THE EDITOR, Sir:

I READ with interest an article quoting Prime Minister Golding as having initiated dialogue with the opposition leader regarding the appointment of a senator to represent the diaspora.

As the representative for the United States North East on the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board, let me state that this is my personal opinion and in no way reflects the position of the region I represent.

I believe that Jamaica has more important issues that require more immediate focus than to address a constitutional change to include those of us who have voluntarily chosen to live in another country which we now call home.

Serious matters

I can think of many scenarios that may be make the proposal more problematic than we realise and which may do more harm than good. I will attempt to highlight a few in this letter. Will we select a diaspora senator from all countries in which there are Jamaicans? Who will determine if it is only one and where that representative should come from? If it is one senator from the diaspora, how will that senator address concerns of Jamaicans in the US, United Kingdom or Canada - countries which have the largest concentration of Jamaicans living overseas?

Since a Senate appointment is not a payable concern, what will Jamaica require for attendance at Parliament, if the appointee has to hold his or her job to maintain his or her family? Will both political parties have a senator to represent them? Will the senator vote on issues that affect the diaspora only via a bill?

What about the issue of registration to vote. If one sits in the lower House or the Senate, should not that person be a registered voter? If so, do we now open the process for Jamaicans living in the diaspora to be registered?

Support staff and stipend

Instead of a senator, I would suggest that we discuss seriously the idea of using the position I currently hold as an independent functionary that is supported by the Government, so that we could have a support staff with stipend to travel the areas we now represent. The advisory board would be required to meet more frequently, using the available technology (audio/video) to our advantage.

The fact that we in the diaspora, via remittances, barrels, etc., contribute significantly to the economy, does not make it a requirement for tinkering with our Constitution. If so, then the tourism/bauxite sectors, etc., should require these 'rights' also.

In the near future, with the changes of demographics, remittances and barrels will decrease significantly as the majority with the close connections age.

We have been studying of late, other diaspora nationalities in the New York area. They have as much or better interest in their respective countries, yet they are not demanding or have that interest in becoming active in the legislatures of their countries of origin.

I beg of our leaders to deal with the economy and, most important, ways in which we can get our countrymen to be more united.

I am, etc.,

PATRICK A BECKFORD

pbeckf01@yahoo.com

Somerset, New Jersey, USA