JLP Dismisses Call For Referendum on Portmore’s Parish Status

The governing Jamaica Labour Party is rubbishing the call by Opposition Leader Mark Golding for a referendum to decide whether Portmore becomes Jamaica’s fifteenth parish or not.

Mr. Golding made the call in parliament on Tuesday as the bill was passed.

The JLP held a media briefing at the Houses of Parliament on Thursday.

Mahiri Stewart has that story.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding says the decision on Portmore’s status as a parish should be left to the people of Jamaica to decide.

However, according to the JLP, Jamaicans have already made it clear that they want it to receive parish status.

Member of Parliament for South East St. Catherine Robert Miller says numerous consultation sessions were held in Portmore prior to the tabling of the bill in parliament.

PNP Councillors made their displeasure at the government’s passing of the bill clear during the council meeting at the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation on Thursday.

The councillors forced an adjournment to the meeting after Greater Portmore North Gary Nicholson echoed the Opposition Leader’s sentiments for a referendum.

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie cited this move by the councillors as proof of the opposition’s lack of respect for local government.

East Central St. Catherine MP Alando Terrelonge used the incident to highlight another key reason why he believes Portmore should have parish status.