This week's featured overall development as Newsmaker of the Week is the range of reactions to the Supreme Court's decision to grant an interim injunction until March 28, to block the Portmore parish law from taking effect locally.
The decision, handed down by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes on Thursday, has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some expressing concern about the court's intervention, and others hailing it as a victory for democracy.
Some persons, however, are quick to point out that an injunction does not equate to victory for the Opposition in the case.
The controversy surrounding Portmore's parish status has been brewing for some time, with the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) vehemently opposing the Government's plans.
The PNP has argued that the move is an attempt at gerrymandering by the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to gain a political advantage. However, the JLP has dismissed such assertions, arguing that the move to change the municipality to a parish is aimed at further strengthening its social and economic development.
Both houses of Parliament - the Senate and the House of Representatives - have already debated and passed the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Bill, 2025, paving the way for Portmore to become a parish.
But the Opposition voted against the measure in both houses, citing concerns about the constitutionality of the move.
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes' orders have effectively put the brakes on the Government's plans, preventing Local Government and Community Development Minister, Desmond McKenzie, from naming a date for the law to take effect.
The attorney general has until next Wednesday to respond to the PNP's affidavit, while the parliamentary Opposition has until next Thursday to make additional filings.
The Andrew Holness-led Administration is yet to officially respond to the latest saga in the contentious battle to make Portmore the island's 15th parish. However, in personally responding to the developments relative to the injunction, JLP Member of Parliament (MP) for East Central St Catherine, Alando Terrelonge, said the Government remains committed to making Portmore the 15th parish of Jamaica.
"The (news) headline does not mean that Portmore cannot and will never become a parish," said Terrelonge in a video statement on Facebook late Friday.
He said next Friday, the Government’s arguments will be presented to the court, as the court could not hear all the arguments based on the time the relevant documents were served.
Alando Terrelonge
"We must never allow those people who are against growth, development and prosperity to spread their propaganda and stifle the prosperity of Portmore and Jamaica for their selfish political gains. On Friday, March 28, 2025, the matter will be heard in court," wrote Terrelonge in a caption accompanying the video.
Meanwhile, the PNP has welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, with Member of Parliament for Southern St Catherine, Fitz Jackson, the PNP’s spokesman on matters relative to Portmore, hailing it as an "important step in upholding the Constitution and protecting the democratic will of the people of Portmore."
Jackson added that, "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 (f Parliament) and assent by the governor-general."
In a statement from the PNP on Friday, Jackson also reiterated that the Government's move to impose parish status without proper consultation or consent from residents is "undemocratic and blatant gerrymandering".
Fitz Jackson
He said the Opposition fully supports the residents of Portmore in their plight for inclusion in matters that concern them.
"The Government's unilateral effort to impose parish status without proper consultation or consent from the residents is undemocratic and blatant gerrymandering," Jackson said, adding that, "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."
Jackson also highlighted the importance of preserving Portmore's unique local governance structure.
"Portmore's unique local governance structure, which was developed and maintained by its residents since its inception, must not be overridden for political gain," he said.
"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 manoeuvring on the brink of an election," Jackson added.
PNP President, Mark Golding, welcomed the court decision, claiming that the JLP was attempting to re-engineer the boundaries of certain constituencies in Portmore to achieve political advantage for the governing party.
Mark Golding
As the matter heads back to court next Friday, the country waits with bated breath to see how this political drama will unfold.
Some social media users have opined that the latest developments in the Portmore parish push underscore the deep-seated concerns about the Administration's motivations and the potential implications for the upcoming General Elections.
Meantime, other users said that one thing is certain, the Supreme Court's decision has dealt a significant blow to the Government's plans, with the Opposition seemingly determined to fight on.
"Some are upset that the PNP was successful in getting an injunction for Portmore being a parish. The PNP said it's (the law to make Portmore a parish) unconstitutional," a man wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
"Former ECJ chair said it’s unconstitutional. Current ECJ chair wrote to parliament saying it’s unconstitutional. Why are you upset with the PNP?" the man asked.
In response, a man stated that, "As a Portmore resident, I want to see the city I’ve lived in for 31 years become a parish. I am upset with the PNP because they are the main voice stopping this very important opportunity for the city’s development."
He argued further that, "Having held the mayorship for so long, the PNP is best placed to argue why Portmore’s development as a parish should be under them.
"Instead of laying out plans to outline what Portmore parish will look like under the PNP, they have decided to actively fight against it.
"The PNP is also divisive. They talk about Portmore residents’ voices not being heard - but based on their town halls attendees, it appears as though the only legitimate voices are those wearing orange, yellow or red," he opined.
"Where is the support for residents who want this?" he asked further.
Wrote a woman: "This Administration have a major problem with the Constitution. It is disconcerting."
On Facebook, a woman asked about the benefits of making Portmore a parish, and who will it truly benefit.
"The lawless despises the application of law... Who exactly will it help in making Portmore a parish, and how exactly will it help them?" she asked.
"Somebody plz (please) explain. I am willing to be schooled in this matter," the woman stated.
Opined a man: "No issue here. That’s how injunctions work guys. You give the benefit of the doubt to the applicant for an initial period so that the defendant can respond. This is not victory or news; that’s just how the law works."
Claimed another: "PNP fight against everything that is good for Jamaicans. Why going to court to stop something like that?"
In response, a woman said: "Jamaicans don't read at all! Portmore becoming a parish has consequences for the constituencies and will impact the St Catherine Parish Council (now Municipal Corporation), which the JLP want."
Shared a purported Portmore resident: "As a resident of Greater Portmore, I have applauded the outcome of the decision. This insulting behaviour of make decisions without consulting the residents should be rejected."
Said another: "I live in Portmore - Waterford to be exact - and I can't tell you what benefits will be derived from Portmore becoming a parish; all I see here is just politics - one (political) party wants all."
Another man added his voice to the discussion, insisting that Portmore should be a parish.
"No court, no PNP can stop Portmore becoming Jamaica’s next parish!
"Stop fighting Andrew Michael Holness. Portmore will get a hospital, market and courthouse, and people will get jobs when it becomes a parish. Believe Andrew Holness," he stated.
