Dear Editor,

Lloyd B Smith’s column in the July 12 Observer reminded me that in May 2010, the PM finally acted on the Dudus crisis due to consistent and vocal public pressure from many quarters of civil society. This forced Mr Golding to take action. He also made promises to move on to other areas, including the dismantling of garrison constituencies.

What has happened to those promises for action? What progress has been made in dealing with those problems?

The government has about a year to show that it is serious about changing our political landscape. While I have no faith in the current Opposition under its present leadership to change their behaviour, I do believe that Mr Golding and some of his party want, and could make the changes.

It is time that we remind Mr Golding of what he promised to do and show he has a plan to implement those promises. I agree with the many writers who see no hope for the future unless something more concrete is done to change the political culture of Gordon House gangs and the accompanying crime. We have made some progress on the latter, but need much more of the former. If some more inroads could be made in this area, the present JLP government should be clearly re-electable and Mr Golding forgiven for his ill-judged actions!

Dr Marigold J Thorburn

Kingston 6

marigold@kasnet.com