MPs unusually lukewarm in Parliament
IT was an unusually subdued set of parliamentarians who yesterday carried out the nation’s business at Gordon House in Kingston in the aftermath of the much-anticipated announcement of the general election date by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on Sunday.
Still suffering from a low turnout since the beginning of the sectoral debate in May, there were 19 Government members in the chamber and five Opposition members when the House began at 2:57 pm.
The usual banter and friendly ribbing was noticeably absent until House Leader Peter Phillips, in commenting on the electoral reform bills, said “in the next Parliament (he) would again have the opportunity of bringing the bills to the House for passage”.
The jab went unchallenged by the Opposition but was subtly responded to by party general secretary Karl Samuda, who in voicing his support of the provisions, said it was more likely that the present Government would be the ones being asked to support a motion moved by the ‘new Jamaica Labour Party government’.
When Samuda’s comment “it was good the matter has ended this way” was met by “this is the comradeship in you now” from Health Minister Horace Dalley, it drew laughter from members of both sides.
Incumbent People’s National Party (PNP) MP for East-Central St Catherine K D Knight’s “you are on the right course now” drew further laughter and a muted hallelujah from the PNP’s Harry Douglas.
When the playful ribbing subsided Knight, in what he said was the “last intervention on (his) part”, made yet another farewell speech.
“I’m so happy it has ended this way,” he said with regards to the decision of the Electoral Commission to accept an amendment proposed by the Senate to the electoral reform bills, despite the fact that this was a departure from tradition.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my days in this Parliament; sitting on the front bench for years and now sitting on the backbench for months. It has been my great privilege. fare thee all well, for me it is finished,” Knight ended dramatically.
When Chuck laughingly said “this Parliament will miss you” Knight’s quick “and you too” evoked more laughter.
