Parliament of Jamaica: Difference between revisions

Parliament of Jamaica

*Paaliment*
Parliament of Jamaica ; Paaliment
14th Parliament of Jamaica
Type
Type	Bicameral
Houses	Senate; House of Representatives
Leadership
Monarch	Charles III ; since 8 September 2022
Governor-General	Patrick L. Allen ; since 26 February 2009
Speaker of the House of Representatives	Juliet Holness, JLP ; since 26 September 2023
President of the Senate	Thomas Tavares-Finson, JLP ; since 10 March 2016
Structure
Seats	84; 21 Senators; 63 Members of Parliament
Senate political groups	HM Government Jamaica Labour Party (13) Official Opposition People's National Party (8)
House of Representatives political groups	HM Government Jamaica Labour Party (49) Official Opposition People's National Party (14)
Elections
Senate voting system	Appointed by the Governor-General of Jamaica on advice of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition
House of Representatives voting system	First-past-the-post
Last House of Representatives election	3 September 2020
Next House of Representatives election	2025
Meeting place
	George William Gordon House, Kingston, Jamaica
Website
	japarliament.gov.jm

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17°58′26″N 76°47′26″W / 17.9740°N 76.7906°W / 17.9740; -76.7906

The Parliament of Jamaica (Jamaican Patois: Paaliment a Jumieka) is the legislative branch of the government of Jamaica. It consists of three elements: The Crown (represented by the Governor-General), the appointed Senate and the directly elected House of Representatives.

The Senate, the Upper House, is the direct successor of a pre-Independence body known as the "Legislative Council" and comprises 21 senators appointed by the Governor-General: thirteen on the advice of the Prime Minister and eight on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.

The House of Representatives, the Lower House, is made up of 63 (previously 60) Members of Parliament, elected to five-year terms on a first-past-the-post basis in single-seat constituencies.

Overview

As Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy modelled after the Westminster system, most of the government's ability to make and pass laws is dependent on the Prime Minister's ability to command the confidence of the members of the House of Representatives. Though both Houses of Parliament hold political significance, the House of Representatives, of which the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition are both required to be members, holds a more powerful and prestigious role since it is the main source of legislation.

Parliament building

The Parliament meets at Gordon House at 81 Duke Street, Kingston.^[1] It was built in 1960 and named in memory of Jamaican patriot George William Gordon.^[2]

Construction on a new parliament building directly north of Gordon House was expected to start in early 2021.^[3] However, the start of construction was delayed.^[4] As of May 2024^[update], the project was still in the procurement phase.^[5]

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the Lower House. It is the group of elected members of parliament.

Members

Senate

The Senate is the Upper House. The current members are:

Jamaica Labour Party:

The Hon. Thomas George Lewis Tavares-Finson, JP, President
The Hon. Aubyn Rochester Hill
The Hon. Kamina Elizabeth Johnson Smith, Leader of Government Business
The Hon. Matthew Peter Samuda
Dr. The Hon. Dana Morris Dixon
Abka Fitz-Henley
Ransford Braham
Kavan Anthony Gayle
Dr. Sapphire Inderea Longmore
Sherene Samantha Golding Campbell
Charles Anthony Sinclair
Donald George Wehby
Delroy Hugh Williams

People's National Party:

Peter Bancroft Bunting, Leader of Opposition Business
Donna Scott Mottley
Floyd Emerson Morris
Damion O. Crawford
Gabriella Morris
Sophia Lilleth Fraser-Binns
Lambert Alexander Brown, CD
Janice Allen

In order to effect changes to the Constitution of Jamaica a two-thirds majority in both Houses is required. Therefore, changes to the Jamaican constitution will require consensus among Government and Opposition Senators.

Last election



Party		Votes	%	+/–	Seats	+/–
	Jamaica Labour Party	408,376	57.07	+6.99	49	+17
	People's National Party	305,950	42.76	–6.95	14	–17
	Independents	1,185	0.17	+0.03	0	0
Total		715,511	100.00	–	63	–

Valid votes		715,511	98.78
Invalid/blank votes		8,806	1.22
Total votes		724,317	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		1,913,410	37.85
Source: Electoral Commission of Jamaica

References

^ "Contact Us". Japarliament.gov.jm. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
^ "History". Japarliament.gov.jm. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
^ "Construction of New Parliament Building to Begin 2021". jis.gov.jm. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
^ Henry, Balford (19 March 2021). "Construction of new Parliament building set to start next year". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
^ "UDC to begin construction of new parliament building". The Star, Jamaica. 9 May 2024. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.

External links

Parliament of Jamaica

[1] "Contact Us". Japarliament.gov.jm. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2016.

[2] "History". Japarliament.gov.jm. Retrieved 3 January 2016.

[3] "Construction of New Parliament Building to Begin 2021". jis.gov.jm. Retrieved 9 March 2021.

[Henry-4] Henry, Balford (19 March 2021). "Construction of new Parliament building set to start next year". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 9 June 2021.

[5] "UDC to begin construction of new parliament building". The Star, Jamaica. 9 May 2024. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|Legislative branch of the jamaican government}}
+{{short description|Legislative branch of the Jamaican government}}
 {{EngvarB|date=April 2014}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
-{{Single source|date=January 2016}}
+{{One source|date=January 2016}}
 {{Infobox Parliament
 | name              = Parliament of Jamaica
+| native_name       = ''Paaliment''
 | coa_pic           = Coat of arms of Jamaica.svg
 | coa_res           = 160px
@@ Line 10: / Line 11: @@
 | houses            = Senate<br />House of Representatives
 | leader1_type       = [[Monarchy of Jamaica|Monarch]]
-| leader1            = [[Elizabeth II]]
+| leader1            = [[Charles III]]
 | party1 =
-| election1          = 6 August 1962
+| election1          = 8 September 2022
 | leader2_type       = [[Governor-General of Jamaica|Governor-General]]
 | leader2            = [[Patrick Allen (governor-general)|Patrick L. Allen]]
 | party2             =
 | election2          = 26 February 2009
-| leader3_type      = [[List of Speakers of the House of Representatives of Jamaica|Speaker of the House of Representatives]]
+| leader3_type      = [[List of speakers of the House of Representatives of Jamaica|Speaker of the House of Representatives]]
-| leader3           = [[Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert]]
+| leader3           = [[Juliet Holness]]
 | party3            = [[Jamaica Labour Party|JLP]]
-| election3         = 15 September 2020
+| election3         = 26 September 2023
 | leader4_type      = [[List of Presidents of the Senate of Jamaica|President of the Senate]]
 | leader4           = [[Thomas Tavares-Finson]]
@@ Line 31: / Line 32: @@
 | political_groups1 =
 ;HM Government
-{{Color box|#00A94C|border=darkgray}} [[Jamaica Labour Party]] (13)
+{{Color box|#00A94C|border=silver}} [[Jamaica Labour Party]] (13)
 ;Official Opposition
-{{Color box|#FE8100|border=darkgray}} [[People's National Party]] (8)
+{{Color box|#FE8100|border=silver}} [[People's National Party]] (8)
 | members2          = 63
 | structure2        = JamaicaHouseofRepresentatives_2016.svg
@@ Line 41: / Line 42: @@
 | political_groups2 =
 ;HM Government
-{{Color box|#00A94C|border=darkgray}} [[Jamaica Labour Party]] (49)
+{{Color box|#00A94C|border=silver}} [[Jamaica Labour Party]] (49)
 ;Official Opposition
-{{Color box|#FE8100|border=darkgray}} [[People's National Party]] (14)
+{{Color box|#FE8100|border=silver}} [[People's National Party]] (14)
-{{Color box|#90EE90|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independents]] (1)
 | last_election2 = [[2020 Jamaican general election|3 September 2020]]
-| next_election2 = [[2025]]
+| next_election2 = ''[[Next Jamaican general election|2025]]''
 | voting_system1 = Appointed by the [[Governor-General|Governor-General of Jamaica]] on advice of the [[Prime Minister of Jamaica|Prime Minister]] and the Leader of the Opposition
 | voting_system2 = [[First-past-the-post]]
 | meeting_place  = [[Gordon House (Jamaica)|George William Gordon House]], [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]], Jamaica
-| website        = japarliament.gov.jm
+| website        = {{URL|https://japarliament.gov.jm/}}
 |legislature=[[14th Parliament of Jamaica]]|session_room=Parliament.jm.jpg}}
 {{Politics of Jamaica}}
-{{Coords|17.9740|-76.7906|display=title}}
+{{Coord|17.9740|-76.7906|display=title}}
-The '''Parliament of Jamaica''' is the [[legislature|legislative branch]] of the government of [[Jamaica]]. It consists of three elements: The [[Monarchy of Jamaica|Crown]] (represented by the [[Governor-General of Jamaica|Governor-General]]), the appointed '''Senate''' and the directly elected '''House of Representatives'''.
+The '''Parliament of Jamaica''' ({{lang-jam|Paaliment a Jumieka}}) is the [[legislature|legislative branch]] of the government of [[Jamaica]]. It consists of three elements: The [[Monarchy of Jamaica|Crown]] (represented by the [[Governor-General of Jamaica|Governor-General]]), the appointed '''Senate''' and the directly elected '''House of Representatives'''.
 The Senate, the [[Upper house|Upper House]], is the direct successor of a pre-Independence body known as the "Legislative Council" and comprises 21 senators appointed by the Governor-General: thirteen on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Jamaica|Prime Minister]] and eight on the advice of the [[Opposition (parliamentary)|Leader of the Opposition]].
@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 ==Overview==
-As Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy modelled after the [[Westminster system]], most of the government's ability to make and pass laws is dependent on the Prime Minister's ability to command the confidence of the members of the House of Representatives. Though both Houses of Parliament hold political significance, the House of Representatives, of which the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition are both required to be members of, holds a more powerful and prestigious role since it is the main source of legislation.
+As Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy modelled after the [[Westminster system]], most of the government's ability to make and pass laws is dependent on the Prime Minister's ability to command the confidence of the members of the House of Representatives. Though both Houses of Parliament hold political significance, the House of Representatives, of which the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition are both required to be members, holds a more powerful and prestigious role since it is the main source of legislation.
 ==Parliament building==
-The Parliament meets at [[Gordon House (Jamaica)|Gordon House]] at 81 Duke Street, Kingston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=10 |title=Contact Us |website=Japarliament.gov.jm |access-date=2016-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207084509/http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=10 |archive-date=7 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  It was built in 1960 and named in memory of Jamaican patriot [[George William Gordon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=23 |title=History |website=Japarliament.gov.jm |access-date=2016-01-03}}</ref>
+The Parliament meets at [[Gordon House (Jamaica)|Gordon House]] at 81 Duke Street, Kingston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=10 |title=Contact Us |website=Japarliament.gov.jm |access-date=2016-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207084509/http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=10 |archive-date=7 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was built in 1960 and named in memory of Jamaican patriot [[George William Gordon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japarliament.gov.jm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=23 |title=History |website=Japarliament.gov.jm |access-date=2016-01-03}}</ref>
-Construction on a new parliament building directly north of Gordon House was expected to start in early 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Construction of New Parliament Building to Begin 2021|url=https://jis.gov.jm/construction-of-new-parliament-building-to-begin-2021/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=jis.gov.jm}}</ref> However, the start of construction has been delayed until at least 2022.<ref name="Henry">{{cite web|url=https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Construction_of_new_Parliament_building_set_to_start_next_year?profile=0|title=Construction of new Parliament building set to start next year|last=Henry|first=Balford|date=19 March 2021|work=Jamaica Observer|access-date=9 June 2021}}</ref>
+Construction on a new parliament building directly north of Gordon House was expected to start in early 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Construction of New Parliament Building to Begin 2021|url=https://jis.gov.jm/construction-of-new-parliament-building-to-begin-2021/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=jis.gov.jm}}</ref> However, the start of construction was delayed.<ref name="Henry">{{cite web | url = https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Construction_of_new_Parliament_building_set_to_start_next_year?profile=0 | title = Construction of new Parliament building set to start next year|last=Henry|first=Balford|date=19 March 2021|work=Jamaica Observer|access-date=9 June 2021}}</ref> {{Asof| May 2024}}, the project was still in the procurement phase.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20240509/udc-begin-construction-new-parliament-building | title = UDC to begin construction of new parliament building | date = 2024-05-09 | website = The Star, Jamaica | access-date = 2024-06-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240516202021/https://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20240509/udc-begin-construction-new-parliament-building | archive-date = 2024-05-16}}</ref>
 ==House of Representatives==
@@ Line 78: / Line 78: @@
 ==Senate==
-The Senate is the [[Upper House]]. This is the list of senators:
+The Senate is the [[Upper House]]. The current members are:
-Senator Hon. Thomas George Lewis Tavares-Finson, JP, President	Jamaica Labour Party
+'''Jamaica Labour Party:'''
+* The Hon. [[Tom Tavares-Finson|Thomas George Lewis Tavares-Finson]], JP, President
-Senator Aubyn Rochester Hill, Deputy President	Jamaica Labour Party
+* The Hon. [[Aubyn Hill|Aubyn Rochester Hill]]
-Senator Hon. Kamina Elizabeth Johnson Smith, Leader of Government Business	Jamaica Labour Party
+* The Hon. [[Kamina Johnson Smith|Kamina Elizabeth Johnson Smith]], Leader of Government Business
-Senator Hon. Ruel Bancroft Reid, CD, JP	Jamaica Labour Party
+* The Hon. [[Matthew Samuda|Matthew Peter Samuda]]
-Senator Hon. Pearnel Patroe Charles, Jnr	Jamaica Labour Party
+* Dr. The Hon. [[Dana Morris Dixon]]
-Senator Ransford Braham	Jamaica Labour Party
+* [[Abka Fitz-Henley]]
-Senator Kavan Anthony Gayle	Jamaica Labour Party
+* [[Ransford Braham]]
-Senator Dr. Sapphire Inderea Longmore	Jamaica Labour Party
+* [[Kavan Gayle|Kavan Anthony Gayle]]
-Senator Kerensia Alicia Morrison	Jamaica Labour Party
+* Dr. [[Saphire Longmore|Sapphire Inderea Longmore]]
-Senator Matthew Peter Samuda	Jamaica Labour Party
+* [[Sherene Golding Campbell|Sherene Samantha Golding Campbell]]
-Senator Charles Anthony Sinclair	Jamaica Labour Party
+* [[Charles Sinclair Jr.|Charles Anthony Sinclair]]
-Senator Donald George Wehby	Jamaica Labour Party
+* [[Don Wehby|Donald George Wehby]]
-Senator Delroy Hugh Williams	Jamaica Labour Party
+* [[Delroy Williams|Delroy Hugh Williams]]
-Senator Mark Jefferson Golding, Leader of Opposition Business	People's National Party
-Senator Hon.Keith Desmond St. Aubyn Knight, OJ,QC	People's National Party
-Senator Floyd Emerson Morris	People's National Party
+'''People's National Party:'''
+* [[Peter Bunting|Peter Bancroft Bunting]], Leader of Opposition Business
-Senator Dr. Angela Rosemarie Brown-Burke	People's National Party
+* [[Donna Scott-Mottley|Donna Scott Mottley]]
-Senator Wensworth Kirkpatrick Skeffery	People's National Party
+* [[Floyd Morris|Floyd Emerson Morris]]
-Senator Sophia Lilleth Fraser-Binns	People's National Party
+* [[Damion Crawford|Damion O. Crawford]]
-Senator Lambert Alexander Brown, CD	People's National Party
+* [[Gabriella Morris]]
-Senator Noel Bancroft Sloley, CD People's National Party
+* [[Sophia Fraser-Binns|Sophia Lilleth Fraser-Binns]]
+* [[Lambert Brown|Lambert Alexander Brown]], CD
+* [[Janice Allen]]
 In order to effect changes to the Constitution of Jamaica a two-thirds majority in both Houses is required. Therefore, changes to the Jamaican constitution will require consensus among Government and Opposition Senators.
@@ Line 128: / Line 131: @@
 *[[Politics of Jamaica]]
 *[[List of legislatures by country]]
+*[[Roy McGann]] – Assassinated member
 ==References==
@@ Line 139: / Line 143: @@
 {{Legislatures of the Americas}}
+[[Category:Parliament of Jamaica| ]]
 [[Category:Parliaments by country|Jamaica]]
 [[Category:Government of Jamaica]]

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