Michael Abrahams | Disorder in the House

On October 28, Jamaica abstained, for the first time since it was introduced in 1992, from voting on the United Nations resolution to lift the United States embargo against Cuba. The abstention disappointed many, including the Opposition, prompting Saint Andrew Western Member of Parliament (MP) Anthony Hylton to table a motion last Tuesday calling for the Government to be censured for misleading Parliament. The motion argued that junior foreign affairs minister Alando Terrelonge had failed to disclose the policy change and the Government’s decision to abstain during the previous week’s sitting.

The Opposition intended to debate the motion the following week, with Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness present. However, Leader of Government Business Floyd Green insisted that, based on the nature of the motion, it should be dealt with immediately.

Hylton opened the debate by outlining the Opposition’s objections to the Government’s handling of the policy change and its failure to disclose it, and by requesting an apology from the Government for its deception. During his response, Green dismissed the motion as “fundamentally misconceived”, flawed and absurd, arguing that, on October 27, the Government brought a motion to the House concerning the economic and humanitarian situation in Cuba, which was read, debated and passed without dissent, and denied that the Government engaged in deception. However, after only these two contributions, Green called on House Speaker Juliet Holness to end the debate, invoking Standing Order 38, which provides for its closure. The House then voted to close the matter, denying the Opposition an opportunity to debate its own motion. The closure sparked heated exchanges, culminating in a stand-up protest by the Opposition. The Speaker then adjourned the sitting.

Tempers flared, reaching a crescendo when Manchester North Western MP Mikael Phillips and Kingston Western MP Desmond McKenzie engaged in a heated exchange as Holness departed the chamber. Phillips had harshly criticised the Speaker, prompting McKenzie to urge him to be respectful. The exchange escalated as Phillips aggressively approached McKenzie and unleashed expletives, with several Government MPs intervening to restrain him and prevent the confrontation from becoming physical. Members of the Opposition, including People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding, were also present.

The scene was ugly. One parliamentarian who was present told me that he heard MPs exchange vulgar remarks including “f**k off” and “suck yuh mother”. What is interesting is the differing accounts of what transpired. For instance, Phillips apologised for his outburst and claimed that McKenzie verbally attacked him, referencing his deceased mother. McKenzie denied doing so. He said he told Phillips, “Would you like anyone to treat your mother the way you treat Mrs Holness?” and refused to apologise. Golding accused the Speaker of cutting off Opposition members’ microphones. Holness denies doing so, although the official video footage shows the sound being muted on several occasions.

denies physical contact

Deputy Leader of the House Robert Morgan claimed Phillips pushed Golding during the fracas. Both men denied any physical contact. Phillips described the allegations as false, “as the leader was not involved, he was on his way out of the House” and that “intervention came from two Government MPs, neither of whom were (sic) physically touched”. According to Golding, “I wasn’t pushed” and “There was no pushing”. However, video footage shows Phillips shoving Golding and Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr as he attempted to advance towards McKenzie.

The most serious allegation is Holness’ claim that Opposition MP Angela Brown Burke physically assaulted her. In an interview with Nationwide Radio’s Cliff Hughes, Holness said, “She shouted ‘coward’, she walked to me, she bounced me on my side with her entire body, then she used her hand and pushed my shoulder.” Brown Burke admitted calling Holness a coward but denied pushing her. Footage shared by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on its Instagram page showed Brown Burke’s right hand appearing to shove Holness’ left shoulder.

However, the official recording of that parliamentary meeting, streamed live on YouTube on November 3, 2026, by the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ), shows no contact between Brown Burke’s hand and the Speaker. https://www.youtube.com/live/nAzMO7ZX3Wg?si=rbRHbGYX3 pzF5xxR (Watch from 5:31:25 to the end.)

Unlike Holness’ claim, Brown Burke was standing, not walking towards her. Their shoulders may have made contact as Holness walked past, but she did not use her “entire body” to bounce her. Brown Burke and some other PNP MPs were standing in the parliamentary aisle as Holness departed, contrary to parliamentary protocol. Nevertheless, based on the official footage, the allegation of physical assault against Brown Burke appears unfounded.

What transpired on November 3 in Gordon House was disgraceful, and neither party is blameless. The Opposition’s frustration was understandable, particularly since only Hylton was allowed to contribute to its motion. However, the way members expressed their disapproval was unacceptable. Golding later described the confrontation as a “red herring” being used by the Government to distract from other issues. He is right that it has become a distraction, but one the Opposition helped create. The Holness administration has been facing criticism over Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery, the third-country-national (TCN) agreement with the United States, the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), and other matters. The Opposition has now gifted the Government with an opportunity to shift the narrative and focus public attention on its disorderly conduct. Also, Golding and Phillips must be called out for their disingenuousness, as evidence shows that their denials of the contact Phillips was accused of are false.

Likewise, Mrs Holness must be called out for her lack of impartiality, as she continues to be a source of discord in the House, weaponising Standing Orders and her ability to mute Opposition members’ microphones, and even ignoring them at times. As for her allegation of assault, if it is indeed false, there ought to be consequences for her, too.

Michael Abrahams is an obstetrician and gynaecologist, social commentator, and human-rights advocate. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and michabe_1999@hotmail.com, or follow him on X @mikeyabrahams.