The recent muttering of the Opposition and uttering of the Government are beginning to remind me of my high school days, in third form no less, where response to any reasonable spoken question or comment between students, if a suitable rebuttal could not be found to the initial comment, is the response, “That will hold you.”

That is what it appears to be in the noises being made between the Government and Opposition about the deportees. The two political parties are carrying on like high school juveniles. It brings to mind what appears to be a flaw in the governing structure, perhaps brought about by the political parties themselves, or the fact that they don’t know what a government is, or how it is to be operated.

The latest “that will hold you” moment from the now Government of Jamaica has to do with the “Memorandum of Understanding” [MOU] (government) vs “agreement” (Opposition) about the recent United Kingdom deportees. The Government of Jamaica at the time of this MOU must have signed this agreement outside the House of Parliament, since it seems the Opposition at the time, now Government, is bringing this matter now as if it’s a “that will hold you” to the Opposition, because perhaps, they were not aware or involved at the time. And now the present Opposition is berating this new Government for having entered into this “flawed” agreement/MOU. What a piece of work?!

All MOUs and agreements involving the Government of Jamaica must be debated in the Parliament — well are supposed to — with regard to all agreements and treaties signed over the signature of the “Government of Jamaica”, and should have been subject to approval by the Parliament, full stop. This way, no member of the Government or Opposition, in administration, can waste my time with this “that will hold you” nonsense and everyone can get on with more pressing concerns like the economy and energy development — truly more important business of the people.

Perhaps the Jamaican Members of Parliament should disavow themselves of the ignorance they keep repeating about them being the “highest court in the land”, and get on with the business of representing the people and country of Jamaica as adults — not schoolers looking for “that will hold you” moments — in the House of Representatives to impress their friends.

Parliamentary review, I believe, includes debate, vote and signature of all Members of Parliament, representing all Jamaicans. It is the role of the Parliament to ensure that all sides of the issue are represented in the interest of the nation of Jamaica, not the People’s National Party (PNP) or the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). As it stands today, our Members of Parliament don’t vote on issues as advised by their constituents, but vote as they are told by the party bosses — which is what applied under colonial rule.

I can only imagine what other governments think of my Jamaican Government and its juvenile behaviour. It is embarrassing, to say the least, when they realise that the Government (Administration) of the day is not sharing information regarding commitments of the State with all Members of Parliament, especially Opposition members.

So it seems that decisions made by Jamaican politicians are political party back-room deals over gin and tonic with handshakes all round, with the Opposition relegated to sidebars along the roadside and verandas. This current political juvenile behaviour leaves me requesting that the business of the governance of Jamaica be taken from the purview of the political parties, and that all matters affecting the State of Jamaica be put through the Parliament for debate, vote and implementation.

The Members of Parliament we elect have the responsibility to debate national issues not as party members but as representatives of all the people. Otherwise, for example, if the the constituency of St Andrew East Rural has as many PNP as JLP votes, not to mention those who have decided to stop participating in the process, what happens to the other half of the constituency not belonging to the winning party?

Every elected Member of Parliament is responsible for everyone in his/her constituency, regardless of party affiliation. Members of Parliament are responsible for legislation that will benefit every single constituent, not their party or its members.

On a tangential matter, is Cabinet member and Member of Parliament Mike Henry the only parliamentarian looking out to undertake legislation to improve his constituents? It seems to me that more has been built in Clarendon since he has been in office, both as Government and Opposition member. While other Members of Parliament can only get latrines installed in their constituencies, Mike Henry has got major highways built, and infrastructure built and improved. What are the other Members of Parliament doing, just watching as he uses all the funds to his parish? Am I the only person noticing this? Come on, representatives, get a grip! He is doing his job. If you all don’t know how to legislate and get things done, then attend Parliament and pay attention to the Henry juggernaut. He is running rings around you all. And all you are doing is attending his ribbon-cutting events to smile and shake hands when he is getting these huge infrastructure items built.

The reason for Parliament is exactly to debate and vote on how the fiscal pie is cut up. So far, I haven’t heard anything from my East Rural Member of Parliament. Maybe just before the next election, when they are looking votes again, the people will hear again.

Congratulations, Minister and Member of Parliament Henry; don’t know if you want to represent any other constituencies before you are retired to a senior centre, but if you want to run in East Rural, please let us know.

hmdenergy@gmail.com