One step closer to 15th parish
Senate approves Portmore as Jamaica’s first new parish in over a century amid constitutional concerns and political tensions
Published:Saturday | March 1, 2025 | 12:08 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
The Senate yesterday approved the bill to make Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish despite lingering constitutional concerns and intense political debate.
The vote came after a marathon session that saw sharp exchanges between Government and Opposition senators, underscoring deep divisions over the bill’s implications.
The approval followed the House of Representatives’ passage of the bill on February 11, where Opposition members staged a walkout.
The Senate vote unfolded along strict party lines, with Government senators backing the legislation and Opposition members standing firmly against it. The bill now moves to Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen for his assent, the final step needed to officially transform Portmore into a parish.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS RAISED BY ECJ
A significant shadow over the decision is the constitutional warning from the Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ). Last month, the ECJ cautioned Parliament that the proposed boundary for Portmore might violate the Second Schedule of the Jamaica (Constitution) Order in Council 1962. The provision states, “The boundary of a constituency shall not cross the boundary of a parish as delimited by the Counties and Parishes Act or by any law amending or replacing that law.”
ECJ Chairman Earl Jarrett, in a letter dated February 12, outlined how the proposed boundary would affect four constituencies – St Catherine South Eastern, St Catherine East Central, St Catherine Southern, and St Catherine South Central. The changes would also impact 13 electoral divisions and 398 polling divisions currently within St Catherine.
The commission had raised these concerns as early as June 2024 to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development. However, despite these warnings, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie did not address the matter when the bill was presented in the House of Representatives.
OPPOSITION DECRIES ‘POLITICAL GERRYMANDERING’
The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has been vocal in its criticism, describing the push for parish status as “political gerrymandering” aimed at benefiting the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in future elections. The PNP argues that the boundary changes could manipulate electoral outcomes by reshaping constituencies in the JLP’s favour.
Opposition Senator Lambert Brown did not mince words during Friday’s Senate debate, taking aim directly at Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Brown suggested that the people of Portmore desired more than a new parish designation.
He stated, “The people of Portmore want a prime minister whose statutory declaration can be certified. The people of Portmore want a prime minister who is not under investigation for illicit enrichment.”
Senate Deputy President Charles Sinclair, who presided yesterday, interrupted Brown invoking a standing order to prevent such remarks. Brown then revised his statement, voicing support for PNP leader Mark Golding, “The people of Portmore want Mark Golding because he is certified. The people of Portmore want Mark Golding because he is not under investigation for illicit enrichment.”
Fellow Opposition Senator Peter Bunting echoed concerns about the practicality of implementing the new parish status before the next general election, which is due by September this year. Bunting questioned the Government’s readiness and timeline for executing the administrative and infrastructural changes required for the transition.
GOVERNMENT DEFENDS MOVE AS REFLECTING PEOPLE’S WILL
On the Government’s side, the argument has remained steadfast: the move to designate Portmore as a parish aligns with the wishes of local residents. The JLP has maintained that Portmore, with its rapidly expanding economy and urban landscape, deserves its own parish status and the accompanying administrative autonomy.
Senator Kamina Johnson Smith hailed the Senate debate as a “historic moment”, emphasising Jamaica’s sovereignty and legislative independence.
“Here we are on Jamaica Day, celebrating the fact that as an independent sovereign nation, we are able to take decisions under our sworn authorities as senators of Parliament,” Johnson Smith said.
She expressed disappointment over the lack of bipartisan support, noting, “It did not reflect the unity and celebration of sovereignty that should surround the creation of a new parish in Jamaica, the first to have been created in one hundred and fifty-eight years.”
Johnson Smith also downplayed the ECJ’s concerns, suggesting that the constitutional issues raised were being overblown by the Opposition.
“The Parliament will declare the parish and then the boundaries will be sorted using the normal mechanisms of the ECJ thereafter,” the minister said.
HOLNESS ACCUSES OPPOSITION OF ‘PREVENTING PROGRESS’
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, speaking to reporters during a tour of the Portmore Resilience Park yesterday, defended the Government’s decision and criticised the PNP for obstructing progress. He argued that the move to grant parish status to Portmore was not only practical but necessary.
“In life, there are those who make things happen and those who prevent things from happening. Jamaica can see who are the people making things happen and who are the people who are either incapable or deliberately preventing things from happening,” Holness said.
He emphasised Portmore’s development into a bustling urban centre, asserting that it requires a dedicated local administration to manage its growth effectively.
“This is what the Government is doing in declaring Portmore a parish,” he added.
Holness projected that Portmore would become “the most urbanised parish in Jamaica,” and reiterated the Government’s commitment to providing the necessary infrastructure for the transition.
PROTESTS AND UNCERTAINTY REMAIN
The Senate’s approval comes on the heels of protests by some Portmore residents last week, urging the Government to reconsider the parish designation. Demonstrators expressed concerns over potential disruptions to services and governance, as well as fears that the move was politically motivated.
Senator Brown predicted that even if the bill became law, its implementation could be reversed.
He cautioned, “You know the good thing about it – time come, and an election will be called, and we will repeal this act.”
With the Governor-General’s assent as the final hurdle, Jamaica stands on the brink of its first new parish creation in over a century. However, as the nation awaits this historic change, debates over the constitutionality and political motivations behind the move are far from settled.
BILL’S KEY PROVISIONS
• Among the bill’s key provisions is the official designation of Portmore as a parish, to include Hellshire Hills, Goat Island, and the City of Portmore, which will be the parish capital.
• It excludes specific areas, such as Lakes Pen, Grange Lane, Lime Tree Grove, and Quarry Hill from the parish of Portmore.
• The legislation also provides for the creation of a map for the parish of Portmore and a description of the city.
• The city of Portmore will incorporate the lands east of North Ascott, which include the Portmore Municipal Corporation and the police station, lands south of Braeton Parkway which comprise the Inland Revenue Department and commercial entities, parts of Naggo Head and lands north of Braeton Road.