Give the ombudsman prosecutorial powers — Meadows
FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for Trelawny Northern, Dennis Meadows, is advocating that prosecutorial powers be afforded to the Office of the Political Ombudsman.
“In my view, I believe that the Office of the Political Ombudsman needs some teeth. Recently we saw where a directive went out that no flags must be about on light poles, but we still see flags in some constituencies,” Meadows argued.
He was speaking last week at the signing of the political code of conduct by the four aspirants vying to become Members of Parliament for the two constituencies in Trelawny.
Meadows, who has unsuccessfully contested the Trelawny Northern seat on two consecutive occasions, argued that the signing exercise is “redundant” in Trelawny Northern.
“Because this is my third sojourn in this exercise and we have enjoyed cordial relationship in this constituency. We have mutual respect for each other. In the main, we have no issue,” he stressed.
This was the general consensus among the other three aspirants at the signing.
Marissa Dalrymple-Phillibert, the incumbent JLP candidate for Trelawny Southern, who will be seeking to defeat the People’s National Party (PNP), Lloyd Gillings to secure a third-consecutive term, expressed that relationships with the candidates since 2007, have always been cordial.
“The past speaks for itself and if indeed there is any doubt my own actions and relations with candidates of the People’s National Party will speak for itself, because I have always enjoyed an excellent relationship,” Dalrymple Phillibert stated.
And Gillings, who has served two terms as councillor for the Albert Town Division, also expressed that the view that the peaceful political climate that exists in the constituency will be maintained.
At the same time, both Meadows and the PNP candidate for Trelawny Northern, Victor Wright expressed that it is the leaders who need to set the tone for their supporters.
“We have responsibilities for our supporters. We are leaders they (supporters) need to be guided by our philosophies, they need to be guided by how we think,” Wright noted.
