The Editor, Sir:

How relieved I am to learn in your disclaimer below the editorial in The Sunday Gleaner of March 30, that the views expressed by yourself as Editor, do not reflect the views of The Gleaner!

For this 'barrel of pork' editorial is a barrel of hypocrisy! The use of the words 'pork barrel' is cleverly designed to cast aspersions on the focus of these funds.

At all times, Bruce Golding has made it clear that he would be seeking to empower the members of parliament in such a way as to ensure that the work of their constituencies was done. Throughout his NDM journey, and later when he rejoined the JLP, this empowerment of the member of parliament, has been a core component of his vision.

Funding woes

Surely, you forget that MPs are largely viewed as being de trop, and most times incapable of effecting real change in their constituency, due to the tightly controlled Consolidated Fund, and insufficient funding of the SESP? Many times, if the local government contingent is of another political stripe, the MP is caught floating downstream without a paddle to rely on, as funding, under successive past Governments, was sent directly to Party operatives, even those without a constituency!

Traditionally, the MP, if his party is not in power, has to scrounge, scrimp and save, not to mention beg in the most demeaning ways for funds to carry out development within his constituency.

It was this existing ill, that the Constituency Development Fund was designed to remedy. Now you pretend that this is just another pork barrel.

I am more interested in noting that Mr Golding is a man of his word. He promised MPs of all parties to take them off the backburner, reduce their status as beggars to be abused by their constituency members, and to be fair and just in the allocation of funds. This is democracy - respecting the wishes of the electorate to have their representative in Parliament. By denying funding to these MPs, successive governments ensured that the rights of the people they represented were abrogated, if not by the Gordon House crowd, by the local government crew, who might have been anti- the MP of the day.

That the funds are low cannot be placed at Mr Golding's doorstep! Further, the fact that funding is small, is no excuse to break promises made. That's like doctors not treating you because we might not have the right diagnostic machine in Jamaica. Surely, they will do with what they have until better comes?

I am, etc.,

FAITH BLACKWOOD

Montego Bay

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