The Parliament of Jamaica (Jamaican Patois: Paaliment a Jumieka) is the legislative branch of the government of Jamaica. Officially, they are known as the Houses of Parliament. 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.
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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, 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 was delayed. As of May 2024, the project was still in the procurement phase.
House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is the Lower House. It is the group of elected members of parliament.
Senate
The Senate is the Upper House. The current members are:
Jamaica Labour Party:
The Hon. Thomas George Lewis Tavares-Finson, JP, President
The Hon. Aubyn Rochester Hill
The Hon. Kamina Elizabeth Johnson Smith, Leader of Government Business
The Hon. Matthew Peter Samuda
Dr. The Hon. Dana Morris Dixon
Abka Fitz-Henley
Ransford Braham
Kavan Anthony Gayle
Dr. Sapphire Inderea Longmore
Sherene Samantha Golding Campbell
Charles Anthony Sinclair
Donald George Wehby
Delroy Hugh Williams
People's National Party:
Peter Bancroft Bunting, Leader of Opposition Business
Donna Scott Mottley
Floyd Emerson Morris
Damion O. Crawford
Gabriela Morris
Sophia Lilleth Fraser-Binns
Lambert Alexander Brown, CD