Gov't MPs walk out of Parliament, bringing Budget Debate to abrupt end

Today's sitting of Parliament came to an abrupt end, after government Members of Parliament, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, walked out during Opposition Leader Mark Golding's contribution to the 2024-2025 Budget Debate. 

The walk out was in protest of Golding's criticism regarding the appointment of Juliet Holness, who is the prime minister’s wife, as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“When the former speaker was forced to resign as a result of an Integrity Commission investigation, the move to replace her with the wife of the prime minister, so that the head of Parliament is now the spouse of the head of Government, does not sit well with the tradition that the speaker must act independently of the government of the day,” Golding said.

Prime Minister Holness, seemingly peeved, shook his head in disgust before mouthing off the microphone that Golding’s comment was “low and desperate”.

He then left the Lower House and was followed by all government MPs present, as opposition members egged on the walkout.

Deputy Speaker Heroy Clarke was subsequently forced to adjourn the sitting as the number of members of parliament present fell below the required 16 needed to form a quorum.

- Kimone Francis

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on Twitter @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.