Dear Editor,

First elected as a political neophyte in 1998, though inexcusable, it came as no surprise when Andrew Holness opened his first constituency office at 73 3/4 Hagley Park Road right smack in Peter Phillips ‘ constituency, well outside the border of his own St Andrew West Central constituency.

Some years later he tried to correct his mistake when he rented a room at popular Mother Hogg’ s residence located at 138 Olympic Way, a placed he seldom visited.

Following the closure of this place he now operates from a room at the Olympic Gardens Civic Centre situated at 119b Olympic Way. Again his presence here is as rare as diamond being mined in the constituency. In fact, his constituents have a better chance of seeing him if they venture to the Leader of the Opposition’s Office, that is, if they they can afford the bus fare.

This pales when compared to his challenger, the People’s National Party’s standard-bearer, Patrick Roberts, who has not one but two offices in the constituency. One is at 17 Seaward Drive and the other at 22-24 Cassia Crescent, off Marl Road, both fully staffed.

Holness, from what location do you conduct the business of the constituency, given you are virtually never at the civic centre and most members of the constituency are financially challenged and cannot make the trip to the Opposition leader’s office?

I would also like to pose the following questions to Holness, or any other member of parliament who wishes to respond:

1. Are you receiving funds for rental of a constituency office?

2. Is there a stipend for the upkeep of said office, inclusive of a secretary?

3. Is there a provision for a driver for the office?

Michael Bradley

Kingston 19

dougswifftt@hotmail.com