Steady hand deputises for GG, takes lead role in Parliament opening today
Published:Monday | February 17, 2025 | 10:03 AM
For the second time in nearly 40 years, the Throne Speech, a key feature of the ceremonial opening of Parliament, will be delivered by an individual other than the governor general.
Steadman Fuller, the custos of Kingston, who is is deputising for Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, will, today, carry out all the ceremonial duties as head of state at Gordon House on Duke Street in Kingston amid the usual pomp and pageantry that accompanies the annual event.
Sir Patrick, who underwent spinal surgery in December, is reportedly continuing his recovery after the procedure.
The last time an individual deputising for the governor general was given the task of presenting the Throne Speech was in 1988. The man who delivered the speech, which detailed the Government’s legislative programme at that time, was Senior Custos Val Parnell.
Notwithstanding the events paving the way for the start of a new parliamentary year, the life of this current Parliament is expected to come to an end by the latest September, when general elections are constitutionally due.
Sometime within the next seven months, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness is expected to dissolve Parliament, bringing an end to the parliamentary term.
With general elections on the horizon, this year’s Throne Speech is expected to outline the Government’s achievements over the medium term and provide signals to Jamaicans about the administration’s plans in the short term.
And,Finance and the Public Service Minister Fayval Williams will, in the afternoon, table her first estimates of expenditure and other relevant documents setting out Government spending for the fiscal year.