‘Important step in upholding the Constitution’
PNP welcomes court’s injunction temporarily halting Government’s move to make Portmore a parish
Published:Sunday | March 23, 2025 | 10:01 PM
The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to grant an interim injunction temporarily halting the government’s push to declare Portmore as Jamaica’s 15th parish.
Fitz Jackson, Member of Parliament for South St Catherine and Opposition Spokesperson on Portmore Affairs, explained that the ruling by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes on Thursday prevents the minister of local government and community development from naming an effective date for the law, despite its passage in both houses and assent by the governor general.
The injunction follows legal action filed by the PNP, which argues that the Government’s move to turn Portmore into a parish is a blatant act of gerrymandering disguised as development.
Jackson stated that the Supreme Court’s ruling is a critical step in protecting the constitutional rights of Portmore’s residents and preventing unilateral political manoeuvres ahead of an election.
“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,” he said.
“Portmore has had a unique governance structure shaped by its residents, and any change should involve full and informed participation.”
The legal challenge, filed on March 17, 2025, is backed by Jackson, Portmore’s Mayor Leon Thomas, and councillors Claude Hamilton and Vanrick Preddie. The parliamentary Opposition also submitted an affidavit of urgency, arguing that enforcing the law would cause “potentially irreparable constitutional breaches”.
The attorney general has until March 26, 2025, to respond, with further filings due from the PNP on March 27. The matter will return before Justice Sykes on March 28 for further hearings.
Attorney General Dr Derrick McCoy and Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie are named as defendants.
“The PNP remains committed to defending the rule of law and ensuring that Jamaica’s democratic principles are upheld,” Jackson declared.