Headlines:
| Much pomp and pageantry at Parliament’s re-opening |
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| Thursday, 27 September 2007 | |
 There was no military band playing the fanfare, but Thursday's
ceremonial opening of parliament was no less of a spectacle.Long before the sitting got underway at 11 o'clock, supporters of both sides gathered to await the arrival of their respective political representatives. The morning sun did nothing to drain the energies of the supporters of both political parties who were bedecked in every shade of green and orange. As has been the tradition for many years, People's National Party (PNP) supporters with sound system in tow, converged at the intersection of Beeston and Duke streets, while bell-ringing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters gathered at the intersection of Charles and Duke Streets. In the middle, the police erected barricades to ensure order was maintained. This ceremony presented another opportunity for parliamentarians, their families and members of the public alike to show off their fashion sense and they did not disappoint. Notably the Prime minister's wife Lorna Golding led the impeccably dressed Golding clan, putting her own spin on the party colour, by choosing a bronzed lime green skirt suit with lace details and bronze accessories. Newly minted senator Hyacinth Bennett was pristine in a white brocade suit accented with crystals while Information Minister Olivia Grange styled a sober black skirt suit with leopard details. Opposition leader Portia Simpson Miller chose a tasteful black and grey tweed, while Member of Parliament for South Central St. Catherine Sharon Hay-Webster was clad head to toe in cheerful orange. Mayor of Kingston and Senator Desmond McKenzie stood out from the men on his side of the house by donning a light beige morning suit off set by a baby pink shirt and pink and white striped tie. On the opposition side senator K.D. Knight was elegant in a light grey suit which was in perfect harmony with his hair which is more salt than pepper. As each minister took the oath of allegiance, they received warm hugs and kisses from opposition leader Portia Simpson Miller. There were loud cheers for J.C. Hutchinson and Tarn Peralto whose win in South East St. Mary is still before the courts. After the sitting ended exuberant JLP and PNP supporters burst through the barricades and met in the middle of Duke Street lusitly chanting the names of both leaders as the police kept watch. |