The Editor, Sir:

Many of us were turned on to Bruce Golding and the NDM in 1995 when they advocated for separation of powers, consti-tutional reform and the dismantling of political garrisons. When Mr Golding rejoined the JLP in 2002, he reassured the country that he had not abandoned his fundamental political message. In fact, his Memorandum of Understanding which formed the basis of his return to the JLP contained some of the key issues related to constitutional reform.

Reform

Now that Mr Golding is the prime minister, we expected to hear and see more from him in the direction of constitutional reform, separation of powers and the dismantling of garrisons. We believe, as Mr Golding articulated then, that much of the country's ills are attributed to an ineffective constitutional arrangement and the political tribalism and crime emanating from the garrisons. I was disappointed, therefore, that the prime minister's three-hour-long presentation was woefully short on these key issues.

Mr Golding must indicate clearly to the country whether he has abandoned the principles for which he left the JLP in 1995, the principles on which he founded the NDM, and the principles which formed the basis for his return to the JLP in 2002, and the principles for which many in the electorate supported his bid to become the 'chief servant'.

I am, etc.,

ORVILLE PLUMMER

oaplummer@yahoo.com

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica