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JAM | Feb 10, 2024

Ceremonial Opening of Parliament set for February 15

/ Our Today

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A Guard of Honour is mounted by members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) at the 2023/24 ceremonial opening of Parliament on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. (Photo: JIS/File)

The 2024-2025 parliamentary year officially commences this Thursday (February 15), 2024, with the Ceremonial Opening of Parliament at Gordon House.

The time-honoured ceremony on Duke Street, in the heart of downtown Kingston, sees Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen delivering the annual Throne Speech, outlining the Government’s legislative agenda for the upcoming parliamentary year.

Governor-General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen, speaking during the 2021 Throne Speech in Parliament. (Photo: JIS/FIle)

This year’s event is expected to see the full slate of invitees including parliamentarians, State officials, custodes, mayors, members of the diplomatic corps and other guests.

The ceremony will also see the traditional ‘March to Gordon House’ by the sitting Government, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and the Parliamentary Opposition, headed by leader Mark Golding.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (right) holds the hand of his wife and MP, Juliet Holness, while on their way to Gordon House for the Ceremonial Opening of Parliament on February 18, 2021. (Photo: JIS/File)
Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding (third left) and members of the Opposition march along Duke Street and into Gordon House in downtown Kingston during the ceremonial opening of parliament on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. (Photo: JIS/File)

Citizens can view the opening live via the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ), Jamaica Information Service (JIS), and other platforms.

Following the Ceremony, the House of Representatives will reconvene at 2:00 pm for the tabling of the 2024/2025 Estimates of Expenditure.

Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen (right), delivers the 2019/20 Throne Speech under the theme ‘In Partnership towards the New Prosperous Jamaica’, at the Ceremonial Opening of Parliament on February 14, 2019. (Photo: JIS/File)

Parliament will close the 2023/2024 parliamentary year two days prior, on February 13.

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2023-2024 Parliamentary Year 2024-2025 Parliamentary Year Ceremonial opening of Parliament downtown Kingston Duke Street Gordon House Government of Jamaica Governor General Sir Patrick Allen House of Representatives Jamaica Opposition Leader Mark Golding Prime Minister Andrew Holness

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