Jamaica Senator

The Parliament of Jamaica is the legislative branch of the government of Jamaica. It consists of three elements: The Crown (represented by the Governor-General), the appointed Senate and the directly elected House of Representatives.

The Senate, the Upper House, is the direct successor of a pre-Independence body known as the "Legislative Council" and comprises 21 senators appointed by the Governor-General: thirteen on the advice of the Prime Minister and eight on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.

The House of Representatives, the Lower House, is made up of 63 (previously 60) Members of Parliament, elected to five-year terms on a first-past-the-post basis in single-seat constituencies.

Overview

As Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy modelled after the Westminster system, most of the government's ability to make and pass laws is dependent on the Prime Minister's ability to command the confidence of the members of the House of Representatives. Though both Houses of Parliament hold political significance, the House of Representatives, of which the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition are both required to be members of, holds a more powerful and prestigious role since it is the main source of legislation.

Parliament building

The Parliament meets at Gordon House at 81 Duke Street, Kingston. It was built in 1960 and named in memory of Jamaican patriot George William Gordon.

Construction on a new parliament building directly north of Gordon House was expected to start in early 2021. However, the start of construction has been delayed until at least 2022.

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the Lower House. It is the group of elected members of parliament.

Members

Senate

The Senate is the Upper House. This is the list of senators:

Senator Hon. Thomas George Lewis Tavares-Finson, JP, President Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Aubyn Rochester Hill, Deputy President Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Hon. Kamina Elizabeth Johnson Smith, Leader of Government Business Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Hon. Ruel Bancroft Reid, CD, JP Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Hon. Pearnel Patroe Charles, Jnr Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Ransford Braham Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Kavan Anthony Gayle Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Dr. Sapphire Inderea Longmore Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Kerensia Alicia Morrison Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Matthew Peter Samuda Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Charles Anthony Sinclair Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Donald George Wehby Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Delroy Hugh Williams Jamaica Labour Party
Senator Mark Jefferson Golding, Leader of Opposition Business People's National Party
Senator Hon.Keith Desmond St. Aubyn Knight, OJ,QC People's National Party
Senator Floyd Emerson Morris People's National Party
Senator Dr. Angela Rosemarie Brown-Burke People's National Party
Senator Wensworth Kirkpatrick Skeffery People's National Party
Senator Sophia Lilleth Fraser-Binns People's National Party
Senator Lambert Alexander Brown, CD People's National Party
Senator Noel Bancroft Sloley, CD People's National Party

In order to effect changes to the Constitution of Jamaica a two-thirds majority in both Houses is required. Therefore, changes to the Jamaican constitution will require consensus among Government and Opposition Senators.

Last election

See also

* List of presidents of the Jamaican Council
*List of presidents of the Legislative Council of Jamaica
* List of presidents of the Senate of Jamaica
* List of speakers of the House of Representatives of Jamaica
*Women in the House of Representatives of Jamaica
* Jamaican Parliamentary by-elections
* Politics of Jamaica
* List of legislatures by country

References

External links

Parliament of Jamaica

{{Legislatures of the Americas

Jamaica
Government of Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica
Parliament of Jamaica