Before I begin sharing my thoughts on the matter of dual citizenship, I must make it clear that this discourse is not for those readers who have People's National Party (PNP), or Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in their DNA or even for those who wear orange- or green-tinted glasses. My thoughts are directed to those readers who can take a dispassionate look at the situation and are brave enough to articulate a position that is objective and rational. This does not mean that readers need to agree with my position on the matter.

As the battle for the West Portland seat rages, I cannot help but wonder if all this is a part of a carefully orchestrated plan by the PNP while the JLP was caught napping. Was Abe Dabdoub strategically placed in West Portland because he knew of Daryl Vaz's dual-citizenship status? Why did Norman Horne give up his American citizenship before nomination day prior to the last general election?

I am contending that the matter of dual citizenship and serving in the Houses of Parliament could have been settled long ago if politicians had Jamaica at heart rather than their narrow partisan interests.

Election petitions

Jamaica is a member of the Caribbean Single Market (CSM). Therefore, after the 2001 general election in Trinidad, when Justice Ivor Archie ruled that the constitutional rights of two junior ministers were not breached by attempts to unseat them from the House of Representatives after two of their unsuccessful opponents had brought election petitions asking the courts to declare their nominations null and void because they had dual citizenship, the matter should have been discussed in Jamaica and decisions taken at that time, given that we have similar constitutions. We should have set our 'houses' in order from then.

Could it be that instead of raising the issue in Parliament, it was left as a trump card for such a time as this? It is obvious that dual citizenship is not the real issue, or else the PNP would not have selected someone with dual citizenship to represent the party because the law allows it. We deserve better than this. Politics is an expensive game. How long will Jamaica be ignored in 'the fight for scarce benefits and spoils?'

I am, etc.,

WINNIE ANDERSON- BROWN

winab@cwjamaica.com