Dear Editor,

We, the people, would be naive to think that any one person can reduce our murder rate. It also would be naive of anyone to think that one person can inspire confidence publicly.

With 1,617 murders in 2017, and 42 murders in the seven days since the start of this year, we the public are scared because some of our own ain’t just dying, but ‘deading’!

Dr Christopher Tufton is seen as the fixer in the Jamaica Labour Party — a man with a safe pair of hands. He’s performed well in every portfolio to date.

Many asked why he took that career-killing job in the health ministry. Others will say he should stay at the Ministry of Health at which he’s doing a fantastic job. And more will also say that his natural portfolio is the mega ministry of industry, commerce, agriculture, and fisheries.

According to many, Dr Tufton is a way better fixer than Dr Peter Phillips was when he served the Portia Simpson Miller Administration.

Could Dr Christopher Tufton become the national security minister? Tufton is a key member of the Cabinet in a crucial sector that he has stabilised and still needs fixing, so a move may have negative consequences there.

Who will replace Dr Christopher Tufton if he’s our National Security Minister? Dr Horace Chang, the general secretary, could be the right man for that job. Daryl Vaz, maybe, but he’s already in the Office of the Prime Minister with additional responsibilities.

For persons wanting Dr Tufton to go to his natural position of handling industry, commerce, agriculture, and fisheries, think again: Robert Montague is the right man for that job.

We the people wish the Government had another Tufton. But we strongly believe that the time is now for Tufton; he’s an ‘outside the box’ thinker and doesn’t know how to lose.

With the talks of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle in the air, I’m urging Prime Minister Andrew Holness to give the Ministry of National Security to a safe pair of hands.

Teddylee Gray

Ocho Rios, St Ann

teddylee.gray@gmail.com