‘We are aware of all political risks’
... Phillips says in voting against SOE extensions
WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING that the decision not to support an extension of the states of pubic emergency in three parishes could have dire political consequences, Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips is resolute that his party did the right thing in upholding the constitutional rights of Jamaicans.
The parliamentary Opposition’s vote on Tuesday in Gordon House against an extension of the states of emergency in St James, St Catherine north, and sections of Kingston, has exploded into a raging national debate, with a heated clash of opinions between various stakeholders and ordinary Jamaicans.
Yesterday, the People’s National Party (PNP) president said plainly that the Opposition made the decision with its eyes wide open.
RESPECT RIGHTS OF CITIZENS
“We did not arrive at our decision lightly. We are aware of all the political risks that are involved, but there comes a time when you need to do the right thing, the lawful thing, the constitutionally approved thing rather than simply act in pursuit of political expediency,” he said at a press conference at the party’s St Andrew headquarters.
With the cessation of the states of emergency, Phillips argued that the security forces need not be withdrawn but should still be deployed in the areas that require their presence.
“There is a general misconception, an illusion that the ending of a state of emergency means that the police have to pack up all their equipment and send it back to Harman Barracks in town or Up Park Camp. It is not true. Nothing has to change,” he said.