Press Release From The PNP - July 2, 2026
Kingston, Jamaica. July 2, 2026: The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has expressed grave concern about Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, describing it as the latest in a troubling pattern of procedural inconsistency, selective enforcement of the Standing Orders, and conduct that undermines Parliament’s constitutional role as Jamaica’s principal forum for accountability, scrutiny and debate.
Three incidents, in particular, underscore the Opposition’s concerns.
First, the Leader of Opposition Business, Phillip Paulwell, MP, sought recognition to raise a procedural matter regarding the absence of the Integrity Commission’s latest report from the Order Paper after it had been submitted to Parliament.
Before he was permitted to identify his issue, the Speaker ruled him out and directed that the matter be raised privately with the Leader of Government Business. The Opposition maintains that a Speaker cannot properly determine a procedural objection without first hearing what the Member seeks to raise. Westminster parliamentary practice requires that discretion be exercised fairly, impartially, and on an informed basis.
Second, during consideration of a motion to approve a report from the Regulations Committee, several Opposition Members immediately called for a division after the question was put. The Speaker stated that she had not heard the request and proceeded without conducting the division. The Opposition has requested a review of Hansard and the official recording, as several Members maintain that the request was made clearly and in time.
Third, rather than addressing these legitimate procedural concerns, Government Members used the subsequent debate to launch sustained personal attacks against the Member of Parliament for South St James, Nekeisha Burchell, who had been among those challenging the handling of the proceedings. Members of Parliament are elected to represent the Jamaican people and are entitled, within the Standing Orders, to challenge procedural rulings and use every lawful parliamentary mechanism to protect the rights of those they represent. Rather than restraining these personal attacks, the Speaker permitted them to dominate the debate despite having little or no relevance to the matter then before the House.
The Opposition is particularly concerned by remarks directed at MP Burchell by Desmond McKenzie, MP, who, while pointing across the Chamber, warned her that she should “not cross his path or else.” Such language can reasonably be interpreted as threatening and intimidating. It has no place in Jamaica’s Parliament and risks further lowering the standard of parliamentary discourse.
Phillip Paulwell, MP, said, “This is not about personalities. It is about protecting Parliament as an institution. Every Member, regardless of political affiliation, has the right to be heard, seek procedural clarification, and expect the Standing Orders to be applied fairly and consistently.”
Rose Shaw, MP, added, “No Member of Parliament should face intimidation or selective enforcement of the rules for carrying out their constitutional duty. Our concern is not simply for one Member, but for the integrity of Parliament and the rights of every elected representative.”
Christopher Brown, MP, stated, “This singling out of Member Burchell by the former Speaker Mrs Dalrymple Philbert, to my mind amounts to inciting and represents an unfortunate direct mobilization of possible attacks, within a society where violence is often the first choice for conflict resolution. What Mrs Marisa Dalrymple Philbert did in this personal public denunciation was wrong and in fact goes against the traditions of established proper conduct in the House.”
The Opposition will continue to resist the oppressive and undemocratic management of the affairs of the House of Representatives, and we will resolutely defend MP Burchell from the type of intimidatory conduct displayed by Government Members during the sitting.
This matter is not about one Member or one political party. It is about preserving the integrity of Jamaica’s Parliament. Parliamentary rules exist to facilitate debate, protect minority rights, and ensure accountability. When they are applied inconsistently or in ways that frustrate legitimate scrutiny, confidence in Parliament is diminished. The People's National Party will continue to defend the right of every elected representative, Government and Opposition alike to participate freely, fairly, and without intimidation.
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