| Many times we see politicians on the job and | | | | flabbergasted. Even years after winning the title |
| wonder what it is like to be there to experience | | | | Lisa Hanna is able to look refreshing, great and |
| the moments. Recently I was invited to share in | | | | constantly keeping up with fashion and style. She |
| the festivities at our parliament in Jamaica. The | | | | truly added to the excitement of the afternoon. |
| experience was spectacular. | | | | As the speech went on, more members walked |
| As I entered the doors I was greeted to security | | | | in clearly they took breaks, some even |
| systems beeping clearly signaling what kind of | | | | conducting business on the floor while the speech |
| possessions I had on me. There was security all | | | | went on. Later the leader of the Opposition Portia |
| around clearly you could tell security is a major | | | | Simpson Miller, Phillip Paulwell etc walked in to take |
| issue when so much power comes together. No | | | | their seats. What was interesting was that most |
| alarms rang; I walked up to the gallery. In the | | | | members of the governing party were present |
| gallery clearly there were sections outlined. One | | | | while most of the Opposition were evidently |
| section had high profile persons; managers, CEOS, | | | | missing in action. |
| investors all ready to hear what the minister had | | | | Joke of the day |
| to say. Dr Christopher Tufton would be presenting | | | | Roger Clarke former Minister of Agriculture when |
| on recent developments in the Ministry of | | | | his party ruled was present for the proceedings. |
| Agriculture. | | | | There has been characterization of him in the |
| All my life the proceedings, all the pictures I have | | | | media as a negative farmer who opposes |
| seen of parliament were aerial shots focusing on | | | | everything the ruling government does. Recently |
| the speakers on any particular day. Clearly sitting | | | | he was portrayed as a fat rice eating farmer |
| in the gallery I had a bird's eye view of the | | | | who eats everything on a farm. In the minister's |
| proceedings seeing all the politicians who appear to | | | | speech, he referred to the successful rice testing |
| be at the helm of the country. | | | | done by the government and brought into |
| As I sat I was in awe the entire time, couldn't | | | | parliament packaged rice products for his |
| believe I was granted this experience to see | | | | demonstration. This was seen as a positive |
| parliament in action. I looked around seeing the | | | | movement for the government because previous |
| power of the people in the gallery, the media | | | | governments have not been able to achieve this |
| section etc. The media area shocked me. There | | | | level of success where they are able to produce |
| were not a lot of media personnel covering the | | | | value added products for the international and |
| event. I found it amazing but daunting. I believe | | | | local market. |
| the more journalists covering events like these | | | | There was a huge uproar by politicians on the |
| and even working in the industry the more | | | | floor who sought to ensure that the minister |
| objectivity and coverage regular citizens will have | | | | gave Roger Clarke all the rice he brought to |
| of what is really happening at the highest level of | | | | parliament. This was a light moment but everyone |
| government. | | | | had a moment to laugh and take it all in. |
| From watching parliamentary proceedings on | | | | The speech was very long but the time was |
| television as well, one cannot ignore how noisy the | | | | allotted to Dr Christopher Tufton to complete his |
| politicians are. Most of them on television would be | | | | speech. |
| gyrating and chatting away as the speakers made | | | | After his speech ended Opposition member |
| their points. Found it embarrassing. Well, the same | | | | Bunting gave a speech on his constituency and |
| greeted me. The politicians showed no regard for | | | | even commenting on changes that should be |
| those who were speaking. Most were reading | | | | made to Jamaica Constabulary Force. What was |
| documents, shouting across the isle, signing | | | | amazing the ruling party teased him before he |
| documents, sending messages continuously, the | | | | began his speech calling him 'Facebook'. |
| constant walking in and out etc. | | | | Recently, after the Opposition lost two bi-elections |
| I was amazed but not impressed. I feel that | | | | Bunting made remarks on his Facebook page |
| when a presentation is being made your duty is | | | | about a leader not searching for consensus but a |
| to listen with the intention to make suggestions or | | | | molder of one. This was seen as controversial and |
| ask questions at the end. This was not so in | | | | was reprimanded by some for his comments. |
| parliament. However, I do not feel that persons | | | | The teasing I found very alarming because I think |
| must sit throughout presentations for over two | | | | he was ashamed in the moment. |
| hours without even commenting on an issue with | | | | This teasing was obvious right through the |
| the person near you, but the constant chatting | | | | proceedings with members from both sides |
| and disrupting behaviours must not be condoned. | | | | shouting defaming slang at each other. I found it |
| When I entered the gallery and looked down at | | | | disgusting at times but I guess people can have |
| the seats I noticed that some seats were empty | | | | fun. |
| but documents were thrown all over the area in | | | | So my day ended with me experiencing |
| front of the chair signaling that someone was | | | | parliament. Not many citizens will ever get to go |
| sitting in the seat. Later, former Miss World | | | | through the doors at our parliament but this day |
| winner now turned politician Lisa Hanna walked in | | | | will always be treasured by me. I enjoyed my |
| with another member of the Opposition. I have | | | | day, while some parts were horrible to digest I |
| not fell that feeling in a long time. Her beauty | | | | was able to take it all in and see what |
| mesmerized me, I was shocked, amazed, even | | | | parliamentary proceedings were all about. |