Overall impression

The Throne Speech was well written and well read, [but] it is similar to the many throne speeches that we have seen over the many years. It brought me to a point where I am not too moved by it. Not too moved because it is almost routine, much of what is said was said last year. Much of what is said was said to make me feel good ... . It is what I expected to hear but I was tad bit disappointed in that it is no different.

Focus on youth development

I took note that issues relating to young people and youth development were not mentioned so I just wonder where our problem is and how we decide to deal with the problem.

Move by government to establish parenting commission

I think it is a forward step. It is good and it is needed because we realise that far too many of our children, far too many young people don't know what it is to be good citizens. My concern is what is the mandate of this parenting commission? What are the terms of reference? What will be done to ensure that at the grass roots, the issues relating to social development are dealt with?

Overall impression

Great on speech, short on reality. We hear about the family, we hear about the community, but what are the day-to-day problems, what is facing people? What is keeping people where they are [which is] in a pit? What kind of help are we ready to provide to help people to get out of the pit that they are in today? So I would have liked a little bit more reality.

Move by government to establish parenting commission

I have seen a lot of commissions in my life. My usual impression of a commission is that Government or anybody set them up when they don't know what else to do. What really is the problem? Because this is what I don't like. What is the problem that this is supposed to be solved?

Crime and justice reform

For me, getting rid of the backlog [of cases before the courts] is critical because it delays justice.

About crime and violence, what is new? I am still looking. I see strong legislative action. What does that mean? Does that mean further disrespect for poor people? The new initiatives are reducing people's rights rather than improving people's protection.

Overall impression

This looks very much like the [Throne Speech] last year and the year before. I was looking forward to some new leadership that is going to stand out and say and do something different. We hope that the other speeches that follow will go a far way in giving us substance as to how these dreams will become reality.

Dealing with the economic crisis, tax reform and small business development

Tax reform, we have been stressing that for the longest while and we definitely need a tax system that is going to be simple, equitable and friendly to investors.

Focus on Education

I am happy that education was mentioned the way it was. Education cannot be just teaching people to read and write, you have to teach people how to become useful members of the society.

Overall impression

Yes, the speech was general, (but) we need specific measures to address the problem that we are facing in the nation. But the Throne Speech is rallying the people it is not going to be an effort just on the Government's part but every Jamaican has to play a part in it.

Move by government to establish parenting commission

Is it that we are going to be asking persons to sit on this commission and they are going to be paid ... because we don't have money and we are trying to conserve on the budget.

Overall impression

I can't say that I am necessarily surprised. I think it follows the format of all throne speeches, which is wonderfully vague, and I think that is really the issue. The only thing that I think you can take [away from the Throne Speech] as opposed to last year there seemed to be more of a thrust toward family values.

Focus on youth development

I was hoping to get more from it seeing that it was a crucial topic in last year's Throne Speech. I thought that this year we would have looked at a more expansive approach in terms of where you fall in terms of youth development and youth leadership.

What is your general reaction to the Throne Speech?

I am very disappointed in the Throne Speech. What has been put before us is nothing new and the irony of the speech is that the governor general stated that extraordinary times demand extraordinary leadership and I do not see anything in the throne speech that is extraordinary.

The governor general spoke about the recession. what is your take on its implications?

The collapse of the formal system will create an opportunity for the underclass to emerge and that is what I am expecting will happen. Instead of looking to the state, we should look to our own strength and resilience. That is why I am pleased with the fact that the Government will be taking a new look at the role of NGOs.

What are your views on the plans for tax reform?

The inequity in the tax system has to be addressed because, as it is now, it allows the upper echelon of society to get away without paying their taxes, leaving the country to depend on the PAYE to support the capital budget and that is not enough and it is also not fair.