An executive leather chair for $77,000! The Sunday Gleaner exposé about Minister Ed Bartlett's chair and his refurbished suite jolted me out of my reverie for I couldn't let this moment pass without comment.

Jamaican politicians are used to being pampered. From their suited bodyguards to their lavish travel routines, a grateful electorate has been content to let them have the perks and privileges befitting their status of political elite. Many have used the spoon in their hands to serve themselves hefty portions of gravy.

During the 1990s this newspaper exposed the lavish furnishings selected for some newly installed government ministers and what was dubbed the 'furniture scandal' severely embarrassed the PNP government. Despite the establishment of the Orane committee to examine wastage in government, it seems no rules were ever established to curb excesses and guide works such as refurbishment. So here we are again talking about excesses in refurbishing a minister's office.

Spotlight on parliaments

In the wake of the expense scandal in the United Kingdom, where MPs were found making claims for items they ought to pay for from their salaries, the spotlight has been turned on parliaments around the world. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been ordered to repay some £14,000 deemed excessive claims for cleaning and gardening in the simmering row over expenses. Brown has said paying back is an important process of restoring public confidence in the allowance system.

Obviously, Jamaican politicians have learnt nothing from the '90s. Today's politicians are heirs to a long tradition where they mouth pro-poor slogans in public but their lifestyles are antithesis of what they preach. Many have not yet learnt that the overtaxed and overburdened public is looking for a show of solidarity from their elected representatives as they struggle to pay their rent, meet hikes in utilities, bloating grocery bills and fuel costs. Workers who are being asked to quash higher wage expectations cannot be happy at having to cough up $77,000 for the minister's chair, or to spend thousands of dollars to ensure that his office has air conditioning 24/7. All told, $8 million was spent on refurbishing rented premises.

The news could hardly come at a worse time. The economy is in a deep recession, the Government is broke, unemployment is soaring and the public service is about to be trimmed. At times like these, $8 million assumes even greater significance.

Public angst

Politicians have no concept of the extent of public angst towards them, especially when the people perceive that they have neither the ability nor the willingness to manage the affairs of the country and bring them prosperity. Successive governments have not been able to keep the population safe, and they have not been able to make life easier for people to improve their standard of living. The majority of people who have succeeded in this country have done so despite government.

The need of the hour is for decisive action by the prime minister. Mr Golding, by opting to keep his old car and cutting salaries is attempting to lead by example. He has earned a ballooning budget deficit and he needs savings of all kinds. But he needs to look over his shoulder and see what his ministers are up to.

This Government was elected on a platform of fiscal responsibility, greater transparency and accounta-bility. It is time for Mr Golding to apply the fiscal scissors. There should be a value-for-money assessment of all works undertaken by ministries. Parliamentarians should also be made to declare complimentary privileges that are accorded. It's time to clean up their act.

Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist. Send your feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.