Kingston, Jamaica. March 20, 2024: The hard-won gains made by women, women’s organizations and advocates for the rights of women should not be used for expediency (political or otherwise) neither is it a ‘get out of jail’ card akin to the game of monopoly. The imagery of this violation being waved like a flag by the Gender Minister, Honourable Olivia Grange, when it is convenient to do so, is worrisome and borders on being disingenuous, says co-chair of the PNP Gender Commission, Ethnie Miller Simpson.   

Supporters of gender parity and advocates for women’s economic empowerment assert that women should be seen and compensated as equals. When the argument of ‘competence vs. gender’ arises, the emphasis is on competence. In other words, a woman should not be rewarded simply because of her gender but based on her performance and competence in getting the job done. Similarly, women’s achievements should not be viewed as a penalty against them but as part of the journey towards parity.

Good governance is about measuring how public institutions conduct public affairs, manage resources, and uphold human rights, free from abuse and corruption and with due regard for the rule of law. A compromised institutional process where the Speaker does not act independently of the head of government is not conducive to forward-looking development in Jamaica’s political governance, asserts Miller Simpson.

The concern lies not with the gender of the Speaker but with her performance. The Speaker’s actions, such as the non-tabling of Attorney General reports, preventing timely reviews, and not sharing opinions with other Parliamentarians, raise significant governance issues.

Increasing unease among Jamaicans with this striking conflict of practice, protocol, and clear error in good governance is evident. The best practice of ensuring that spouses or partners are not employed in the same financial entity or corporate office is well-established. If this is enforced good governance in companies, why not the same in politics? From all accounts, this is not a gender violation but a governance point of order.

Kingston, Jamaica – March 20, 2024 – The People’s National Party’s Women’s Movement issues this press release to address the ongoing discourse surrounding the position of Speaker of the House in Jamaica.

It is evident that the conflict of interest arising from the spousal relationship between the Speaker of the House and the Prime Minister is a matter of concern that cannot be overlooked. This conflict would persist regardless of the genders involved, as the issue lies in the inherent conflict between the roles of Speaker and Prime Minister.

We emphasize that identifying this conflict is not an attack on an individual’s abilities or character. Instead, it is a necessary step in establishing a framework for appointment that upholds the integrity of the office and ensures it can effectively serve the Jamaican people.

Furthermore, we must not conflate legitimate discourse on matters concerning our nation with accusations of misogyny. Any attempt to do so would only hinder efforts toward achieving genuine gender parity and equality. Our goal is to ensure equal opportunities and equal accountability for all representatives, regardless of gender.

The PNPWM remains committed to upholding the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability in our parliamentary proceedings. We call on the government to address the legitimate concerns raised about the impartiality of the Speaker of the House and to prioritize the integrity of our democratic institutions.

Kingston, Jamaica. March 10, 2024: The Opposition People’s National Party is calling on the Minister of Justice, the Honourable Delroy Chuck to increase the monetary limit in the Parish Court from $1 million to $5 million so that more cases can be heard in a timely manner. 

The Opposition Spokesperson on Justice Senator Donna Scott-Mottley highlighted that the last increase in the monetary limit within the jurisdiction of the Parish Court from $250,000 to $1 million, occurred 10 years ago in 2013, when Mark Golding was Minister of Justice. Given that there is an urgent need for greater access to justice compounded by the impact of inflation and the high cost of litigation, the Opposition is of the view that the monetary limit in the Parish Court should be increased. 

The Opposition Spokesperson expressed that the current backlog of cases in the courts is a severe hindrance and deterrent to justice, for those who utilise the court system. “There are instances where parties have to wait several years before appearing before the courts. Currently, the Supreme Court is issuing 2028 trial dates for civil matters which means that some cases filed in 2024 will not be heard for another 4 years”, said Senator Scott-Mottley. 

In a statement in January, Chief Justice, the Honourable Bryan Sykes said that there were no backlogs in the Parish Court. However, there is still a backlog in the Supreme Court with an average intake of 13,420 while only disposing of 8,765 cases each year. “This suggests that the Parish Courts are operating at a more efficient rate than the higher courts, and would be able to handle a greater caseload” noted Senator Scott-Mottley.

The Opposition is also calling for a periodic review of the Judicature (Parish Court) Act (Increase in Jurisdiction) Orders to ensure that the limits established reflect the economic climate of the nation. Such a measure would reduce the financial burden on the litigant of having matters heard in the Supreme Court for what is now a relatively minor matter, thereby fostering greater access to justice for all.

Kingston, Jamaica. March 8, 2024: The People’s National Party is saddened by the news of the untimely passing of media and communications expert Marcia Erskine. We extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends and loved ones.

The news of Marcia’s passing has sent shockwaves throughout the nation and the region. Marcia Erskine was a woman of extraordinary character, whose professionalism and generosity knew no bounds. Marcia was not just a public relations expert and tourism stalwart; she was a guiding light, serving with unparalleled distinction in every endeavor. 

Marcia Erskine was the former chairman of the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI). She dedicated her life to advocating for women’s rights and through the WLI, training and developing women leaders. Prior to her passing, she was occupied with planning an event to honour female journalists in Kingston for International Women’s Month. 

Shadow Minister on Tourism and Linkages Senator Janice Allen recalled, “I met Marcia in the mid 1990s when I first began in the industry and with each encounter I learnt something from her. Whether it was her calm demeanour or her sage words of advice, I always left her company fulfilled and encouraged. Marcia set a standard of excellence that was second to none, embodying the ethos of “leading by example.”

Senator Allen added that Marcia’s passion for tourism was palpable, matched only by her dedication to her craft of PR. She was a paragon of reliability, a consummate professional who left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working alongside her.

To her grieving family, friends, and colleagues, both near and far, we extend our heartfelt condolences. May you find solace in the cherished memories of a life lived with purpose and passion. Marcia, your light will continue to shine brightly in our hearts.