Dalrymple Philibert and Smith sworn in as new MPs in House of Representatives
Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today
editor
(JIS screen grab).
Marisa Dalrymple Philibert and Duane Smith, members of Parliament (MPs) for Trelawny Southern and St Andrew North Western respectively, were officially sworn in today, 3 December 2024, during the sitting of the House of Representatives.
Both MPs took the oath of allegiance with House Speaker Juliet Holness and members from both sides of the Lower House offering their welcome.
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, the leader of Government business, praised Dalrymple-Philibert for her distinguished career, noting her previous tenure as House Speaker and expressing anticipation for a strong return as MP for Southern Trelawny.
Dalrymple Philibert was re-elected following a recent by-election, having resigned from her position as MP and speaker in 2023 after facing charges from the Integrity Commission for failing to disclose a vehicle in her statutory declarations.
Bartlett also welcomed Duane Smith, who claimed a decisive victory in the St Andrew North Western by-election, securing 1,863 votes against independent candidate Carl Marshall’s 111 votes. He wished Smith a successful term as MP.
Smith’s father, Derrick, represented St Andrew North Western as MP for nearly 30 years before resigning in 2018. After his departure, Dr Nigel Clarke, who ran on the JLP ticket, was elected as MP on 5 March 2018.
Clarke, who was appointed minister of finance and the public service and served in that capacity until October 27, 2024, stepped down from both posts after being appointed deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund in August.
Smith was selected to represent the JLP in the November by-election.
Comments