Profligacy and party conferences

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Jamaica’s two major political parties spend many millions of dollars to stage their one-day party conferences, annually. It seems to me that each of those parties would be far better off finding a four- or five-acre plot of land for sale (at a suitable location), buying that plot of land, constructing a facility that can accommodate 50,000 to 60,000 persons indoors, installing the necessary infrastructure, including a suitable parking lot, a large indoor platform, large TV monitors, a suitable speaker system, a turntable, lights, restrooms, air condition units, etc. – and, subsequently, stage their party conferences there.

If the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and/or the People’s National Party (PNP) took that bold step, it would, significantly, reduce the massive sums they currently spend on their party conferences at the National Arena.

Additionally, such a facility could be an income earner, for one or both parties, as, when not in use by the party, the venue could be advertised for rent to local and/or foreign party promoters, concert promoters, private sector entities (to facilitate their conventions, awards functions, Christmas parties, etc.).

NOT A GOOD LOOK

It’s time for the JLP and the PNP to stop spending ridiculous sums of money to stage annual party conferences. It is not a good look, particularly, at a time when, for many citizens, the cost of living is too high; poverty levels remain too high; and too many local charity organisations exist that would benefit, significantly, from and be grateful for even five or ten per cent of the respective sums that each of the two major political parties spend, annually, to stage their respective conferences.

Profligacy – or the perception, thereof – is never a good look for a political party and/or for a government. Set a better example and be more sensitive toward the single mother, who is a domestic helper and struggles to make ends meet for herself and her three children; and toward the basic school teacher, public hospital nurse and the firefighter, who live from pay cheque to pay cheque.

PATRICK GALLIMORE