Dear Editor,
Jamaica is only now looking seriously at the business of cars for ministers of government and the heavy cost to taxpayers that goes with this privilege. However, the British government began dealing with the question in 2009 when the prime minister met it head-on.
David Cameron, influenced by parliamentarian Chris Mullen, who had refused the car assigned to him, told the House: "If there's something that really annoys people, it's seeing politicians swanning around in chauffeur-driven cars like they're the royal family. There is no need for 171 of these cars to be on hand for every government minister, whip - and indeed, myself. In these economic times, when everyone is making their own sacrifice, this number cannot be justified. So the Conservatives will cut the budget for official government cars by a third." The move is estimated to save the British taxpayers £6 million per year.
Mullen in his diaries recorded the following:
"I am entitled to a car and a driver. Entirely pointless since the 159 and three buses will continue to run past my door, even though I am a minister. Jessica (my private secretary), who cycles in from Brixton, was sympathetic, but explained that the situation is a little more complicated than I might suppose. For a start, red boxes cannot be transported by public transport.
"She also explained that the funding of the government car pool is geared to encourage maximum use of the car. The drivers are on a low basic wage and are heavily dependent on overtime. So, if I accept a driver, he will be hanging around all day doing nothing and hating me for not giving him enough to do."
Compare that concern for taxpayers in England as against the arrogance of our own pampered parliamentarians of the neo-colonial age. Our prime minister says in response to critics of the $60 million spent on high-end vehicles for politicians: "I don't support any minister going above and beyond, taking vehicles that are retrofitted and all kinds of things...but if we continue the politics the same way, we soon will not be able to have suitable people to be our representatives."
And from the Opposition benches, a former minister defensively declares: "Government ministers need to have reliable vehicles, especially since many of them have to travel a lot for job-related matters."
Should good conscience have its way, our representatives would advocate a car pool to serve ministers as needed for official business. Also, no government vehicle would be sold to anyone unless at a proper auction.
Ken Jones
Kingston 8
kensjones2002@yahoo.com
Have a car pool for ministers
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Jamaica is only now looking seriously at the business of cars for ministers of government and the heavy cost to taxpayers that goes with this privilege. However, the British government began dealing with the question in 2009 when the prime minister met it head-on.
David Cameron, influenced by parliamentarian Chris Mullen, who had refused the car assigned to him, told the House: "If there's something that really annoys people, it's seeing politicians swanning around in chauffeur-driven cars like they're the royal family. There is no need for 171 of these cars to be on hand for every government minister, whip - and indeed, myself. In these economic times, when everyone is making their own sacrifice, this number cannot be justified. So the Conservatives will cut the budget for official government cars by a third." The move is estimated to save the British taxpayers £6 million per year.
Mullen in his diaries recorded the following:
"I am entitled to a car and a driver. Entirely pointless since the 159 and three buses will continue to run past my door, even though I am a minister. Jessica (my private secretary), who cycles in from Brixton, was sympathetic, but explained that the situation is a little more complicated than I might suppose. For a start, red boxes cannot be transported by public transport.
"She also explained that the funding of the government car pool is geared to encourage maximum use of the car. The drivers are on a low basic wage and are heavily dependent on overtime. So, if I accept a driver, he will be hanging around all day doing nothing and hating me for not giving him enough to do."
Compare that concern for taxpayers in England as against the arrogance of our own pampered parliamentarians of the neo-colonial age. Our prime minister says in response to critics of the $60 million spent on high-end vehicles for politicians: "I don't support any minister going above and beyond, taking vehicles that are retrofitted and all kinds of things...but if we continue the politics the same way, we soon will not be able to have suitable people to be our representatives."
And from the Opposition benches, a former minister defensively declares: "Government ministers need to have reliable vehicles, especially since many of them have to travel a lot for job-related matters."
Should good conscience have its way, our representatives would advocate a car pool to serve ministers as needed for official business. Also, no government vehicle would be sold to anyone unless at a proper auction.
Ken Jones
Kingston 8
kensjones2002@yahoo.com
Have a car pool for ministers
-->