WHEN Parliament opens today, there will be, for the first time since Jamaica’s independence, only a four-member difference between both sides, at least until legal disputes in two seats are resolved.

Before now, the closest a Parliament had been was after the 1962 elections, which saw the Jamaica Labour Party winning 26 of 45 seats – seven seats more than the People’s National Party.

Then, in the 2002 general elections, the governing PNP took 36 of 60 seats, resulting in a 12-seat difference. That was the closest the numbers had been in 40 years.until now.

This closeness is what some observers predict will ensure vigorous debates in the Lower House. However, Delroy Chuck – who will today be nominated as Speaker of the House – said he is prepared to exercise “fairness and firmness” in overseeing the debates.

“I certainly will rule as fairly as possible so no side can feel as if I am biased,” Chuck told the Observer.

Chuck, a trained attorney, has been a member of parliament since 1997 and shadow justice minister since. However, he said he was “shocked” to be named speaker.

Meanwhile, former member of both the Upper and Lower Houses, Colin Campbell, said the new Parliament might need to put in extra long hours.

“I expect of the new Parliament long hours. I think a little motion is going to take a long time,” Campbell said.

However, Chuck said it will be his duty to rein in long-winded or irrelevant discussions.

“The Speaker of the House can always curb members in debate,” Chuck said. “I must admit in my time in Parliament listening to a number of (members) speaking on matters that have no relevance to the subject,” Chuck said.

Campbell said in the absence of a “comfortable working majority” the government might have to “compromise and discuss some things prior to”.

And the issues will be varied, many carrying over from the last session. Social sciences lecturer at the University of the West Indies Dr Peta Ann Baker, said one piece of legislation that needs to go forward is the Charter of Rights.

“I would like them to get going on it very shortly,” Baker said. “There is still some omission, though, as regards discrimination on health status and people with disabilities, who have no real recourse in law,” she added.

Baker said that among the areas the new Parliament should focus on are the environment, youth policy and small enterprises. She said, too, that members on both sides of the House will need to work together.

“I think what we can expect is different than what we can hope for, which is a greater spirit of collaboration and collegiality and a reduced desire to score points.”

Immediate former speaker Michael Peart said he expects “everybody will be on their P’s and Q’s”.

“What I expect is that the attendance will be very good, especially (among) government members – they don’t want to be outnumbered,” Peart said.

On the matter of attendance, Chuck said he hoped he could “encourage parliamentarians to respect time and start at 2:00”.

And Peart wished him all the best, saying he would offer any advice or help he could.