Just one more

Opposition leader yet to appoint an eighth senator

Inside Parliament With Alicia Dunkley

Sunday, February 12, 2012

AN eighth Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) senator is yet to be named, but according to leader of opposition business in the Senate, Arthur Williams, Opposition Leader Andrew Holness will make the appointment in due course.

The governing People's National Party named its slate of 13 senators on January 16 this year. They were sworn in on the next day during the official reopening of the House of Representatives along with the seven senators appointed by the Opposition.

Holness, in announcing the appointment of the seven Opposition senators, had said one other appointment would be announced at a later date.

Yesterday, Williams said the situation was not unprecedented and offered the assurance that the missing senator would be named in time.

Asked what was the reason for the delay, Senator Williams said "that is a matter that is solely within the remit of the leader of the Opposition, and I am certain that in due course a decision will be made".

He went on to note that the situation was not a novel one.

"It most certainly is not unprecedented. There have been occasions when former Opposition Leader Edward Seaga held positions for persons he wanted to appoint who couldn't take it up there and then, so it's not unusual. You check the records, there is even one occasion where no Opposition senators were appointed at all," he argued.

Senator Williams, however, said he could not say if, in this case, the position was being held for someone who was unable to accept it at this time.

"I don't know, I don't want to encroach on his (Holness') area of responsibility. He will in due course advise and the appointment will be made in due course," he said.

The current seven Opposition Senators are Williams, Tom Tavares-Finson, Dr Christopher Tufton, Robert Montague, Marlene Malahoo Forte, Kamina Johnson Smith and Kavan Gayle.

The Opposition leader has expressed confidence that the JLP's slate of senators will "vigorously and constructively carry out its duties in the Upper House and make the Opposition effective in its role as watchdog of our democracy".