Gordon Robinson | Ask questions before you vote

A member of parliament’s (MP) work is, as they keep telling us, far more extensive than the Constitutional duty to “make laws for the peace, order and good government of Jamaica”.

This is kinda true. But, since the Constitution is supreme law, the only extraneous activities a MP can lawfully perform must be connected to the performance of his/her parliamentary duties. Since MPs’ duties involve representation of constituents alone, any extraneous activity should be or be linked to consultation with constituents to inform MPs’ representations. Extraneous activities would also involve advocating for programmes that can uplift constituents to enable more informed consultations. The fundamental purpose of any MP’s activity must always be constituents’ representation.

For the past five years or so, my travels around Jamaica have been limited then reduced to near zero by the pandemic. But I remain confident I’ve seen enough to say no Jamaican MP does a better job at consultative representation than Julian Robinson, MP for South East St Andrew, the constituency in which I reside.

I hasten to add Julian and I are not related (good news for him) although his father, who was one of my father’s favourite students at JC (both hail from Westmoreland), keeps reminding me he knew when I was born. Recently, I read Julian’s 12th annual Constituency Report for year ending December 31, 2023. He has produced one every year since becoming MP.

The report is detailed, reader friendly and informative. Most importantly, on Twitter, Julian welcomed feedback and comments. In addition to his annual reports, Julian regularly holds constituency consultation meetings especially regarding proposed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) expenditure.

The report, published January 14 on his website, includes a line by line account of funds spent from his CDF allocation. Expenditure for many projects is itemised under ‘Human and Social Development’. This is essential to improve an MP’s ability to represent by improving constituents’ ability to provide input. Expenditure on constituency mitigation programmes including road repairs, drain cleaning and de-bushing was also itemised.

But the most important item for me was a report, also under ‘Human and Social Development’, on his new Youth at Risk training programme, in collaboration with HEART Trust/NSTA, which offers practical skills training in areas like cosmetology, electrical work, construction, customer service and housekeeping. In all, 187 students were enrolled in this programme.

It’s not his fault a former government forced Parliament to introduce the CDF that, in my opinion, breaches two fundamental constitutional provisions, namely the manner in which budgeted funds can be spent and the concept of separation of powers. No MP should be spending public funds no matter how cutely it’s disguised. The practice has snowballed with recent announced allocations to MPs for various constituency issues like road repairs masquerading as “MP recommended” instead of “MP spending”. You need a search warrant to locate the difference.

So Julian is forced to go along or be the throbbing sore thumb that annoys his 62 colleagues essentially spending taxpayers’ money as they like. At least, in Julian’s annual reports, constituents can see where every dollar has gone. At constituency meetings they also consider proposed programmes before submission for CDF funding.

He also listed his parliamentary efforts which included advocacy on behalf of constituents for transparency and accountability in government and for systems to improve living conditions for the vulnerable.

Now THAT’s what an MP doing his job looks like.

So now I want you to imagine that the PNP wins majority seats in the next general election and Julian is appointed minister of finance, planning and the public service. Read his 2023 annual report again then tell me how he’ll find time for both jobs. The short answer is he won’t. He was a junior minister 2012-16 but this will be a different kettle of hot water. Take an educated guess which of these two jobs will fall by the wayside as he concentrates on the other. My guess is one of Jamaica’s best MPs will become just another now-you-see-me-now-you-don’t MP.

He may or may not be an excellent finance minister but the people of South East St Andrew look nailed on to be the losers in this Westminster-driven multi-tasking garbage. It won’t be long before that future PNP government and its double-dipping MP-ministers become the target of the same barbs and accusations now plaguing the current Government. Archers’ names will change but slings and arrows will be as sharp and deadly.

Mark Golding was in his ackee at a recent PNP meeting lecturing delirious party supporters: “Jamaica needs a Government that the people can have trust and confidence in – a Government that isn’t here to tek di people’s resources and give it to dem friends and cronies.”

I agree. But Jamaica hasn’t had such a Government in 60 years. Jamaican politics has been about a battle for scarce benefits and political spoils carried on by hostile tribes perpetually at war. As political cannons roar loud and smoke covers the campaign battlefields, constituents make up the majority of wounded and dying lying on the bloodstained ground. Jamaica’s two main political tribes have rotated winning battles then using too much of their time in power constructing policies to “tek di people’s resources and give it to dem friends and cronies”. Why’d another PNP government be any different no matter how different Mark says he is?

Governments scrape from and corrupt institutions because they can. We don’t need another round of musical chairs at the feeding tree. What we need is a new system of governance that makes scraping and corrupting harder than they now are. The current system allows the political party winning most constituency elections in a farcical plebiscite misnamed ‘general election’ to cause winning MPs to abandon their representational duties in pursuit of the Holy Grail of absolute power over every state organ.

I believe Mark is personally as squeaky clean as he says he is. But, even so, how will he control the corrupt politicians, activists, contributors and hangers-on that plague EVERY political leader and who insist on receiving expensive quids in exchange for supportive quos? On what factual, historical or constitutional basis can he promise anything different?

Our system ensures that, once per decade, Government’s unchecked power is rotated into the hands of the power hungry and materially disaffected after years in political wilderness. Suddenly, they’ll be able to control scarce state resources’ distribution. They’ll control Parliament. They’ll control Cabinet. They’ll control appointment of statutory boards and regulatory agencies including Public Services Commission and Judicial Services Commission. They’ll control their own salary arrangements and tax rebates. They’ll control so many aspects of your life it’ll make your head spin.

They’ll continue to tax us extortionately with income tax, GCT, education tax, NHT, NIS, gas tax; while trumpeting “no new taxes” (there’s nothing else left to tax but the air we breathe). In return they’ll continue to offer rundown health and education services at inflated prices; a ramshackle public transport system at best – corrupt and dangerous at worst. They’ll be able to tax us to death without offering anything that a Government ought to be offering even the most vulnerable of its citizens.

There’ll be no check. No balance. No accountability. So, WHAT IS MARK’s PLAN for his Government to be different from the countless others we’ve endured for 60 years? His initial very specific promise for more intra-party democracy has already been cast on the dump heap of Jamaican political promises. Why would you believe vague generalities promised to get your vote so they can receive the same treatment once in office?

Any politician who tells you his/her Government will be different without promising fundamental constitutional change to replace colonial Westminster with a governance system emphasising accountability, power-sharing and democracy is a wolf in wolf’s clothing. It can’t be done! So before you cast what’s called a vote in THAT system, ask candidates HOW they plan to be different in the same system. Ask candidates if they plan to change the system. Ask them how, if they end up in cabinet, will your needs be represented especially when those needs contradict government policy.

Also, try to get to know your MP candidate. Despite what you’ve been told by polytricksters, you can’t vote for PNP or JLP in the ‘general’ election. Please stop this traditional nonsense of marking an ‘x’ beside the Head or the Bell while not having a clue who you’ve actually voted for. You are only allowed to vote for an MP so ensure you vote for someone who’ll represent YOU. Until real constitutional change gives you a real vote for head of government, separately from your MP, please vote for the best choice for MP.

Peace and love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.