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No Salute For Golding
Published: Monday | November 5, 2012 1 Comment
WHILE PARLIAMENT is acknowledging the contribution of two former heads of government to national development, Edward Seaga and P.J. Patterson, the door has been shut on Bruce Golding, the third member of the prime ministerial trio who has walked away from active politics.
Seaga was recognised in a marathon joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate last month, and Patterson is to be accorded a similar accolade on November 13.
But there will be no such ceremony to thank or honour Golding - at least not this year.
Phillip Paulwell, the leader of government business, has said Golding does not qualify for such honouring under the criteria which have been agreed.
"We have decided to do two tributes in this our 50th year. One is to the person who served the longest as member of parliament, and the other to the person who served the longest as prime minister," Paulwell told The Gleaner.
Seaga is Jamaica's longest-serving MP. He served as member of parliament for West Kingston from 1962 until his retirement in 2005.
Patterson became prime minister in 1992 and held the reins for 16 years until he retired from office in 2006. He is the longest-serving prime minister.
North East St Elizabeth Member of Parliament Raymond Pryce has said it was his recommendation at a People's National Party (PNP) meeting that led to Parliament honouring the elder statesmen.
the recommendation
"At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the PNP earlier this year, I made the recommendation that all living former prime ministers and governors general be so honoured," Pryce said in a recent Letter to The Editor after he was accused of not standing up to acknowledge Seaga in the House.
But Delroy Chuck, the leader of opposition business in the House, said the salute is not intended for past prime ministers.
"It is a 50th anniversary celebration and we decided to honour Mr Seaga for his contribution, especially because he is the last surviving member of the Constitution committee. The government side wanted to honour Mr Patterson, and we had no problem with that," Chuck told The Gleaner.
"It is not that we are honouring past prime ministers," he said.
Golding, Jamaica's eighth prime minister, walked away from the job in 2011 before completing a full term as prime minister.
Published: Monday | November 5, 2012 1 Comment
WHILE PARLIAMENT is acknowledging the contribution of two former heads of government to national development, Edward Seaga and P.J. Patterson, the door has been shut on Bruce Golding, the third member of the prime ministerial trio who has walked away from active politics.
Seaga was recognised in a marathon joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate last month, and Patterson is to be accorded a similar accolade on November 13.
But there will be no such ceremony to thank or honour Golding - at least not this year.
Phillip Paulwell, the leader of government business, has said Golding does not qualify for such honouring under the criteria which have been agreed.
"We have decided to do two tributes in this our 50th year. One is to the person who served the longest as member of parliament, and the other to the person who served the longest as prime minister," Paulwell told The Gleaner.
Seaga is Jamaica's longest-serving MP. He served as member of parliament for West Kingston from 1962 until his retirement in 2005.
Patterson became prime minister in 1992 and held the reins for 16 years until he retired from office in 2006. He is the longest-serving prime minister.
North East St Elizabeth Member of Parliament Raymond Pryce has said it was his recommendation at a People's National Party (PNP) meeting that led to Parliament honouring the elder statesmen.
the recommendation
"At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the PNP earlier this year, I made the recommendation that all living former prime ministers and governors general be so honoured," Pryce said in a recent Letter to The Editor after he was accused of not standing up to acknowledge Seaga in the House.
But Delroy Chuck, the leader of opposition business in the House, said the salute is not intended for past prime ministers.
"It is a 50th anniversary celebration and we decided to honour Mr Seaga for his contribution, especially because he is the last surviving member of the Constitution committee. The government side wanted to honour Mr Patterson, and we had no problem with that," Chuck told The Gleaner.
"It is not that we are honouring past prime ministers," he said.
Golding, Jamaica's eighth prime minister, walked away from the job in 2011 before completing a full term as prime minister.
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