MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Politicians and their supporters in this south-central parish got a tongue-lashing on Monday from the chief magistrate for “politicising” last Friday’s handing over ceremony of a house under Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness’s New Social Housing Programme in Green Mount, near Mile Gully.

“I saw it, and it was an unfortunate incident. We can’t do things where we appear to be politicising everything. The prime minister has an excellent programme where he provides housing for indigent people who are really in need. [Those] who are present at the ribbon cutting should really exercise caution and self-control and respect the occasion; respect the people who are the recipients of the houses instead of allowing it to go off into some amount of discord and disunity and arguments,” Custos of Manchester Garfield Green told the Jamaica Observer.

Green, in responding to questions posed by the Observer regarding the current election year, said while politics has evolved for the better over the years, he believes politicians should be mindful of their utterances and behaviour.

There were tense moments during the handing over of the two-bedroom house following a disagreement between Manchester North Western Member of Parliament Mikael Phillips and his opponent Damion Young over who should be present at the function.

The disagreement unfolded in front of Prime Minister Holness.

Phillips, a member of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), was annoyed at the presence of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters, clad in green, the JLP’s colour, led by Young, at the handing over ceremony.

Phillips told the audience that he took issue with the move by Young to have JLP supporters crowding the event.

During the ribbon cutting part of the ceremony Young attempted to place himself in the photo. However, Phillips took issue with that and was joined by Mile Gully Councillor Rohan Kennedy in walking away from behind the ribbon. Young then left the photo opportunity.

Young, in response, accused Phillips of being trivial.

“From my interpretation the Member of Parliament seems intimidated, seems petty, as if he cannot stand my presence at a mere ribbon cutting that the JLP Government has really been working so hard… we find it curious that he is intimidated by me and my supporters. We are only here wishing well for the recipient of the wonderful donation from the people of Jamaica,” he said.

However, Phillips said Young is not an elected official and shouldn’t have been at the ceremony.

“He has no constitutional right to be a part of what we are doing here. He has brought politics to the handing over of a house to a beneficiary who is in need. He cannot be a part of this process. He is not a political representative and he should know, [there’s] time and place for everything,” Phillips said.

The tension then continued at 14 Street in Greenvale where another housing unit was handed over.

At that point, Young stood to the side of the photo opportunity.

The political tension was also evident as Holness extended his hand in greeting orange-clad PNP supporters in Greenvale but was ignored by the group as he left the community following the handing over ceremony there.

On Monday, Custos Green urged politicians and their supporters to not return to inciting political violence.

“I would like to compare what politics is now to many years ago. I can remember many years ago where people were afraid to drive a green car or a red car, because of the violence. We have become more mature as a people, as a nation we are doing much better,” he said.

“I do hear some rhetoric on the platform because people, when they are energised and they want to .. get more support from their followers, they say things which aren’t necessary. So, I want to encourage those who are currently in office and those who are aspiring to be in office to be peaceful in your campaign,” he added.

“Respect your people, respect yourselves, respect your nation. We are a people of unity, we are a people of love, and we must show that in everything we do. And as political leaders you are considered significant leaders within the country and we would expect you to lead by example with your utterances and behaviour,” the custos said.