Daryl Vaz (left) is congratulated by his father, Douglas Vaz, after being sworn in as member of parliament for West Portland yesterday, while Senator Arthur Williams and a visitor look on from the well. The elder Vaz is a former minister in the Jamaica Labour Party government of the 1980s. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
While welcoming her Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) colleague, Daryl Vaz, back to the House of Representatives yesterday, Shahine Robinson, the member of parliament for North East St Ann, declared the West Portland by-election was an "unnecessary waste" of taxpayer dollars.
Vaz was ejected from Parliament after the court held that at the time of his nomination for the September 2007 general election, he had pledged allegiance to the United States and, therefore, was disqualified from sitting as a parliamentarian.
Vaz returned to the House yesterday and took the oath of office following victory in the March 23 by-election.
Scoffed at exercise
Robinson, who is also accused of being an illegitimate occupant of a seat in the House of Representatives, scoffed at the exercise which led to Vaz's disqualification.
"It is a distraction that we could have well done without and it was also an unnecessary expense because it cost taxpayers $30 million to put on that election and I believe that those energies, time and funds could have been channelled in a better direction," Robinson said.
However, Derrick Kellier, the leader of opposition business, argued the by-election was important, noting that "it satisfied the requirements of the Constitution of this country".
Robinson, her government colleagues Gregory Mair and Michael Stern are facing challenges to their legitimacy in the courts.
When Vaz returned yesterday, there was a tremendous show of support from members of the House who thumped their desks to acknowledge his second coming.
Handshakes all around
Immediately after taking the oath of office, the West Portland MP embraced Prime Minister Bruce Golding, then Opposition Spokesman on Finance Dr Omar Davies before shaking hands all around.
Vaz, who spoke in Parliament for the third time since his entry into Parliament in 2007, said his success in the by-election was victory all around.
"The events that culminated in my swearing-in today have been a victory for the rule of law, a victory for democracy and for the will of the electorate in West Portland and a victory for true representation," Vaz said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Golding told Parliament that he has advised Governor General Dr Patrick Allen "that the member for Western Portland should be appointed as a minister".
The appointment takes place today at King's House.
daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com