Code of conduct for gov't reps

The Editor, Sir:

The behaviour of some of our politicians, past and present, has demonstrated the immediate necessity for the development of a code of ethics and conduct for them. Central to this is to get them to be more accountable to the people. Should an elected official run afoul of the law or breach the code in any way, regardless of the personal consequences, it should result in immediate resignation or termination.

While all citizens are striving towards the best governance, those who seek elected office are asking eligible voters to trust them only at their word at the highest level. Those who put themselves up for national leadership should be held to a higher moral and ethical standard.

Jamaicans struggle every day with our reputation in the world. The recent saga in connection with the extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke has only served to exacerbate the situation. Now that the extradition has taken place, it is necessary for us to seize the opportunity to study the nexus between politics, business and crime so that appropriate measures can be implemented to ensure that we never walk this road again.

Garrison family

The former commissioner of police has labelled Tivoli Gardens as the 'mother of all garrisons', which is a clear indication that other members of the garrison family, i.e., father, brother, sister, etc., are alive and kicking. To remove one leader of a garrison and expect a solution to the problem of crime and violence is lunacy.

In fact, this is just like cutting down the trunk of the tree while the roots run deep, remain alive and will sprout again. There is enough evidence in Jamaica regarding 'area leadership' to prove this. We have to go to the root of the problem, 'degarrisonise' the country and start a whole new social and moral revolution so that people in those communities can see themselves with some hope other than the don.

It is high time that we get serious about how we are being represented. All well-thinking Jamaicans are ashamed of the behaviour of our politicians, and recent revelations about the leaking of sensitive information and indifference shown to the information by politicians at the highest levels have only added insult to injury. This Government, by its actions, has so humiliated our country that where certain matters are concerned it is difficult for us to expect to be taken seriously in the world.

I am, etc.,

Lloyd Maxwell

maxwelllf@hotmail.com

USA