With some 18 months to go before general elections in the United Kingdom, the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) will, provide members of the Caribbean Diaspora in the UK with an opportunity to voice their concerns, through the third hosting of Caribbean Question Time 2013, on December 3.
Dr. Floyd D. Millen
The forum, based on previous sessions held in 2010 and 2011, will provide members of the Caribbean Community with the context in which the can discuss and interact with UK political representatives about crucial issues that are affecting them, ahead of the pending national elections in 2015.
Citing the upcoming staging of CQT 2013 as being held at an opportune time, Paulette Simpson, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs and Public Policy, JN Representative Office, noted that the forum gives Caribbean nationals a direct channel to raise matters of high importance to candidates seeking election to represent their communities as government officials.
“It is for the Caribbean community to have dialogue with its political representatives and to ensure that matters affecting members are placed on the political agenda. According to research, the ethnic minority vote in Britain may determine the outcome of the Election,” Miss Simpson stated.
Among the topics to be discussed at Caribbean Question Time 2013 is the burning issue of the current immigration policies and its impact on people in the Caribbean Diaspora, as well as:
- What is the impact of the Air Passenger Duty on the Caribbean Diaspora and is this tax equitable?
- Is there a special relationship between the UK and the Caribbean and how is this manifested?
- How can the Caribbean Diaspora become more actively engaged in UK politics?
- What does the 2011 census tell us about the Caribbean Diaspora in the UK?
With a consistent increase in registration leading up to the event, this initiative is in keeping with the Jamaican National’s overall commitment to corporate social responsibility by engaging members of the UK Caribbean, and more specifically the Jamaican Diaspora; and, keeping them informed about issues that are of importance to them in Jamaica, as well as in the UK.
Dr. Floyd D. Millen who will be a member of the panel stated that “The Caribbean community has made an invaluable and largely incalculable contribution to the prosperity and well being of the United Kingdom. It’s contribution at times goes unnoticed but this event provides a seminal opportunity for those touched by and impacted by the Caribbean diaspora to debate and dialogue about the Caribbean’s continued importance and relevant”.
Caribbean Question Time 2013 will be held at 1 Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA (near the Houses of Parliament) from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
