Dear Editor,
Recently, I have been noticing a new self-aggrandising political term called "MP caretaker or caretaker MP."
As far as I am concerned, the joining of the names of the two positions is utter rubbish and it trivialises the Jamaican Parliament.
The term "MP" is reserved absolutely for an elected member of the parliament and a "caretaker" is a non-elected official who is a representative of his or her political party that lost in the previous election, or is newly placed in a constituency or division. In both scenarios the individual is hopeful of winning in the next election.
To my certain knowledge, you are either a member of parliament or you aren't. Therefore, the continued use of this term is an insult to the very idea of the place to which they aspire to reach.
Even the notion of a caretaker itself is a fallacy, as in all honesty they are in no real position to take care of anything. This is because they have no real power to effect change in the constituency not being the elected representatives. Let us show respect for the system of democracy as it stands and discourage the use of this ridiculous term of self-importance.
If it is that an individual is vying to become the Member of Parliament for a constituency then that person should be referred to as what they are, a candidate, nothing more, and nothing less and stop this MP caretaker foolishness, as most of these individuals cannot take care of themselves much less a constituency.
Alexis Ferguson
lexifergie66@gmail.com
Stop this MP-Caretaker foolishness
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Recently, I have been noticing a new self-aggrandising political term called "MP caretaker or caretaker MP."
As far as I am concerned, the joining of the names of the two positions is utter rubbish and it trivialises the Jamaican Parliament.
The term "MP" is reserved absolutely for an elected member of the parliament and a "caretaker" is a non-elected official who is a representative of his or her political party that lost in the previous election, or is newly placed in a constituency or division. In both scenarios the individual is hopeful of winning in the next election.
To my certain knowledge, you are either a member of parliament or you aren't. Therefore, the continued use of this term is an insult to the very idea of the place to which they aspire to reach.
Even the notion of a caretaker itself is a fallacy, as in all honesty they are in no real position to take care of anything. This is because they have no real power to effect change in the constituency not being the elected representatives. Let us show respect for the system of democracy as it stands and discourage the use of this ridiculous term of self-importance.
If it is that an individual is vying to become the Member of Parliament for a constituency then that person should be referred to as what they are, a candidate, nothing more, and nothing less and stop this MP caretaker foolishness, as most of these individuals cannot take care of themselves much less a constituency.
Alexis Ferguson
lexifergie66@gmail.com
Stop this MP-Caretaker foolishness
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