AN impassioned plea for support in overcoming the social problems plaguing Central St Catherine won Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) MP Olivia “Babsy” Grange a standing ovation from fellow Opposition members and applause from some Government members as the 2004/2005 sectoral debate closed on a dramatic note Wednesday night.

The sitting was expected to create problems for the embattled MP who has been linked to the ownership of a motor car in which reputed leader of the “One Order” gang in Spanish Town, Oliver “Bubba” Smith was killed on July 12 in Kingston.

Indications at the start were that Grange would come under some fire, as People’s National Party (PNP) MP for Central St Mary Dr Morais Guy tabled a motion on behalf of 10 government backbenchers which appeared to be taking a swipe at allegations swirling around Grange’s association with the car and the pro-JLP “One Order” gang.

Prime Minister PJ Patterson sat through the entire episode, leafing through a copy of Grange’s speech as he listened.

Leader of Opposition Business in the House, Derrick Smith told the Observer that he had nothing against the tabling of the motion by the Government backbenchers and looked forward to the debate in the House, soon.

Grange herself said in her speech that she welcomed new initiatives on the role of parliamentarians. She suggested new legislation, or amendments to the code of conduct and terms of reference of parliamentarians to clearly define their roles and remove grey areas of ethics and morality.

The motion from the 10 government MPs read:

“Whereas a very high incidence of crime and violence currently exists in our country;

“And whereas recent events in some constituencies have led to public concerns being expressed which put into question the integrity of political representatives;

“And whereas there is an increasing level of threats and intimidation directed at elected representatives at both the legislative and local government levels;

“And whereas even the perception of an association between political representatives and criminals would serve to undermine the confidence and the political resolve necessary to win the fight against crime and violence;

“Be it resolved that this Honourable House calls for a special task force to be established with one representative from each side nominated by the Integrity Commission, the Corruption Prevention Commission and the Office of the Political Ombudsman in order to review alongside the relevant arms of the security forces all questionable associations with corruption and criminality;

“And be it further resolved that on receipt of this report that Parliament takes the strongest action, including censure, expulsion or impeachment. This in order to preserve the integrity of the House of Representatives and restore respect for the highest court of the land.”

Although there was no specific reference to Grange or her constituency, the fact that it was tabled during the sitting in which she was scheduled to speak and the indications that it was hastily drafted and corrected in ink suggested an intention by Government backbenchers to put Grange on the defensive during her presentation.

But, after a passionate submission on the parlous state of social and economic affairs in her constituency in which she described Spanish Town as being, “caught between its favoured past, its ignored present and the demands on its future as the cultural centre of an expanding urban sprawl”, she went on to address the issue head on.

“I want to make it clear, I do not support, endorse or encourage those who embrace crime, but I remain ready to assist all those who want to give up crime, all those who want to make it right with the law, and all those who seek rehabilitation,” she said.

“Given the moral hazard parliamentarians face in carrying out their duties, it is clear that we now need legislation or amendment to the code of conduct and terms of reference for parliamentarians, to more clearly define our roles and define the tools we need to effectively perform those roles. It would clearly state the legal bounds of our actions and remove grey areas open for criticism on grounds of ethics and morality,” she said.

“Importantly, and especially for younger parliamentarians, it would remove the considerable pressure some constituents place on their representatives for personal benefits. Mr Speaker, I would be the first to embrace such an initiative and I call upon the Government to move speedily in such direction.”