Holness lost out on a great opportunity
Dear Editor,
Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his Government lost out on a golden opportunity to prove to the Jamaican people and the doubters that his Administration is not a “bully” Government, is open to criticism, and is not about silencing opponents.
On Tuesday, March 19, 2024 the prime minister led an unprecedented walkout of Parliament during the budget presentation of the Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding.
Prime Minister Holness was clearly offended by the remarks made by Golding regarding the elevation of his wife, Juliet Holness, to the post of Speaker of the House. But he was wrong for leading the walkout, thereby preventing Golding from completing his presentation.
The prime minister, if he was so incensed by the queries of Golding, could have risen on a point of order, as stipulated by the Standing Orders of Parliament, to indicate that the member is ascribing motive or the speaker is misleading the House. However, what took place is that the prime minister allowed his ego to get the better of him. It is an ego which he constantly displays.
He seems to be easily offended when civil society criticises his Administration and the business sector criticises or offers alternative suggestions. He often claims that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is being held to a higher standard than the People’s National Party (PNP).
Fast-forward to Thursday, March 21 and Prime Minister Holness is scheduled to make his presentation to the budget debate. He and his members entered Parliament with all their pomp and pride and proceeded as if nothing had happened.
What the prime minister should have done was to say that in the interest of fairness and to prove that he is not silencing his opponent he will ask for permission from the Speaker and members of the House to allow the leader of the Opposition to complete his speech. That would have been a decent thing to do.
By allowing his ego to get the better of him, Prime Minister Holness lost out on an opportunity to be the different leader he often claims he is.
Ralston Chamberlain
ralston.chamberlain@alum.utoronto.ca
