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The  NaRRA bill debate was a long session spanning almost nine hours.

There were good arguments made on both sides, and the Speaker was composed, charming, remaining firm but fair. He new new hairstyle looked rather fetching.

Things were moving along nicely, and Juliet Holness saw to it that all rules and procedures were abided by.

 The National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill aims to centralise authority to oversee hurricane and national disaster recovery post Melissa by fast-tracking spending on rehabilitation and infrastructure development. The NaRRA Bill offered a conundrum. There is likely to be more climatic episodes following Hurricane Melissa, and they may be equally intense and destructive to the country. Therefore, the need to act expeditiously and not be hindered by bureaucracy and stultifying impediments in order to come to the aid of Jamaica’s people is vital. While at the same time, unfettered power and a lack of transparency with friends using a big spoon to enrich themselves must be guarded against.

The Minister of Health Dr. Tufton, said so himself, there is a lack of trust in Jamaica, and that is particularly aimed at politicians. There have been too many cases of Jamaican politicians engaging in unethical practices and gaming the system.

The Opposition has said that too much power resides in the hands of the Prime Minister, and the bill will allow him to act unilaterally. The Prime Minister did make the point that it was mooted whether NaRRA could become a government agency. During his presentation on the bill, he made it clear that he could appreciate the need for the debate and welcomed recommendations. He did not favour a situation where he would declare absolute, unquestioned authority onto himself. Democracy had to be at work here, and contributions from both sides of the aisle would be made.

The debate, though heated at times, was generally going well, until just after 10.30 pm when the member for St Andrew South Western and former Mayor of Kingston, Angela Brown-Burke, playfully lifted the mace from its holdings and engaged in haughty laughter with her comrades on the Opposition bench. 

This irked the Speaker, which turned into raging consternation. Speaker Juliet Holness did not see the humour here but rather the violation of parliamentary practice and etiquette.

To be frank, she was pissed. She has been agitated before, but never like this.

Speaker Juliet Holness rebuked Brown-Burke, who initially remained non-pulsed, even flippant.

 The Speaker of the Lower House bellowed: “ Angela Brown Burke, the member for St Andrew, South Western, I am asking that you appreciate that you have been named by the Chair of the Committee and you are named by the Speaker of the House for disorderly conduct. Marshall, go for her!”

It got tense quickly, and Juliet Holness’ fury was evident. She wanted Angela Brown Burke out.

Angela Brown Burke is a seasoned politician, a top-tier PNP operative and one of the brightest members of the House. She picked up the Mace in jest, for a laugh, and that was unbecoming behaviour It got her a laugh, but it also got her in trouble.

Speaker Juliet Holness was determined and was not backing off. With clenched jaws, you knew she was going to have this day come what may. She was going to wield her authority and sanction the M.P. for St. Andrew, South Western.

The Opposition was singing” When The Saints Go Marching In,”  and they rallied around their comrade. Angela Brown Burke revelled in the support, and all those on her side of the aisle got on their feet.

In this drama, not enough credit has been given to the Marshall. He was repeatedly told to go for Andrea Brown Burke by an indignant Speaker.

At first, he was reticent; his hesitance was not because he refused to comply and thought that the Speaker assessed the situation wrongly, but rather he was acutely aware of the optics.

A younger, less discerning man may have rushed in, manhandled Angela Brown Burke and an ugly melee would have broken out with the  Marshall remonstrating, “ I was doing as instructed by the Speaker!” 

The Marshall strode up to Angela Brown Burke with a friendly demeanour, totally non-confrontational. Dr Dayton Campbell explained to him his side of what had occurred. All the while, Angela Brown Burke was defiant; she was not budging. She drank water from a bottle, refusing to exit the House.

This only served to infuriate the Speaker, whose voice was now raised.

The Prime Minister remained calm throughout it all, but then got up and, in statesman-like fashion, declared: “Madam Speaker, we were proceeding quite effectively in going through the clauses of the bill. I think what we are witnessing now is a display that, when we reflect on the years to come, will not be among our best. I think the order of the House, the Dignity of the House, must be preserved. I would invite all members to join in preserving that dignity of the House.”

He was right and that is the fundamental issue here. The dignity of the House must stand, and its members must adhere to decorum. In a country characterised by indiscipline and anti-social behaviour, the Parliament must be a bastion of dignity, respect, and compliance with the rules.

The Mace represents the highest authority in the land, the Sovereign. It symbolises its presence during legislative proceedings. To take it for a joke defiles it. That’s the point that Speaker Juliet Holness was making. 

There are those who say rather than throw Angela Brown Burke out of the House, the Speaker should have severely reprimanded her and made it be known that she would suffer consequences if she should repeat her folly.

 Speaker Juliet Holness’ action here should serve as a deterrent to others who have the notion to play with the Mace during a Parliamentary sitting. Angela Brown Burke should by now have made a fulsome apology, admitted she was wrong and warned against others taking her course.

Though the Opposition stood in solidarity with Angela Brown-Burke, they knew her decision to pick up the Mace in that fashion was wrong and unbecoming of a senior member of their party. If it were a member of the other party who had done the same thing, we would have heard the howls of condemnation from them. 

“That’s not a joke, you don’t ever do that. Angela Brown Burke, I name you. Outside! Angela Brown Burke, the member from St. Andrew, South Western, I am asking that you appreciate that you have been named by the Chair of the Committee and you are named by the Speaker of the House for disorderly conduct.”

The Speaker banged her gavel with intent, letting her feelings on the matter be known to all while her hair remained immaculate.

Angela Brown Burke could have de-escalated, acted contritely, got up and apologised to the Speaker and House. She might have been shown mercy. It was her obstinacy that undid her. It was the red rag to Juliet Holness’ bull. 

“Members, I  name Angela Brown Burke and ask she be removed from the Chamber. Those in favour? The Ayes have it. Member, outside!”