Heather RobinsonIN JAMAICA today, there are some 60 lines that have been drawn. Within these lines/boundaries are political constituencies and within these constituency boundaries are further boundaries called Parish Council and polling divisions. Constituents make up the electorate of each constituency, parish council division and polling division. These are persons who come from similar backgrounds and sometimes totally different backgrounds.
It is the task of the elected Member of Parliament to ensure that somehow a common or majority vision is developed for the constituency. If a survey is conducted among the 60 Members of Parliament (MP), it is highly likely that all 60 would name education as their number one priority. Falling in line behind education could be the provision of better housing and water and of course better roads and increased employment opportunities for the unemployed, and the development and implementation of a good sports programme.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR MPS
Most MPs will tell you that their ideal constituency would be one where there was no need for improvements in the housing stock and all homes had piped water and indoor sanitary facilities. Alongside this would be a very low unemployment rate and good roads for all. It is in seeking to arrive at this ideal place which, by the way, none of the 60 MPs has reached that many MPs are confronted with the biggest challenge of their entire lives. There really is no prior preparation that could have prepared them for this monumental task. Ideally, the MP would rather spend the entire Social and Economic Support Pro-gramme (SESP) on education. But this is not to be as in most cases, the MP, along with the constituency executive, decide how the money is to be spent. And while there might appear to be consensus at this level, it is probable that there might be one or two or even five non-executive members who object. And it is how this small handful chooses to voice their objection that requires an immediate and strong response from the Member of Parliament, who is the only person that Parliament can hold responsible for the use of taxpayer's money.
PATHWAY OF DEATH
AND BLOODSHED
In some constituencies, this small handful of persons believe that it is their pre-ordained right to become the de facto MP. These persons expect that the MP will report to and consult with them on all decisions that are money-related. Not only must the MP consult and report to these unelected persons, but they must always be the ones appointed to do the work. If they do not get the contract, then no work will be done, as they will ensure through any and all means possible that the community if not the constituency becomes a virtual war zone, with murder being the chosen weapon of attention and destruction. It is a lethal form of blackmail, and all suffer. Some have become masters of the art and it does not matter if they have the competence to perform with the requisite skills for a government contract.
It is at this stage in an MP's life that he is most tested. These persons seek to find out how far the MP is willing to go with them along their pathway of death and bloodshed. At what point will the MP yield, in other words after how many murders and school closures.
THE LINE THAT SEPARATES
The Member of Parliament for South St. Andrew has been tested, and is being tested. Dr. Omar Davies has openly stated his vision of improving the educational levels of all whom he represents. This includes the Grade Four student from Jones Town and Iris Gelly Primary; the eighth grader at Trench Town and Charlie Smith High Schools to the recent enrollee in his ACE programme for adult education. He has put in place a remedial programme for children and is in the process of developing a model educational programme for the people of South St. Andrew.
Dr. Davies has happily drawn the line in South St. Andrew. It is a line that separates those who are afraid of a literate, educated and independent group of citizens from those whose guns and bullets have for too long maintained subjection and subservience. All Jamaica must now draw the line against such persons.
Heather Robinson is a Senior Life Underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
