{"id":276101,"date":"2026-05-12T16:23:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T20:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=276101"},"modified":"2026-05-12T15:28:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T19:28:21","slug":"watch-senator-jamilla-kirwan-says-public-service-must-be-about-doing-not-shouting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/watch-senator-jamilla-kirwan-says-public-service-must-be-about-doing-not-shouting\/","title":{"rendered":"WATCH: Senator Jamilla Kirwan Says Public Service Must Be About \u201cDoing\u201d Not \u201cShouting\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Senator Jamilla Kirwan Says Public Service Must Be About \u201cDoing\u201d Not \u201cShouting\u201d<\/p>

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Independent Senator Jamilla Kirwan says she intends to focus on service rather than political confrontation as she prepares to return to the Senate, describing modern politics as \u201ccaustic\u201d and urging young people to lead through action rather than rhetoric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking in an interview following her swearing-in ceremony, Kirwan reflected on the personal and political challenges she has faced in recent months, saying the experience tested her resilience and strengthened her commitment to national service.<\/p>

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\u201cI am, besides feeling overwhelmed, truly, truly humbled and truly, truly honored that this huge responsibility has been bestowed upon me,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is a true test of strength, because how do you know that you\u2019re strong unless you\u2019re tested?\u201d<\/p>

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Kirwan said her brief first stint in the Senate confirmed her desire to continue contributing to public life and national development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNational service is a huge responsibility. To whom much is given, much is required,\u201d she said, adding that she intended to approach the role \u201cfull throttle.\u201d<\/p>

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During the interview, Kirwan also addressed the challenges women and young people face in politics, acknowledging that many are discouraged by the increasingly hostile tone of public discourse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t quite like the political landscape,\u201d she said. \u201cI think it has become very caustic and very traumatic for any individual, women or men, and particularly our young people who are watching on.\u201d<\/p>

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Kirwan said she believes politics should be rooted in service rather than \u201cego,\u201d arguments and public confrontation.<\/p>

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\u201cThey want to see true representation of people who are not \u2014 it\u2019s not just about ego, it\u2019s not about the arguments and the shouting, it\u2019s about service,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senator pointed to her work managing the Calvin Air Foundation over the past six years as evidence of her commitment to helping vulnerable people and advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt has only been about service \u2014 helping people who are unable to help themselves and speaking for the voiceless,\u201d Kirwan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said she hoped her example would encourage young women to pursue leadership roles despite the pressures associated with politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to just talk the talk. I\u2019m going to walk the walk,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s not about the preaching. It\u2019s not about the talking. It\u2019s about the doing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kirwan also became emotional while reflecting on the influence of her late mother, \u201cMomi\u201d Lucy, whose recent passing she referenced repeatedly during the day\u2019s proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLucy has always said to me that I could do anything,\u201d she said, describing her mother as quiet and unassuming but deeply resilient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will continue to walk in the legacy that she has built for me and my children,\u201d Kirwan added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead to the new parliamentary term, Kirwan said her immediate priority was to be formally sworn in before beginning what she described as \u201cthe people\u2019s work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhatever is on the agenda, I\u2019m all for it,\u201d she said. \u201cReady to make my contribution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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