New shadow spokespersons ready for their assignments
Published:Tuesday | September 30, 2025 | 12:13 AMEdmond Campbell/Senior Staff Reporter
With more than a decade and a half at the Jamaican Bar, Zuleika Jess, newly appointed opposition spokesperson on justice, says she is ready for the task.
The new parliamentarian told The Gleaner that she had no idea that Opposition leader Mark Golding had planned to assign her to speak on justice.
Golding named a 36-member shadow Cabinet yesterday comprising a team of spokespersons and some deputies.
According to Jess, it is the purview of the Opposition leader to decide on the make-up of his shadow Cabinet and as such, she was pleasantly surprised when she was informed of the portfolio he would like her to cover.
“I felt a sense of gratitude for the confidence he reposed in me,” Jess told The Gleaner.
Jess said years of legal experience has prepared her for the role she has been given, noting that the seniority and parliamentary experience of her government counterpart in Gordon House has not fazed her as she prepares to debate and discuss critical issues affecting the justice system in Jamaica.
Come November this year, Jess would have completed 15 years practising at the Bar and as such is deemed senior counsel.
“I do possess a wealth of experience right across the board in terms of various subject matters, both locally as well as internationally, and I believe that I bring a fresh perspective to the justice portfolio, and that will become evident in the days to come,” she said.
DELIGHTED
At the same time, Nekeisha Burchell, who has been asked to shadow the creative industries, culture and information, said while she did not anticipate this assignment, she is delighted to speak on one of Jamaica’s most powerful sectors.
“It is how we tell our stories to ourselves, but also how we tell it to the world.
“And being such a huge driver of jobs and for economic growth, I am now excited by it. I am excited about the potential it has and what it can mean for Jamaica, and even for my constituents in South St James,” she added.
The new opposition member of parliament (MP) said she is prepared to agitate for policy changes on the floor of Parliament through the introduction of private members’ motions. Burchell indicated that it would be the Government’s prerogative to consider and make space to debate motions moved by the Opposition.
She recalled that during the last parliamentary term, several private members’ motions were tabled by opposition lawmakers, but they were not scheduled for debate by the ruling administration.
KEY PILLARS
Among the new faces in the shadow Cabinet are Senator Ramon Small-Ferguson, Isat Buchanan, Andrea Purkiss, Wavell Hinds, Christopher Brown, Omar Newell, Dr Kenneth Russell and Dennis Gordon.
The Opposition leader said the shadow Cabinet was organised around four key pillars of national life: economic development, human development, physical development, and governance, ensuring a structured approach to addressing Jamaica’s most pressing challenges.
Golding noted that the team would provide oversight and hold the Government accountable, and present alternative policies that reflect the party’s vision for a just, inclusive, and progressive Jamaica.
“In unveiling this shadow Cabinet, we present a team of bright minds, experienced leaders, and energetic new voices who are ready to serve the people of Jamaica,” said Golding.
Today, parliamentarians are slated to attend an orientation exercise to introduce or refresh the minds of returning MPs to parliamentary procedures, and the roles of key officers and the support they provide to legislators.
The session will include presentations on the Constitution, Standing Orders, and the legislative process, along with opportunities to engage directly with the Clerk to the Houses and senior staff.