Opposition Leader and People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding has told Comrades that “the next PNP government” will prioritise principle and integrity in administering state affairs.
“We cyaa mix up in any bangarang …,” he said at a party meeting in St Andrew West Rural. ” We have to ensure that Parliament doesn’t have people in it who mix up in things unworthy of the office of representing the people.”
Golding also said he is still waiting on Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness to disclose a position on the status of the UK-based Privy Council being Jamaica’s final court.
He signalled that the Opposition will continue to stay away from a parliamentary committee examining a proposed law to remove the British monarchy, among other things, until Holness addresses that issue.
Golding also said he has problems about how a president would be selected, arguing that if the leaders fail to agree on a president, the prime minister can install someone who would then be able to make major public appoints to bodies such as the Integrity Commission.
“All now Andrew Holness don’t seh a word about it. We don’t know what him a deal wid or weh him fah when it comes to this issue,” he said, noting that a statement in the recent Throne Speech that the issue will be put to Jamaicans in a referendum is not satisfactory.
Meanwhile, PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell continues to insist that the Andrew Holness administration is using the Portmore parish push to remove two duly elected mayors from his party.
“With one little vote inna Parliament dem waah take way two mayors from the People’s National Party and from the people of Jamaica,” he said at at the meeting where the party is officially presenting Joan Gordon-Webley as its representative for St Andrew West Rural.
She will go up against the JLP’s incumbent Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn.
And head of the PNP’s Women’s Movement Patricia Duncan Sutherland said the JLP still has time to replace Westmoreland Central Member of Parliament George Wright as its representative for the upcoming polls.
“It is not too late to stand up and choose principle over expediency. You can find another candidate.” she said Sunday, arguing that the allegation of domestic abuse that faced Wright in 2021 is “unresolved.”
The party reinstated Wright’s membership last week.
She credited PNP President Mark Golding for proposing an impeachment regime that she said would allow for action to be taken against persons similarly accused.
“You cannot serve unless there is real restitution and real redemption and real atonement,” she said.
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