KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The chief of the primary opposition Individuals’s Nationwide Social gathering (PNP), Mark Golding, says the get together has filed a lawsuit within the constitutional court docket to strike down a invoice to determine a fifteenth parish.
The invoice to make the city of Portmore the fifteenth parish was not too long ago handed within the higher and decrease homes of parliament.
In his contribution to Thursday’s 2025/26 finances debate, Golding mentioned the transfer is unconstitutional and can give the Jamaica Labour Social gathering (JLP) a political benefit.
If the invoice turns into legislation, the opposition has vowed to take authorized motion and protest within the streets. In accordance with Golding, the lawsuit was filed on Wednesday.
“We regard the pursuit of this laws as a harmful affront to Jamaica’s democracy, which should be vigorously resisted,” he mentioned.
He additionally expressed concern that Jamaica’s democracy is in danger because the governing JLP states that the PNP shouldn’t be allowed again in energy.
Golding additionally reiterated that the Jamaica Labour Social gathering (JLP) Authorities can’t declare paternity for the fiscal self-discipline the nation now enjoys, which has resulted within the debt-to-GDP ratio being set to fall beneath 70 p.c on the finish of this month.
Golding asserted that the opposition get together set Jamaica on its present path, having achieved the “heavy lifting” in Authorities between 2012 and 2016.
Regarding plans for the schooling sector underneath a PNP authorities, Golding mentioned the PNP would be sure that academics obtain reductions of their scholar debt and motorcar concessions at ranges that improve with their years of service.
He additionally mentioned academics will profit from “enhanced entry” to Nationwide Housing Belief (NHT) loans and shall be given precedence in housing allocations in NHT-funded schemes.
Golding mentioned a future PNP-led authorities would additionally take away all taxes on laptops and tablets for college students and academics and negotiate package deal offers to offer academics with free web service as a instrument of their commerce.
In accordance with him, information reveals that the Jamaican financial system’s productiveness has been in long-term decline, with a lot of the nation’s workforce in low-skilled and low-paying jobs.
“The following PNP authorities will reinvigorate Jamaica’s techniques of ability coaching and certification,” he mentioned.
The opposition chief additionally declared that Reggae famous person Bob Marley and cultural icon Louise Bennett-Coverley could be made nationwide heroes if the PNP types the Authorities after the subsequent common election, which is constitutionally due by September.
Golding mentioned making Marley and Bennett-Cloverley nationwide heroes “shall be a precedence after we kind the federal government.”
“We are going to confer the Order of Nationwide Hero on the Honourable Louise Bennett-Cloverley, making her our second feminine Nationwide Heroine.”
He additionally mentioned that as Jamaica cements the spirit of the enduring international anthem, ‘One LoLove, ‘ the PNP-led Authorities may also commemorate the importance of “the fi wi” language in expressions and identification.
Regarding the crime charge, Golding credited the opposition’s refusal to help the extension of States of Emergency, partially for the latest decline within the nation’s homicide charge.
In his contribution to the Price range Debate, he asserted that the 30 p.c discount within the variety of murders to date this 12 months, in contrast with 2024, is indicative of the effectiveness of focused policing methods over what he termed the ineffective States of Emergency.
He, nevertheless, mentioned whereas the parliamentary opposition welcomes the latest decline in murders, the murder charge stays alarmingly excessive.
He mentioned a future PNP-led Authorities would undertake a balanced strategy to tackling the foundation causes of crime, together with a public well being strategy to violence prevention, pre-charge detention of suspects, and social transformation initiatives.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness is because of contribute to the finances debate on Thursday, and Finance Minister Fayval Williams is because of shut the talk subsequent Tuesday.
