Dear Editor,

In spite of what Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips has said about the retaining of senators, I still think he should get a clean slate. I think he should have his own mandate to pursue his independent dreams and aspirations. Sometimes it is good for new leaders to start on a clean, clear sheet to really make a clear impact on governance and to counter misconceptions.

What’s more, some of the present senators have been as silent as the dead of night.

I would implore the senators to give Dr Phillips their undivided support for him to function with zest and accountability, if nothing changes.

Although, the Opposition senators are from the same party they might not see eye to eye on individual, proposed plans and actions.

I guess Dr Phillips wants to have the most credible support of all age cohorts, so he is unwilling to change the senators to create any divisiveness. Maybe he doesn’t want a gender-biased Senate, either.

We have to be mindful that senators can cause great harm to the party when issues are to be advanced. If people are unwilling to support you, your efforts may be sabotaged.

To have lasting party unity I think the Opposition leader should have a working knowledge of the individuals who will support him through thick and thin and not make him a non-functional disaster. You can’t be stoic when dealing with people, hence dropping your guards, you will get hurt.

We have to be privy on matters like these but I think some people will give him a hard time if they are not buying fully into some of his ideas or supportive of his ideology. Dr Phillips should know that not everybody will delve into his philosophy and make him strong as an Opposition leader. Some just want the possibility of serving the people, which is good, but to no avail if they are not serving the person who selected them.

Think carefully, Dr Phillips, you might hurt yourself with inaction.

Paris Taylor

Greater Portmore

St Catherine

paristaylor82@hotmail.com