Dear Editor,

This is a very disheartening period in our country’s history. Our people are not only very disillusioned with our politics and politicians, but they also seem disenchanted with the country’s future.

Our general election in February this year was an event that highlighted voter apathy and disenchantment with our political leaders. Neither of our parties deserved to have formed the Government, and the election results clearly showed there was no clear favourite political party.

Unfortunately, our political leaders have still not got the message. The outgoing People’s National Party (PNP) Administration was arrogant, uncaring and anything but transparent. The present Jamaica Labour Party Administration has adopted the same disturbing attitude and is daily becoming expert at empty pronouncements – all form and no substance.

How else does one explain that our two political parties have failed to comment on the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry into the death of over 70 Jamaicans six years ago, and have offered no apology or explanation for that tragedy? This, in spite of the fact that the report should have been submitted and made public by May 2016. It could be that the parties have been so engrossed with themselves in court that they have very little time to be dealing with things as insignificant to them as the fundamental right to life, which was allegedly abused in Tivoli in May 2010. Or is it that neither party cares one iota about the fact that thousands of dollars were spent on salaries for the commissioners and the work of the commission, because upholding a principle of meeting deadlines and the cries for justice does not, in their opinion, garner many votes.

What does it take for them to sit up and take notice? A few more exposés done by 18 degrees North? It is very worrying that our politicians’ general disregard for the electorate is not confined to our senior politicians. Our prime minister is youthful; so too some of the aspirants seeking to replace the ageing president of the PNP. What have these young leaders demonstrated to date? Have any of them shown any real regard for the rights of the people and the Constitution of Jamaica? In my opinion, they have all failed in that regard.

It is my fervent hope that with the passing of that great man, Muhammed Ali, we don’t have remarks from our leaders highlighting the fact and exalting others to be like Ali, who was willing to sacrifice his boxing career for what he believed in and stood for. I say this because not one of our leaders has demonstrated that he or she would be prepared to sacrifice his or her political career to stand up for what is right and just.

Colonel Allan Douglas

Kingston 10

alldouglas@aol.com