Contribution to 2013 Sectoral Debate: Mikael Phillips, MP

Mr. Speaker,

I want to express my gratitude to the electors on North West Manchester for their confidence and commitment.

I want to also thank former Member of Parliament Dean Peart and all who those who have toiled hard and long in the vineyard to the service of our Jamaican people.

I would like to thank the Prime Minister for the guidance she has given to me since I have entered the field of representative politics. I also wish to express my appreciation of support of my Parliamentary colleagues.

And you, Mr. Speaker, for the guidance you have given to me as we both hail from the happiest parish in Jamaica.

I would like to acknowledge the love and support of my family.

Words cannot express the feeling one gets serving in the Parliament with one’s relative, more so, serving at the same time with one’s father, I want to thank my father for his guidance and love in making me the man I am today.

My job would be harder if I did not have an able team around me, my four counselors, Deputy Mayor Ervin Facey, Faith Sampson, McCauther Collins and Firbourne Maxwell, the Constituency Executive and my assistant Jackie.

Serving as a Member of Parliament is not a right but a privilege. We have come a far away as a people, but we have a lot further to go.

It has been a privilege to serve the constituency of Manchester North West, which spans from Troy in the North to Pepper in the South.

Farming is our main source of employment, and I would like to thank Minister Roger Clarke and the team at RADA for the guidance and technical assistance that they have given to our farmers.

My first year as Member of Parliament, I can say it has been one that has deepened my understanding more about our people in rural Jamaica.

I have found that they are no different than our neighbors uptown, or in urban areas, they have the same dedication and love for their country.

Most of all, Mr. Speaker, they are seeking the same opportunities to uplift themselves as Jamaicans.

Mr. Speaker, the more I serve, is the more I learn, which should make me a better representative of our people and country. I am happy to see that the Prime Minister will be seriously focusing in the area of rural development, as a priority at this time…READ MORE

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