The Editor, Sir:

As a Jamaican in the diaspora I would like to echo the sentiments of the British Member of Parliament in England, Diane Abbott, who is of Jamaican descent and represents one of the most diverse constituencies in England.

Who would have thought that the issue of Jamaicans with dual citizenship would become such a big political issue in Jamaica at a time when we as Jamaicans in the diaspora and Jamaicans at home need all the Jamaicans expertise that is available to help build our nation?

It would be of interest if the persons in Jamaica who are pursuing this 'xenophobic' approach towards Jamaicans with dual citizenship in Jamaican politics explain themselves to the public why they didn't challenge the issue before the general election. If they had done their homework before the election it would have saved us all this time we are wasting on court proceedings now.

I think it is time to have a long, good look at our Jamaican Constitution and make the necessary changes to Section 41 (2) which states clearly that "no person shall be qualified to be appointed as a senator or elected as a member of the House of Representatives who is, by virtue of his or her own act under any acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state."

As a British independent nation, why can't we do like the British do? A British citizen who has sworn allegiance to a foreign power would not be barred from becoming a member of Her Majesty Parliament in Britain. So why should a Jamaican with dual citizenship be barred from becoming a member of Her Majesty's Parliament in Jamaica?

I am, etc.,

COTTRELL HYATT

'The Maverick'

cottrellhyatt@yahoo.co.uk

14 Clermont Road,

London