PNP Granted Injunction Against JLP Government in Portmore Parish Predicament
Kingston, Jamaica. March 21, 2025: The Opposition People’s National Party yesterday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to grant an interim injunction in the matter of the Government’s move to declare Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish.
Fitz Jackson, Member of Parliament for South St. Catherine and Opposition Spokesperson with Responsibility for Affairs Concerning Portmore, explained that the orders granted by the Chief Justice the Honourable Bryan Sykes, temporarily halt the Government’s attempt to enforce the law declaring Portmore a parish and serve to protect the constitutional rights of residents until the Court fully hears and rules on the matter.
“These orders prevent the Minister of Local Government and Community Development from naming an effective date for the law, despite its passage through both Houses and assent by the Governor General”, said Fitz Jackson. This follows legal action filed by the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), challenging the desperate attempt by the Holness administration to manipulate constituency boundaries under the guise of development.
Jackson reiterated that, “this action by the court is an important step in upholding the Constitution and protecting the democratic will of the people of Portmore”. “The Government’s unilateral effort to impose parish status without proper consultation or consent from the residents is undemocratic, and blatant gerrymandering”, said MP Jackson.
The Opposition fully supports the residents of Portmore in their plight for inclusion in matters that concern them and is willing to take all legal steps to ensure that their voices are heard. Portmore’s unique local governance structure which was developed and maintained by its residents since its inception, must not be overridden for political gain. The people of Portmore have long enjoyed governance through a distinct framework, and any change to that must involve their full and informed participation, not political maneuvering on the brink of an election.
The Court has set a timeline for further proceedings, and the Attorney General must respond by Wednesday, March 26, 2025 with additional filings due from the PNP by Thursday, March 27, 2025. The matter will return before Justice Sykes on Friday, March 28, 2025.
“The PNP remains committed to defending the rule of law and ensuring that Jamaica’s democratic principles are preserved,” Jackson stated.
