Holness to make tough Senate decisions

OPPOSITION LEADER Andrew Holness will today announce the names of the eight persons who will represent the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) as senators.

Holness last Friday made it clear that he did not subscribe to the view that rejected politicians should not be imposed on the people by way of the Senate.

The Gleaner understands that Holness plans to announce the appointment of Deputy Leader Dr Christopher Tufton, Deputy Chairman Robert Montague, Marlene Malahoo Forte, Danville Walker, Dr Saphire Longmore and Paula Kerr-Jarrett as senators.

All six were rejected by the voters on December 29.

Kamina Johnson Smith, who joined the Senate midway through the last term, is said to be favoured for reappointment.

If Holness goes the route of appointing the six persons who lost elections as well as Johnson Smith, it could mean trouble for party functionaries such as Aundré Franklin, Ian Murray and Warren Newby.

Franklin is the general secretary of the JLP and Newby is a deputy general secretary of the party, likewise Murray who was in the last Senate.

Watchdog of democracy

"We want to have a strong Senate, first and foremost. Now that the Government has a two-thirds majority in Parliament, you would have heard me say the Opposition must be the watchdog of our democracy," Holness said.

He added: "The Senate that will emerge on Monday, when we announce the opposition senators, will be one that is strong, one that is faithful to the principles of our democracy, and one that represents the future of the Jamaica Labour Party."

Holness has the task of determining whether to reappoint Dorothy Lightbourne, Tom Tavares-Finson, Hyacinth Bennett and Dennis Meadows. He will have to consider whether to promote Marlon Morgan, Robert Miller or Delano Seiveright.