Government Tables Bill to Make Portmore a Parish, Sparks Opposition Concerns

The Jamaican government on Tuesday introduced legislation aimed at elevating Portmore to parish status, a move that has drawn strong criticism from the opposition.

The Counties and Towns (Amendment) Act 2025, tabled by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, proposes to amend existing legislation to incorporate Portmore as the 15th parish within the county of Middlesex. The bill also outlines the parish’s boundaries and seeks to establish the Portmore Municipal Corporation.

However, the bill revokes Portmore’s current city municipality status, a move that has been met with opposition from the People’s National Party (PNP).

Fitz Jackson, the PNP’s spokesman on Portmore-related matters, accused the government of manipulating St. Catherine’s constituency boundaries for political gain. He criticized the proposed changes as “backward and retrograde,” arguing that they undermine the independence of the Electoral Advisory Commission.

The bill defines the boundaries of the new parish, including areas like Hellshire Hills and Goat Island, while excluding several communities considered PNP strongholds, such as Lakes Pen and Grange Lane. The City of Portmore will be designated as the parish town, encompassing specific areas and key public buildings.

Jackson also expressed concern over the potential abolition of the directly elected mayor of Portmore, a system achieved through significant resident efforts. He emphasized the residents’ opposition to these changes, citing the recent local government elections where attempts to separate Portmore from St. Catherine were overwhelmingly rejected.

The PNP has consistently opposed Portmore’s elevation to parish status, and Jackson warned that the current bill could have serious consequences. He argued that the move jeopardizes the independence of the Electoral Advisory Commission, established to prevent gerrymandering and political violence, potentially leading to a return to the era of political tribalism and violence.

Jackson further questioned the government’s justification for making Portmore a parish, demanding a clear demonstration of the benefits this change would bring.