Knight gives supporters a glimpse of Gordon House

While members of parliament (MPs) and other guests sporting tailored suits and wide-brimmed hats filled the chambers of Gordon House on Thursday's swearing in of Parliament, a quiet act stood out.

Stacey Knight, the People's National Party caretaker for St Andrew North Eastern, gave up her own seat in the parliamentary gallery to usher her supporters - two at a time - to experience being in the heart of Jamaica's democracy.

"I've been in the gallery of Parliament many times. It's not my first time today," said Knight, who lost to Jamaica Labour Party stalwart Delroy Chuck by a margin of 1,587 votes in the September 3 general election. "I'm here to support my colleagues today, but for several of my workers and party supporters, it's their first time being at the Houses of Parliament, and so I want to give them an opportunity to see it in real time."

So she stood outside the doors, calmly negotiating with security, guiding her constituents in and out like an usher at a Sunday service, as they kept swapping seats so that as many as possible could have their turn inside, experiencing the pomp, pageantry and ceremony.

"As a representative and as a caretaker, I see it as my duty--as a leader of the organisation in my constituency to expose and educate, to train, to empower, to build capacity of people," she said. "So I gave up my seat inside and I encouraged one of my colleagues also to do the same."

Inside, the gallery was packed so much so that even well-connected guests were turned away. But Knight, with calm determination, managed to get her people inside, her way of thanking citizens who walked the ground with her during the campaign and who, until that day, had never seen what democracy looks like from the inside.

"It's important because these MPs are swearing to represent us, so we need to hold them to account. When you witness this process, you feel more empowered... to be able to say, 'I saw you swear to uphold the Constitution.' And so when you do anything that doesn't uphold the Constitution, I feel like it's my right to be able to say, 'No, you lied to me,'" she said.

Among those she brought in was 38-year-old Kerry-Ann Whyte, who never dreamt she'd get to sit in the halls of Parliament.

"I am feeling great to be here today," Whyte said excitedly. "I didn't even think I would be able to go inside. Stacey is ensuring some of us get that opportunity because we are part of the campaigning and voting, but we don't get to see some parts of it. So I'm glad she finds it important for us to be included in this ceremony."

The scene outside Parliament was electric. Supporters gathered along Beeston Street, some catching glimpses of the action through gaps in the security perimeter. Inside, lawmakers took their oaths, pledging to uphold the Constitution. But for a few citizens, thanks to Knight, it wasn't just something they'd hear about on the news.