Bruce Golding facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Honourable
Bruce Golding
ON
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| 8th Prime Minister of Jamaica | |
| In office 11 September 2007 – 23 October 2011 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General | Sir Kenneth Hall Sir Patrick Allen |
| Deputy | Kenneth Baugh |
| Preceded by | Portia Simpson-Miller |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Holness |
| Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party | |
| In office 21 January 2005 – 20 November 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Edward Seaga |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Holness |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 21 January 2005 – 11 September 2007 |
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| Prime Minister | P. J. Patterson Portia Simpson-Miller |
| Preceded by | Edward Seaga |
| Succeeded by | Portia Simpson-Miller |
| Member of Parliament for Kingston West |
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| In office 21 January 2005 – 29 December 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Edward Seaga |
| Succeeded by | Desmond McKenzie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 December 1947 Chapelton, Colony of Jamaica |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Sherene Golding Campbell |
| Education | St. George's College |
| Alma mater | University of the West Indies |
Orette Bruce Golding (born 5 December 1947) is a former Jamaican politician. He served as the eighth Prime Minister of Jamaica from 2007 to 2011. He was also the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) from 2005 until he stepped down in 2011.
Contents
About Bruce Golding
Early Life and Family
Bruce Golding was born on December 5, 1947. His parents, Tacius and Enid Golding, were both teachers. Bruce was the third of four children in his family. When he was two years old, his family moved to St. Faiths district in St. Catherine. They lived there for five years. In 1955, his mother got a teaching job in Kingston, so the family moved there.
Bruce grew up in a family that was very involved in politics. His father, Tacius Golding, was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives in 1949. This is like being a representative in the government. His father held this position for 22 years. Tacius Golding was also the first Speaker of the House in independent Jamaica.
His Education
Bruce Golding attended St. George's College for five years. After that, he went to Jamaica College to study for his A-Levels. A-Levels are advanced exams students take before university.
In April 1966, Bruce Golding was the head boy at Jamaica College. He was part of the group that welcomed Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia to the school.
He started at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in 1966. He graduated in 1969 with a degree in Economics. He focused on how governments are run.
Starting in Politics
Bruce Golding was the chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). In 1995, he and some others decided to form a new political party. This new party was called the National Democratic Movement (NDM).
In 2002, he rejoined the JLP. In November 2003, he was again chosen as the party's chairman. On February 20, 2005, he was elected as the leader of the JLP. This also made him the leader of the opposition. He took over from Edward Seaga.
Bruce Golding served as a Member of Parliament for three different areas. These areas were West St. Catherine, Central St. Catherine, and Kingston West. While he was Prime Minister, Golding also hosted a monthly talk show called Jamaica House Live.
Becoming Prime Minister
Bruce Golding became Prime Minister after his party, the Jamaica Labour Party, won the 2007 Jamaican general election. The election was held on September 3, 2007. The JLP won by a small number of seats, 32 to 28. This election ended 18 years of rule by the People's National Party.
Golding was officially sworn in by the Governor-General of Jamaica on September 11, 2007. He was the eighth Prime Minister of Jamaica since the country became independent.
In April 2011, Bruce Golding said that Jamaica should become a republic. This would mean breaking its ties with the British monarchy. He explained that this change would not be disrespectful.
Challenges During His Term
During his time as Prime Minister, Bruce Golding faced some difficult situations. One of these involved a request from the United States. They asked for a person named Christopher "Dudus" Coke to be sent to the US for legal reasons.
The Jamaican government at first did not want to agree to this request. They said the evidence was not gathered according to Jamaican laws. It was later revealed that the Jamaica Labour Party had hired a US law firm to help with this issue. Bruce Golding explained that the party, not the government, had hired the firm.
After this information came out, many people and groups asked for Golding to resign. He apologized to the Jamaican people for his involvement. He offered to step down as Prime Minister, but his party supported him and asked him to stay. He then agreed to allow the extradition process to move forward.
State of Emergency
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Following the decision to allow the extradition, supporters of Christopher Coke built roadblocks. These were set up around the Tivoli Gardens community. On May 23, 2010, police stations in Kingston were attacked. Some were set on fire.
Because of these attacks, Bruce Golding declared a state of public emergency. This gave the police and military special powers to keep order. The Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force worked together. They entered Tivoli Gardens to arrest Coke and clear the roadblocks. They faced armed resistance. This situation lasted for several days. Sadly, many people died, including civilians and security forces. Many illegal weapons were also found.
Resignation
On September 25, 2011, Bruce Golding announced his decision. He said he would not seek to be re-elected as the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party. He also said he would step down as Prime Minister once a new party leader was chosen.
The party's executive body did not want him to resign. They voted to reject his decision. However, Golding's close advisors confirmed that he would still step down.
Personal Life
Bruce Golding married Lorna Charles in 1975. They have three children: Sherene, Steven, and Ann-Merita. Bruce Golding is a member of the Anglican church.
See also
In Spanish: Bruce Golding para niños
- Cabinet of Jamaica
