Dear Editor,

The current Administration, if truly serious about getting a third term, needs to have a backup finance minister.

In 2018, the Administration had to look beyond the halls of Parliament to find a suitable replacement for Audley Shaw. This year, Prime Minister Andrew Holness had to name the only person with the qualifications in finance to take over the ministry post-Dr Nigel Clarke.

The minister of finance, in my opinion, is the most powerful minister in Cabinet; hence, both the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and People’s National Party (PNP) should always have more than one options in Parliament.

In the upcoming general election next year, I believe the Government should ensure Aubyn Hill and Dr Dana Morris Dixon are in the Lower House of Parliament. It is good for us as a nation to have a deep bench in such an important ministry.

A finance minister with no possible replacement will always be too complacent. While I understand that the business sector wants stability and doesn’t like changes in the ministry, every Cabinet reshuffle will motivate the finance minister to perform, knowing the position is not safe due to the number of people in the party who could easily replace him/her.

Hill and Morris Dixon are good candidates for St Andrew North Eastern, Clarendon Western, and St Elizabeth North Western.

As for the PNP, it should try to find a place for Peter Bunting, Dr Keith Duncan, and Kisha Anderson in the Lower House.

Fayval Williams is doing an okay job so far, but I believe having more competition will force her to be a great communicator and a more ‘likeable’ public figure.

Teddylee Gray

Ocho Rios, St Ann

teddylee.gray@gmail.com