KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament (MP) for St Thomas Eastern, Yvonne Rose-Marie Shaw, has voiced disappointment with the 2026 Throne Speech, arguing that it failed to reflect the ongoing challenges facing the “forgotten” parish of St Thomas.

Speaking after Governor General Sir Patrick Allen delivered the Throne Speech at Gordon House on Thursday, Shaw said the address painted an overly optimistic picture that does not align with the lived experiences of many residents in her constituency.

“When you hear the Throne Speech, it’s like everything is okay,” Shaw told Observer Online. “I just want to register my two cents. In terms of the water crisis, I can tell you that the majority of the communities in my constituency have serious water problems.”

She identified several affected areas, including Cheswick, Barking Lodge, Stanton Road, Stanton Housing Scheme, Prospect, Dumfries, and Leith Hall. According to Shaw, limited funds allocated for trucking water into these communities have already been exhausted.

Road conditions are also a major concern. Shaw noted that many community roads are in poor shape, pointing specifically to a dangerous breakaway in Rowlandsfield that has already resulted in one fatality.

“One fatality is too much. I am really, really concerned about that,” she said.

The MP said she plans to engage Minister of Works, Robert Morgan to seek funding for critical road repairs, acknowledging that while the Government cannot address every issue at once, immediate attention is needed in some areas.

She described the Sunning Hill to Water Valley main road as being in “abominable” condition and also highlighted the Morant Bay to Wilmington roadway as requiring urgent intervention.

Shaw also raised concerns about access to Lyssons Beach, noting that deteriorating conditions have limited public access to what was once a popular recreational spot.

“Persons cannot even access Lyssons Beach to go and have a good time. First time you used to have people go on a picnic, I know that over the years, TPDCo (Tourism Product Development Company) spend some money on it, I don’t know what is happening there,” she said.

“They say we were the forgotten parish and things are looking up. I want to see it and I want the residents to see it,” Shaw added.

Shaw affirmed her commitment to advocating for the needs of her constituents and ensuring that St Thomas receives the attention it deserves.

(Video: Llewellyn Wynter)