Police called as JLP and PNP supporters clash at Portmore parish talks

A public consultation over the move to make Portmore into a parish ended prematurely on Tuesday evening as supporters of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) verbally clashed at the city municipality's headquarters.

The police were called to restore order.

The issue has grown intensely partisan.

"Shame on you!" a group of PNP supporters shouted at Alando Terrelonge, the JLP Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central constituency, which includes sections of Portmore.

He was earlier heckled by PNP supporters while addressing a resident's question.

A video also shows PNP Mayor Leon Thomas grabbing a yellow placard from a woman.

The event was organised by the municipality.

The JLP's Robert Miller, the MP for St Catherine South Eastern was also at the meeting.

Last week, the Government used its majority in the House of Representatives to approve a bill to make Portmore into Jamaica's 15th parish, formally severing it from St Catherine parish.

The Opposition strongly opposes the move, claiming it's an act of "political gerrymandering" to secure Terrelonge's seat, strengthen the JLP's chances in the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, and undo unfavourable results from last year's local government elections.

The change would end the direct election of Portmore's mayor, effectively ending Thomas' tenure. Councillors from Portmore would also no longer sit in the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, which is currently controlled by the PNP.

"If the Labour party tink seh it ago guh so, we ago block up the whole a Jamaica and tek it to the street because the wishes of the people must be observed," declared Dr Dayton Campbell, the PNP's general secretary, at a party meeting on Sunday. He has accused the JLP of using Parliament to "steal" the elections.

The Government has rejected the allegations, insisting that the move is to give effect to the wishes of the residents of Portmore.

"It is clear that the PNP feels that if they are not the ones who are doing it, then it ought not to be done, and we are not going to be distracted by any mischief and propaganda that they are making about the Government’s decision,” argued Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, who piloted the bill in the House.

In November 2023, JLP MP and then Cabinet Minister Everald Warmington argued that the expected boundary shift in Portmore would create a stronghold for the JLP in Terrelonge's constituency.

"When we tek Portmore off of St Catherine, is a different ball game.... ...it means that under no circumstances PNP can ever win the St. Catherine Parish Council again. Never again," he said.

The Portmore parish bill proposes to exclude the communities of Lakes Pen, Grange Lane, Lime Tree Grove, and Quarry Hill, all areas of the Portmore Pines division in Terrelonge's constituency.

"We have the boundary that we wanted all along," he said.

Political boundaries are determined by the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, on which both parties have representatives. Former Director of Elections Orette Fisher said he does not anticipate any changes before the general election due by September.

The Portmore bill is to be debated in the Senate next.

- Ruddy Mathison contributed to this report.

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