JLP rejects PNP’s ‘strong-arm’ tactics on House Speaker appointment
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has dismissed what it calls an attempt by the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) to “bully” the administration into excluding two potential candidates for consideration for the post of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In a statement late Wednesday, JLP General Secretary Dr Horace Chang said the JLP “will not take directives from the PNP or any group” regarding the leadership of the new Parliament, which begins its term on Thursday. He described the Opposition’s position as “baseless and spurious” and accused it of trying to exclude “two eminently qualified women” from consideration.
Dr Chang’s comments came in response to concerns raised by PNP Chairman Dr Angela Brown Burke, who objected to the possible reappointment of either Juliet Holness or Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, arguing that the PNP has no confidence in their ability to serve as “impartial umpire of parliamentary proceedings”.
READ: PNP says it will not support reappointment of Juliet Holness or Dalrymple-Philibert as House Speaker
But responding to the PNP’s concerns, Dr Chang said, “While it would be irregular for the appointment of the speaker to not be supported by the Opposition party, let me serve clear notice that the Jamaica Labour Party will not take directives from the PNP or any group as we execute our new mandate to govern Jamaica with confidence, purpose and humility. We will not be dictated to by the Opposition party concerning the positioning of two very capable women who were recently re-elected by the people with large majorities in their respective constituencies.”
He added that the PNP’s stance “smacks of misogyny and arrogance” at a time when the country should be supporting capable women in leadership roles.
Both Holness and Dalrymple-Philibert have previously served as Speaker of the House. Dalrymple-Philibert served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from September 15, 2020 to September 21, 2023. Holness served as Speaker in September 2023 and had served as Deputy Speaker of the House between 2020 and 2023.
READ: Juliet Holness confirmed as Speaker of the House; Heroy Clarke is her deputy
