President of the Senate Tom Tavares-Finson has accused Opposition Leader Mark Golding of seeking to undermine the integrity of House Speaker Juliet Holness, arguing that his broadside against her is aimed at seeking to score cheap political points.
In making his contribution to the Budget Debate in Parliament yesterday, Golding raised concerns about Member of Parliament for St Andrew East Rural Juliet Holness presiding as Speaker while being the spouse of the head of Government, Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
He suggested that it was improper for the head of the parliament to be the prime minister's wife.
“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.
His comments triggered a walkout by government MPs, led by Prime Minister Holness.
In a statement, Tavares-Finson accused Golding of sinking to a new low, charging that he is willing to say or do anything to distract the public from the true issue at hand which is to articulate a clear vision supported by a definite plan for the betterment of the Jamaican people.
He noted that Mrs Holness was nominated unopposed, and supported by the Opposition in her ascension to the role of Speaker.
“Mark Golding has repeatedly demonstrated that he will say anything for political gain, he has visibly flip flopped on a number of issues when they no longer suit his political agenda and blind pursuit of power to which he feels entitled without working for it,” said Tavares-Finson.
“Mark Golding has repeatedly taken to personal attacks instead of advancing real and practical ways to move Jamaica forward,” he added.
The Senate president asserted that the Prime Minister has dedicated his life to the service of the Jamaican people and has endured countless attacks on his character to which he has never responded as he remained focused on delivering a better way of life for his country that he loves dearly.
Further, he argued that his wife joined him in politics out of a sense of duty to her country and has given her heart and soul to the people of Jamaica.
“We are disappointed that Mark Golding would use her to score cheap political points,” he said.
“Jamaica deserves an Opposition with some semblance of honour, and whose words mean something. Mark Golding has shown us today that he has neither honour nor plans for Jamaica.”
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