DWAYNE VAZ, the People's National Party representative from Central Westmoreland, was on Tuesday welcomed to the House of Representatives with kisses from Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and friendly gestures from the parliamentary opposition.
The political neophyte booked his ticket to Gordon House after defeating the Jamaica Labour Party's Faye Reid Jacobs and Ras Astor Black of the Jamaica Alliance Movement in a by-election to fill the seat that became vacant upon the death of Roger Clarke.
Scores of PNP supporters from the Central Westmoreland constituency filled the visitors' gallery in Gordon House on Duke Street to observe their MP taking the Oath of Allegiance.
SEALED WITH A KISS
After being sworn in, Vaz saluted his colleagues on the Government side, including Prime Minister Simpson Miller who kissed the young MP on both sides of the cheek, before he turned to acknowledge members on the Opposition side.
In the absence of Opposition Leader Andrew Holness during the brief swearing-in ceremony, Government MPs cheered on young Vaz as he approached Opposition Spokesman on Finance Audley Shaw to greet him. "Leader, leader," the Government members said of Shaw as he welcomed Vaz.
In another moment of humour, Opposition MP Daryl Vaz entered the chamber almost immediately after pleasantries subsided among political rivals. Triggering another session of friendly bantering, Daryl walked over to the Government backbench and congratulated the young MP. "From the moment him win he was a true Vaz," he chimed as members burst into laughter.