Kingston, Jamaica – The People’s National Party’s Women’s Movement (PNPWM) says it is evident that the conflict of interest arising from the spousal relationship between the Speaker of the House and the prime minister is a matter of concern that cannot be overlooked.

The group was responding to Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s suggesting during his contribution to the Budget Debate on Tuesday in the House of Representatives, that the appointment of the prime minister’s wife, Juliet Holness, as Speaker, was bad practice as it lacked independence.

READ: Gov’t MPs walk out on Golding after criticism of Juliet Holness’ Speaker appointment

“This conflict would persist regardless of the genders involved, as the issue lies in the inherent conflict between the roles of Speaker and Prime Minister. We emphasise that identifying this conflict is not an attack on an individual’s abilities or character. Instead, it is a necessary step in establishing a framework for appointment that upholds the integrity of the office and ensures it can effectively serve the Jamaican people,” the PNPWM said in a statement on Wednesday.

It added that the public must not conflate legitimate discourse on matters concerning our nation with accusations of misogyny, referencing Gender Minister Olivia Grange’s comments, which stated that Golding’s comments pointed to “gender discrimination in politics.”

READ: Gender Minister condemns Golding’s remarks on Juliet Holness’ Speaker appointment

“Any attempt to do so would only hinder efforts toward achieving genuine gender parity and equality. Our goal is to ensure equal opportunities and equal accountability for all representatives, regardless of gender,” the PNPWM said.

“The PNPWM remains committed to upholding the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability in our parliamentary proceedings. We call on the government to address the legitimate concerns raised about the impartiality of the Speaker of the House and to prioritise the integrity of our democratic institutions,” it added.