Dear Editor,

I am appalled at Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller’s explanation as to why her Cabinet has to be so large, yet when she was in Opposition she chastised Mr Golding for the size of his Cabinet, which was smaller.

The prime minister’s attempt to justify the decision to have eight junior ministers on payroll is ridiculous and, at most, disparaging. She claimed it’s about succession planning and the junior ministers should be learning from the senior ministers so that they can come into their own. I would like the prime minister to be mindful that we have not forgotten about the case involving Kern Spencer, a junior minister at the time, and it was indeed the same mindset that brought about that light bulb saga.

Furthermore, it is unfair for the taxpayers to be paying for your young party members to be understudying the seniors. Like everybody else, they should pay their tuition fees at the tertiary level. We are already burdened by tuition-free education at the secondary level, so we cannot afford any free rides on the JEEP for your party soldiers.

The media should remind the PNP that their campaign was on the basis that their team was experienced and ready for the job of leading the country. At no time was there any mention of turning Gordon House into schooling for PNP youth to take over. Our beloved prime minister should recognise that she erred and there is no justification for such actions, but rather move speedily to remedy this situation and return to the table, as she had implied that her Government would be servants and as such she would have consultation with the Jamaican people.

The PM also needs to be mindful of the fact that one of the reasons the PNP won the election was the notion that the previous administration was arrogant and exclusive, so it would serve them best not to fall into that category.

The Opposition should not now fall asleep on the job like in previous years and allow the Government to get away with wasteful spending and malpractices. You are being paid to do a job, so do it as we will need accountability from you as well.

Melvin Pennant

warriorsunleashed@gmail.com

Portia Simpson Miller