Dear Editor,
The Member of Parliament for South West St Catherine has been called the maverick of the Jamaican Parliament. Some dislike while others revere his sharp tongue that seemingly complements his heavy-hitting personality. Unfortunately, Warmington has stumbled and fallen flat on his rarely apologetic face over his own uncouth utterances. We recall his infamous outburst in 2011 — "Go to hell!"— in response to a question about his candidacy.
It's not the first time Warmington has made such a critical comment about the electorate. In 2007, he told Jamaica Labour Party supporters that they would not get hurricane relief if they didn't vote for the JLP in local government elections. An unsigned apology statement was issued 10 days later. Three years earlier, in his May 2004 parliamentary speech, he said "people who don't vote in elections should not expect support from elected representatives". Here we see that it's not just an off-the-cuff sound bite, but his self-indulgent, power-centric, and politically twisted view of democracy.
His demented theory on democracy seems based on the mantra "you scratch my back, I scratch yours" that also can be linked to Roger Clarke in 2012 as he addressed a group of farmers.
It shows how emboldened our elected officials feel, that they can publicly solicit votes, through projects intended to better the lives of people, without a hint of remorse or shame.
MP Warmington has reinforced his position, saying "those who do not vote should not expect state benefits", simultaneously bashing non-voters for "complaining too much". He is wrong. Although 10 countries, including Australia, enforce compulsory voting, we have yet to make that decision and shouldn't consider it because there is more to choosing not to vote rather than not voting out of disregard.
Not voting is, in fact, participating, because it sends a signal to politicians. This is also why people are wrong when they claim their vote probably won't count because the election won't be decided by a single vote. The number of people who vote for a politician sends a signal about the support that he/she has. It's true that not voting is an unclear signal; the same is true of voting just because.
The idea that voting is a deep moral obligation is something we are told by society. Due to our history, there is a particular idea that voting honours the struggles of our forefathers. This message is mistaken.
People should feel free to not vote.
Finally, MP Warmington would be mindful of how he marginalises those who don't vote, as they are, in truth, potential voters.
Mario Boothe
m.raphael.b@gmail.com
'Lloyd B' got it right!
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The Member of Parliament for South West St Catherine has been called the maverick of the Jamaican Parliament. Some dislike while others revere his sharp tongue that seemingly complements his heavy-hitting personality. Unfortunately, Warmington has stumbled and fallen flat on his rarely apologetic face over his own uncouth utterances. We recall his infamous outburst in 2011 — "Go to hell!"— in response to a question about his candidacy.
It's not the first time Warmington has made such a critical comment about the electorate. In 2007, he told Jamaica Labour Party supporters that they would not get hurricane relief if they didn't vote for the JLP in local government elections. An unsigned apology statement was issued 10 days later. Three years earlier, in his May 2004 parliamentary speech, he said "people who don't vote in elections should not expect support from elected representatives". Here we see that it's not just an off-the-cuff sound bite, but his self-indulgent, power-centric, and politically twisted view of democracy.
His demented theory on democracy seems based on the mantra "you scratch my back, I scratch yours" that also can be linked to Roger Clarke in 2012 as he addressed a group of farmers.
It shows how emboldened our elected officials feel, that they can publicly solicit votes, through projects intended to better the lives of people, without a hint of remorse or shame.
MP Warmington has reinforced his position, saying "those who do not vote should not expect state benefits", simultaneously bashing non-voters for "complaining too much". He is wrong. Although 10 countries, including Australia, enforce compulsory voting, we have yet to make that decision and shouldn't consider it because there is more to choosing not to vote rather than not voting out of disregard.
Not voting is, in fact, participating, because it sends a signal to politicians. This is also why people are wrong when they claim their vote probably won't count because the election won't be decided by a single vote. The number of people who vote for a politician sends a signal about the support that he/she has. It's true that not voting is an unclear signal; the same is true of voting just because.
The idea that voting is a deep moral obligation is something we are told by society. Due to our history, there is a particular idea that voting honours the struggles of our forefathers. This message is mistaken.
People should feel free to not vote.
Finally, MP Warmington would be mindful of how he marginalises those who don't vote, as they are, in truth, potential voters.
Mario Boothe
m.raphael.b@gmail.com
'Lloyd B' got it right!
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