokesmen and utilise the people's Parliament in the way it was intended.
(h) The party should be a convenient vehicle for political campaign and nothing more.
In short, Madam Editor, I am inviting the political parties to commit political hara-kiri as did the General Assembly in 1865 because,"the legislature in no respect reflects the wishes or opinions of the colonies, either as regards number, influence or wealth and use Parliamentary institutions as a means of securing private objects or gratify personal feelings at the expense of the best interests of the community." (Governor Edward Eyre describing the Jamaica Assembly in his dispatch of March 18, 1864).
I am, etc.,
DAVID BATTS,
72 Harbour Street,
Kingston
