Opposition to the plan to make Portmore a parish includes fear that planned parish boundaries would leave parts of some constituencies — including St Catherine Southern and St Catherine East Central — in the new parish of Portmore, while other parts of these constituencies would be in the St Catherine parish.
February 11, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act 2025 to make the municipality of Portmore Jamaica’s 15th parish.
The bill, which was piloted by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, was passed despite stiff opposition from the People’s National Party (PNP) which accused the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) of gerrymandering while threatening court action.
Once it becomes the law, the position of the directly-elected mayor of Portmore now held by the PNP’s Leon Thomas, will no longer exist. This the PNP said goes against the will of the people of Portmore.
The PNP also pointed out that Portmore lacks the amenities that other parishes have such as a functioning court system, a general hospital and market, noting that residents will still rely on St Catherine to access those services.
The bill, which was passed with one amendment, will now go to the Senate for debate and passage, after which it will go to the Governor General for his assent.
Portmore is the first parish being created in Jamaica since May 1,1867 when the parish count was reduced from 22 to the current 14.