Speaker of the House of Representatives Juliet Holness
Juliet Holness has been reappointed as Speaker of the House of Representatives despite concerns that had previously been raised by the opposition People's National Party (PNP).
The PNP on Wednesday said it would not support the reappointment of either Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert or Juliet Holness to the position of House Speaker of the House, citing "serious concerns" about the manner in which they had previously conducted the business of the House.
But the Jamaica Labour Party had hit back, strongly rejecting what it called an attempt by the PNP to "bully the governing administration into excluding two eminently qualified women from consideration for the post or any position of leadership".
JLP General Secretary Dr. Horace Chang described the PNP statement as out of order and inappropriate, adding that the concerns raised were baseless and spurious.
He noted that it would be irregular for the appointment of the Speaker to not be supported by the opposition party, but said the JLP would not take directive from the PNP or any group as it executes the new mandate to govern Jamaica with confidence, purpose and humility.
When the 63 newly elected members of Parliament gathered at Gordon House to be sworn-in on Thursday, government member Floyd Green nominated Mrs. Holness, the East Rural St. Andrew MP, for the position. The nomination was seconded by government member Robert Morgan.
As is customary, the newly elected Speaker feigned reluctance and was pulled to the front by former Speaker of the House Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert while members of the governing party cheered.
But opposition members sat quietly.
This was markedly different from what obtained in September 2023 when Mrs. Holness was first appointed to that post. At that time her nomination was supported by the opposition, who then months later raised conflict of interest concerns.
St. James Central MP Heroy Clarke was returned as Deputy Speaker.
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