THE GET-RICH MINDSET

Jun 07, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

It seems that the job of a Member of Parliament (MP) in Guyana is not too difficult because most MPs have a second and perhaps a third job. Some work very hard to add tremendous value to Parliament with their wisdom and diligence; others keep a low profile by doing very little. Despite being in a position to make policies, all MPs hands are not on deck to deal with the pressing issues affecting the nation, especially the poor.
We are aware that MPs have duties to their constituents and to their parties, but being an MP seems more like a sideline job. We have 65 well-paid MPs who work hours like a university lecturer but have much more days off and holidays. While MPs are paid whether the nation is thriving or struggling, it seems that many do not have a deep commitment to the job.
Some say that it has to do with the remuneration for those who rely on parliament. For others parliament is a second job or even a third job.
MPs are a varied group. Some prepare and contribute extensively to the debates in Parliament, others are in the job for the tax breaks and duty free concessions. The nation would prefer to have MPs who are honest and would make sacrifices to serve the nation. It is only during the budget debates that MPs are in Parliament for the duration of the budget presentation.
At other times, they sit once or twice a week.
Most of our MPs have extravagant benefits, luxurious cars and modern houses. They can enjoy extensive vacation, good pension, and decent health care. MPs do not have performance appraisals or a termination clause.
As in the civil service, lateness, absenteeism from Parliament or committee meetings, lack of contributions to bills and misconduct are not placed on their record. While there are many excellent MPs, some are horrendous and others are so-so, but ineffective MPs cannot be removed unless they resign, dead or are recalled by their party. There should be rules for MPs to make sure the taxpayers receive the value for their money.
Because Parliament meets for only a few days a year, the backlog of its business increases, laws are not passed, committee work remains incomplete, debate truncated, private motions killed and the nation’s concerns left unattended. The time has come to change the present model of Parliament to fit reality.
We need MPs with higher skills, longer working hours, and who will address the problems facing the country.
It is important that in over 50 years of self-rule, we have done little to refit the Westminster model bequeathed to us by the British to meet our needs. Self-rule has made many lawyers, trade unionists and businessmen and women MPs, but they have not united the people and develop the country.
Self-rule has made some poorer, but some veteran and some young MPs have become multi-millionaires from politics and are living extremely well. We need rules to change the way MPs behave and to hold them accountable. There should be laws to prosecute them for their unexpected wealth. Of course, parliament exempts them from prosecution under certain conditions.
It is said that public officials who are in the same position for too long will master the arts to illicit enrichment and become corrupt. We should remove the “get rich” mindset from the job of MPs and infuse it with accountability to lift the stench of corruption.

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