THE 2015/16 session of parliament opened yesterday at Gordon House on Duke Street in downtown Kingston with the usual pomp, pageantry and crowd support. Here are scenes from the event.

JLP

Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Holness (third right, front row) leading Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) parliamentarians to Gordon House, Duke Street, Kingston, from the head office of the affiliated Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) yesterday. Others in the picture in the front row are: Senator Robert Montague (second left); Senator Tom Tavares Finson (third left); and Derrick Smith, MP for North Western St. Andrew. In second row are: Desmond McKenzie (partly hidden at right); Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange (second right); Kamina Johnson Smith (partly hidden, third right). Others in front and second rows are security personnel. (PHOTO: MICHAEL GORDON)

PNP2

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (centre) waves to supporters as she leads the People’s National Party’s (PNP) parliamentarians to Gordon House from Sutton Street, yesterday.

Simpson Miller is joined by Finance and Planning Minister Dr Peter Phillips (to her immediate right). Others in front row from right are: Noel Arscott, Minister of Local Government; Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Science. Technology, Energy and Mining: Lisa Hanna, Minister of Youth and Culture; Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC); and Sharon Folkes Abraham, Minister of State in the MIIC. (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

REMEMBER ROGER

A PNP supporter displays a poster remembering Roger Clarke at the opening of the 2015/2016 session of Parliament yesterday. In conversation with other party supporters is Richard Azan, Member of Parliament for North West Clarendon. (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

HELPING HAND

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is assisted by Minister of Finance Peter Phillips up the steps into Gordon House at the official opening of Parliament yesterday. (PHOTO: MICHAEL GORDON)

CHANG/OMAR

‘Comrades’ in Arms: Robert Pickersgill (right) of the PNP, Horace Chang of the JLP and Omar Davies of the PNP, greet supporters as they enter Gordon House yesterday. (PHOTO: MICHAEL GORDON)

LISA/AG

Minister of Youth and culture Lisa Hanna (left) and Attorney General Patrick Atkinson in discussion before entering Gordon House. (PHOTO: MICHAEL GORDON)

GUARD OF HONOUR

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen inspects a Guard of Honour by the First Battalion The Jamaica Regiment. (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)

THWAITES TALK

Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites (left) pauses to speak with a little girl before the ceremonial opening of Parliament yesterday. (PHOTO: MICHAEL GORDON)