The New Parliament

Gordon House, also known as the Parliament of Jamaica, was built back in 1960 before the country gained independence. It serves both houses, the Senate and the House and Representatives. Having visited the building once, I must admit that it is well-kept. However, there is evidence that shows it was designed for and built in a time before the 21st century. In my view, a new parliament should not be high up on the agenda but certainly deserves some consideration. After all, we demand excellent service and representation from our politicians. Therefore, it is only fair that we expect the place in which most of the country’s affairs are handled is up to global standards.

So, it came as no surprise to me in 2019 when the government announced the design and proposed location of the new parliament. I was even impressed that the Urban Development Cooperation (UDC) creatively decided to have local architects compete to have their designs selected for the new parliament. It is from this competition that the winning design was chosen.

Currently, the building at 81 Duke Street has one chamber that serves both the upper and lower house. The new parliament is said to have separate rooms for both houses of parliament. There will be a public gallery for the senate and a public gallery for the house of representatives along with a media room, conference rooms, offices, a library, a museum, and a café. In addition to the physical structure, there will also be a park with a jogging trail and designated green space. There is also an assurance that residents in neighbouring communities will not have to worry about displacement.

Now, I must clarify that I am neither supporting this project, nor am I against, I am trying to view it through the lens of a realist. Times are changing, and a 60-year-old building does not really say “change”. But it was not until last week when the government revealed the estimated cost of the project that my balanced perspective was tipped.

The new parliament will cost around US$50 million or roughly JA$7.6 billion to construct, and construction is expected to begin next May. Now this news sent social media into an uproar. But most of the comments gave the sense that people were just learning of the plan to build a new parliament. I was confused. I replied to my friends, baffled, asking if they were just learning of this.

However, it was not until I stepped away from the privilege of my knowledge and into the shoes of my average Jamaican counterparts that I achieved some clarity. Many people do not follow the news very closely. And many people may not have even cared until the thought of spending taxpayers’ money so quickly became a real possibility.

Then I had to add some context. On the back of thousands of students struggling to access education and violence and crime seeming to respect neither our elderly nor our children, the people feel misrepresented. Following the destruction of many roads due to heavy rainfall and flooding; the people feel like they are not being heard. Amid a global pandemic that is killing thousands of people daily and an already weak healthcare system, the people feel like they are on the back burner. Considering so many social, political, and economic issues, spending $7.6 billion on a new parliament should not be a priority for the foreseeable future.

So, I know about the plans for a new parliament, and thankfully most Jamaicans should know by now. I might not entirely disagree with the planned construction of the new building. Still, a postponement appears fitting given our current climate. I hope that our government exercises wisdom. May they put their ears to the ground and prioritise a new education system, a new healthcare system, new roads, and a new Jamaica over the new parliament.