In a dramatic turn of events during the third sitting of Jamaica’s new parliamentary term, Opposition Leader Mark Golding orchestrated a walkout of Opposition members from the House of Representatives. The incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon after House Speaker Juliet Holness interrupted Golding mid-statement. Golding had risen to challenge the Speaker’s decision to restrict Opposition members from posing questions related to a statement by Environment Minister Matthew Samuda regarding an impending tropical storm expected to impact the island within 48 hours. Holness maintained that, according to Standing Orders, only the Opposition spokesperson is allotted five minutes to respond to ministerial statements, while other members must limit their inquiries to questions. The tension escalated as St Mary South Eastern MP Christopher Brown was repeatedly instructed to take his seat when attempting to raise concerns about outstanding contractor payments. Government MP Everald Warmington twice intervened on points of order, arguing that Opposition questions were irrelevant to Samuda’s statement. This was countered by St Catherine North Western MP Damion Crawford, who was also cut off by Holness. After silencing Brown and St Andrew South Eastern MP Julian Robinson, Holness asserted that the questions were unrelated to the minister’s statement. Golding expressed his frustration, stating, ‘Madam Speaker, I’m very concerned by the way the proceedings are being conducted. We’re attempting to ask questions arising from the statement. The statement was a wide-ranging statement…’ However, his microphone was abruptly cut off, prompting the walkout. The Opposition later convened a press conference at Gordon House to address the incident.
Golding leads Opposition walkout from House after speaker repeatedly shuts down questions
