The Parliamentary Opposition has raised serious concerns about a growing pattern of conduct by the Government that undermines Jamaica’s democratic process, where individuals rejected by voters in the September 3, 2025, General Election are being facilitated to participate in activities that properly belong to elected Members of Parliament.

The latest incident occurred on January 9, 2026, when former MP Michelle Charles, now a private citizen, participated in an official tour of the Princess Margaret Hospital in St Thomas alongside State Minister Krystal Lee. The duly elected Member of Parliament for Eastern St Thomas, Rose Shaw, was neither informed of nor invited to the visit.

This action represents a clear breach of established parliamentary and administrative protocols and a disregard for the will of the people of Eastern St Thomas. Charles, having lost her seat in the last general election, holds no public office and no authority to conduct or participate in official government business. “Her inclusion in a tour of a critical public health institution, supported by state resources, falsely projects an official capacity she does not possess, the Opposition said.

This is not an isolated occurrence. Similar incidents have involved former MP Homer Davis in South St James and former MP George Wright in Central Westmoreland. In addition, on October 27, 2025, Ms Charles accompanied senior officials on a tour of the Central Food Organisation and made public statements regarding storm preparedness for Eastern St Thomas shelters ahead of Hurricane Melissa, again acting as a private citizen while projecting authority.

The Opposition said that these actions waste state resources, create confusion within constituencies, and amount to a deliberate effort to sideline duly elected representatives to whom public officials are accountable. The Government’s apparent complicity raises serious questions about its respect for democratic norms and the integrity of public administration.

Said Rose Shaw: “The people of Eastern St Thomas made their choice on September 3rd. For a State Minister to tour a major hospital in my constituency without my knowledge, while accompanied by my defeated opponent, is a profound disrespect to the voters and to the democratic process.”

General Secretary of the People’s National Party, Dayton Campbell, added, “This is a calculated pattern to legitimise unsuccessful candidates and misuse the people’s resources. It is corrosive to our democracy and must cease.”

Leader of Opposition Business, Phillip Paulwell, stated, “The Government is deliberately blurring lines and creating administrative chaos. We will raise this matter formally in Parliament and demand accountability.”