The new prime minister of Jamaica, Hon. Andrew Holness, has expressed the view that US citizens should be allowed to serve in parliament in Jamaica.
I totally disagree with view.
Readers will recall that as the Constitution stands, anyone who pledges allegiance to another country outside of the Commonwealth, is intelligible to run for parliamentary office or be employed in some public positions, for example the Director of Elections.
I have no qualms about agreeing that no Commonwealth citizen should have any greater right to represent the people of Jamaica in parliament than any other dual citizen, but where I part company with the prime minister is that I believe that no one who does not have total commitment to the Jamaican nation and Jamaica alone, should not be enacting important legislation for the rest of us. For when they make a mess of this country, all they have to do is move to the other country which they also have allegiance to, leaving us to suffer because of their actions.
In my book therefore, the restrictions should not only apply to people with dual citizenship but also those with Green Cards as well.
Anyway, this matter is of far too much importance for us to be dealing with it on an off the cuff basis.
Nothing but a referendum, and an early one to boot, should suffice to deal with this most important issue.
I totally disagree with view.
Readers will recall that as the Constitution stands, anyone who pledges allegiance to another country outside of the Commonwealth, is intelligible to run for parliamentary office or be employed in some public positions, for example the Director of Elections.
I have no qualms about agreeing that no Commonwealth citizen should have any greater right to represent the people of Jamaica in parliament than any other dual citizen, but where I part company with the prime minister is that I believe that no one who does not have total commitment to the Jamaican nation and Jamaica alone, should not be enacting important legislation for the rest of us. For when they make a mess of this country, all they have to do is move to the other country which they also have allegiance to, leaving us to suffer because of their actions.
In my book therefore, the restrictions should not only apply to people with dual citizenship but also those with Green Cards as well.
Anyway, this matter is of far too much importance for us to be dealing with it on an off the cuff basis.
Nothing but a referendum, and an early one to boot, should suffice to deal with this most important issue.
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