Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

Former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller seeks divine blessing during intercessory prayer by (from left) Bishop Anthony Hatcher, Bishop Peter Morgan, Dr. David Mangar, Dr. Phillip Phinn, during the Word of Life Ministers International's Prophetic Conference at the Hilton Kingston hotel on Sunday, April 9. Dr. Phinn had said the PNP would have won the general election, but when Parliament reconvenes perhaps as early as this Thursday, the PNP members will sit on the Opposition benches. - file

THE CLOCK is ticking; not the one on the 'Portia Train', for it has indeed been derailed.

Rather, it is that which hangs on the wall across from the Speaker's chair inside Gordon House, which is counting down the last hours to the opening of Parliament, perhaps on Thursday.

When Portia Simpson Miller leads in the People's National Party (PNP) team, many will be heading into strange territory, the section of Parliament which Roger Clarke the former Minister of Agriculture and Lands, at a PNP meeting in Half-Way Tree during the election campaign, said he bequeathed to the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), their children and their children's children.

Clarke said then, "As the minister in charge of titles, I have asked my people to put in place a document to give to the Jamaica Labour Party, which gives them entitlement to the area of Parliament in which they now sit.

"All that area in Gordon House bounded on the north by the northern wall, on the south by the aisle between the Opposition and majority party, on the east by the eastern wall and on the west to that section just away from the Speaker's chair ... I bequeath that to them so that they can leave it for them and their children and their children's children".

However, only Mrs. Simpson Miller and D.K. Duncan, if he makes it, would have experienced life on this side of the House. Afterall, until September 3, the PNP had not lost power since 1989.

Chairs glistened

Bruce Golding knows what life is like on the other side of the House, having served in previous JLP governments, which included Derrick Smith, Mike Henry and Ken Baugh. As to how comfortable they will find the chairs there, we may just have to wait and see.

Yesterday, the chairs on both sides of the House glistened against the roof light. But it was that which was occupied by Dr. Omar Davies, which the light fell on mostly. That seat is Dr. Davies' no more. Instead, Audley Shaw will take it over and will rub shoulders with Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Dr. Kenneth Baugh and Derrick Smith in the front row closest to the Speaker's chair.

While preparations are being made for the 60 Members of Parliament-elect to take their seats in the hallowed walls, someone has seemingly forget to mount a photograph of the new Prime Minister in the lobby at the entrance to the chambers.

Mrs. Simpson Miller's picture is still in colour, while the previous prime ministers are in black and white, a symbol that they have transcended the office. Interestingly, there is no space in that section of the wall to accommodate a picture of Golding.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com