Dear Editor,
I write to urge the next Parliament to fulfil its long-standing promise of constitutional reform — specifically, the introduction of elections every two years. As reported by Antigua News Room, this letter reflects the frustration of at least one resident who believes that meaningful public services are only delivered when votes are on the line.
The pattern is difficult to ignore. Ahead of the recent St. Phillips by-election, a clinic reopened, an MBS Pharmacy was established, water supply was restored to Willikies after weeks of absence, and roads were hastily repaired. The approach appears consistent across both major political parties.
With a general election now set for later this month, the trend has continued. The government announced a five percent salary increase for approximately 15,000 civil servants, a five percent rise in pensions, reductions in ABST, and the absorption of fuel cost increases — measures that arrive after years of relative inaction.
The All Saints road rehabilitation, which was promised to begin last December, only commenced this week. The writer attributes the delay and sudden urgency to electoral timing, and expresses serious doubts about the quality and longevity of work carried out by the Public Works Department.
The letter argues that a two-year election cycle would, if nothing else, compel more frequent delivery of basic services. It also warns that the All Saints road will likely need to be rebuilt within two years, describing the project as a monumental waste of taxpayers' money given what the writer characterises as the Public Works Department's poor track record.
The writer closes with a simple declaration: fed-up and frustrated.
