Dear Editor,

This is an open letter to Leader of the Opposition Portia Simpson Miller and the hierarchy of the PNP.

Mrs Simpson Miller, your recent Shadow Cabinet reshuffle shows that you and your colleagues are unwilling to do what is in the best interest of Jamaica. It seems to me that what you have done amounts to pandering to the assumed popular public view concerning certain politicians. Putting Dr Phillips at Finance is no different from Dr Davies, as the same ideology exists in the party when it comes to Jamaica’s finances.

While Dr Phillips might have helped score points for the PNP in the Manatt Enquiry, his appointment does not inspire anyone or seem practical. Retaining Mr Pickersgill, Dr Davies et al shows that you have no intention of changing things around as you have suggested. The notion that changes will come after election shows that it is nothing more than a ploy to get people to vote for the PNP in the hope that you will make changes later. Isn’t it better to change people before you get in to show how serious you are about change?

I can’t help but think the party hierarchy is banking on the JLP’s woes to get back in power, rather than through new and innovative people and ideas. While I do not hold you in higher or lower esteem than the JLP, I have to say I am very disappointed. You ought to be the alternative to what Jamaica knows as government and this reshuffle is the best you can come with? I am sorry, Mrs Simpson Miller, but I for one see nothing exciting about your reshuffle.

Brian Stevens

Pennsylvania, USA

localizerjm@yahoo.com