According to an online source, the expression “Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion” means people in high-profile or authoritative roles must not only be innocent but must avoid any appearance or hint of wrongdoing, scandal, or impropriety to maintain trust and the integrity of their position. It’s about perception as much as reality, stemming from Julius Caesar divorcing his wife Pompeia after she was suspected (though not proven guilty) of an affair to show his family must be beyond reproach.

In this regard, public figures, especially those in power, such as politicians, judges, and leaders, have to constantly walk the chalk line because, even if innocent, questionable actions or associations can damage credibility. It is in such a quandary that House Speaker Juliet Ann Marie Holness now finds herself as her detractors as well as genuinely concerned citizens continue to express negative views about her holding that post, being the wife of Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, who is also leader of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party(JLP).

There are those who argue, and perhaps rightly so, that Holness is more than qualified for that position. Portions of her biography present an impressive picture of someone who is an accomplished woman, having gained two degrees in accounting, a bachelor’s and a master’s (no easy feat!) from The University of the West Indies, Mona. In addition, she has become a successful politician, having fully established herself in a formidable position in the St Andrew East Rural constituency, winning the seat in 2016, 2020, and 2025. In 2023 she was elected Speaker and was returned to that prestigious post in 2025. She is also an established real estate developer and an astute businesswoman.

Notwithstanding all these positive attributes and accomplishments, the main argument is that the nation should not be subject to a husband and wife team holding two of the most pivotal and influential roles in the island’s Parliament. And there is some merit to that position, primarily because Jamaica is not Utopia or Animal Farm, for that matter; instead, we are a much-divided society that is rabidly partisan. So although the Speaker, for all intents and purposes, should be an objective and dispassionate referee, most Labourites expect her to always rule in their favour, while Comrades do not expect her to say or do anything that will be in their favour. And that’s the God’s truth!

Indeed, this scenario is akin to the referee of a football match being the spouse of one of the coaches. Go figure!

So where do we go from here? Should common sense or good sense prevail in the cranium of the prime minister (and doting husband) and cause him to relieve her of the post through internal party machinations? Poor Holness, damn if she does and damn if she doesn’t!

Just look at the recent kerfuffle between herself and Member of Parliament (MP) Everald Warmington during a meeting of the the Standing Finance Committee for which Holness is chairman. How does the prime minister feel watching his dear wife and a rambunctious JLP MP who warned her most ominously — despite having the greatest respect for her — that he has the most number of votes (over 10,000) in the elected legislative body and thus has more than enough right to be heard by the chairman without suffering the ignominy of having his “mike cut off ”? Tut-tut. Can you imagine what would have happened if a People’s National Party (PNP) MP did that to the chairman?

Sad to say, Jamaica’s Parliament is no longer being seen as a hallowed place by most Jamaicans. The heights of disrespect shown to one another, the “cass-cass”, and “throw word” that have become commonplace among our elected representatives in that honourable House, though frequently seen in other countries’ Houses of Assembly/Parliament, have reached an intolerable level. This does not augur well for the nation, especially when viewed against the backdrop of growing disenchantment among the populace with respect to our “dirty politics” in and outside Gordon House.

Given this controversial state of affairs with respect to Holness being “Madam Speaker” as well as a warring Warmington persistently upsetting the applecart, there are those who, playing the Devil’s advocate, have come up with a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that perhaps the prime minister should nominate Warmington to be the House Speaker. Ha! Reminds me of when I was a classroom teacher and had to leave my students for a brief spell so I strategically appointed the student who was the chief troublemaker to be in charge until I returned. And it worked! I could have dropped a pin and hear it when I returned.

Would an appeased Warmington, who so far has not got the nod from his prime minister and party leader to fill any major post in government but has been subjected to being a lowly backbencher, be able to rise to the occasion? Is it possible that he could display the necessary sobriety and equanimity in the Speaker’s chair?

In the meantime, Speaker Holness has her work cut out for her, and if there is no change at the top, then hers will be a very rocky and frustrating road, whether she likes it or not. Is this fair to her as well as to the people of Jamaica? To put it bluntly, her sitting in the Speaker’s chair has become too much of an ongoing distraction and will continue to be a lightning rod, which does not augur well for the body politic. But, in the final analysis, this is a judgement call for Prime Minister Holness and his wife. To be or not to be Speaker, that is the question.

Whichever way the cookie crumbles, this is one burning issue on the national stage that will not dissipate over time but may well gather momentum, especially if the Speaker does not rise to the occasion. But, then again, she just might.

Suffice it to say, Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion.

Lloyd B Smith has been involved full-time in Jamaican media for the past 50 years. He has also served as a People’s National Party Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He hails from western Jamaica where he is popularly known as the Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lbsmith4@gmail.com.

Everald Warmington.

Dr Andrew Holness (Photo: Karl McLarty)