Family ties take centre stage in Parliament

Parliament took on the look of a family reunion on Thursday as a mix of political dynasties, husband-and-wife duos, and sibling rivalries coloured the swearing in of Jamaica's newest lawmakers.

Brothers Delroy and Donovan Williams became the latest siblings to simultaneously hold seats in Gordon House. Delroy won Clarendon Central for the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) while Donovan was returned for a second term as MP for Kingston Central.

"It's a thrilling feeling," Donovan said. "To see that we've ended up on this path together... it's wonderful. But we never planned it, never sat down and said this is what we'd do. It's just the journey of life."

Delroy, who entered politics as a councillor years ago, now joins his brother in the Lower House after securing victory in the recent elections.

"Iron sharpen iron," Donovan added. "He's new in Parliament, I've done a term. So we'll knock heads and learn from each other."

The Williams join Edmund (St James East Central) and Dr St Aubyn Bartlett (St Andrew Eastern), both JLP, and Dean (Manchester North West) and Michael Peart (Manchester South), both People's National Party (PNP) as siblings to have served together in the House of Representatives in recent times.

In the last Parliament, Pearnel Charles Jr (Clarendon South East) and his sister, Dr Michelle Charles (St Thomas Eastern), served together. However, Charles Jr has returned to Parliament without his elder sister, after she failed to secure re-election in the September 3 general election.

Meanwhile, the legacy torch was also passed in the Senate, where President Tom Tavares-Finson looked on proudly as his son, Christian Tavares-Finson, joined him in the Upper House. Having taken the oath of office, Christian headed to the president's chair for the customary handshake, but his father descended and gave him a warm embrace, much to the delight of senators and persons in the gallery.

Tom Tavares-Finson's uncle, DC Tavares, was a towering figure in the JLP and former member of parliament for St Andrew South West.

"It's a privilege to serve alongside my son in the Senate. It is something I never expected. I thank the prime minister for the appointments, and I know Christian will make a sterling contribution. He comes from a background of service it's in his DNA," said Tom. Christian said that the moment was humbling.

"I'm ecstatic," he said. "We approach this with zeal and energy. It's not something we planned, but God works in mysterious ways. Now it's time to serve with integrity."

The political bloodline saga didn't end there. Former PNP strongman Dr Fenton Ferguson beamed as his son, Ramon Small-Ferguson, was sworn in as an opposition senator--ensuring another generation of the Ferguson name lives on in Jamaica's legislature. The moment was not lost on Tavares-Finson.

"Today is a special day for me, but I won't go down that route," the president said in the chamber.

He continued: "I do, however, recognise former member of parliament, former minister of health, Dr Fenton Ferguson, who is here to witness the appointment in the Senate of his son".

Meanwhile, history took a sharp turn for the Duncans. Keith Duncan, son of late PNP stalwart DK Duncan, entered Parliament --not in his father's party colours, but as a JLP senator. His sister Patricia Duncan-Sutherland, contested St Andrew East on the PNP ticket but lost to Fayval Williams.

But while some families celebrated, others nursed bittersweet results. Daryl Vaz retained his Portland West seat, but his wife, Ann-Marie Vaz failed in her bid to return to Parliament by way on Portland East.

Not far away, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness made history of his own, being sworn in alongside his wife Juliet Holness--marking them as the country's most powerful political couple.

Dr Holness, who was sworn in for the fourth time as prime minister on Tuesday, cheered as his wife was re-elected as speaker of the House of Representatives. His congratulatory message was more professional than personal.

"My congratulations on your election to the seat of Speaker of this house," he said in an address to Parliament.