PNP Will Attend PM’s Budget Presentation in Wake of Walk-out Row

The Opposition People’s National Party says its members of parliament will attend Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives where Prime Minister Andrew Holness is set to make his contribution to the budget debate.

There has been much speculation about whether the PNP MPs would boycott today’s sitting in retaliation for the walkout by their government counterparts during Tuesday’s presentation by Opposition Leader, Mark Golding.

We have more in this report from Daina Davy.

Government members walked out of the House on Tuesday in protest at comments made by Mark Golding about the spousal relationship between Prime Minister Andrew Holness and House Speaker, Juliet Holness.

He suggested that the relationship compromised Mrs. Holness’ ability to act fairly and impartially.

Andrew Holness’ exit, swiftly followed by all government MPs, left the House short of the quorum needed to continue.

Only 14 members were left in the chamber, on the Opposition benches.

According to the Standing Orders, 17 MPs must be in the chamber to form a quorum.

Otherwise, the Speaker is duty-bound to adjourn the proceedings.

The Opposition Leader completed his budget speech on Duke Street in the vicinity of Gordon House, to a small but raucous crowd of PNP supporters.

A meeting was set to be held by members of the PNP’s parliamentary caucus on Thursday morning to decide what course of action to take ahead of the Prime Minister’s presentation later today.

But it’s understood the meeting was cancelled.

Writing on X this morning, PNP president Mark Golding posted, “See you in parliament” with the hashtag ‘democracy, not autocracy’.

There is no word on whether Mr. Golding will be allowed to complete his budget presentation in parliament during today’s sitting of the House.