P. J. Patterson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Honourable
P. J. Patterson
ON OCC KC
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Patterson in 2005
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| 6th Prime Minister of Jamaica | |
| In office 30 March 1992 – 30 March 2006 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General | Sir Howard Cooke Sir Kenneth O. Hall |
| Deputy | Seymour Mullings (1993–2002) |
| Preceded by | Michael Manley |
| Succeeded by | Portia Simpson-Miller |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 30 March 1992 – 30 March 2006 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Michael Manley |
| Succeeded by | Portia Simpson-Miller |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica | |
| In office February 1989 – March 1992 |
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| Prime Minister | Michael Manley |
| Preceded by | Hugh Shearer |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| In office 1978 – November 1980 |
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| Prime Minister | Michael Manley |
| Preceded by | David Coore |
| Succeeded by | Hugh Shearer |
| President of the People's National Party | |
| In office 30 March 1992 – 30 March 2006 |
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| Prime Minister | Micheal Manley |
| Preceded by | Michael Manley |
| Succeeded by | Portia Simpson-Miller |
| Minister of Finance and the Public Service | |
| In office 1990–1991 |
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| Prime Minister | Michael Manley |
| Preceded by | Seymour Mullings |
| Succeeded by | Hugh Small |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade | |
| In office 1978–1980 |
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| Preceded by | Dudley Thompson |
| Succeeded by | Hugh Shearer |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Percival Noel James Patterson
10 April 1935 Hanover, Colony of Jamaica |
| Political party | People's National Party (1967–present) |
| Spouse | Shirley Field-Ridley (d. 1982) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | London School of Economics |
Percival Noel James Patterson, known to many as P.J. Patterson, is a famous Jamaican politician. He was the sixth Prime Minister of Jamaica, serving from 1992 to 2006. This means he was in charge of the country for 14 years, which is the longest time any prime minister has served in Jamaica's history. He also led the People's National Party (PNP) during this period.
Patterson was a Member of Parliament (MP) for different areas in Jamaica. He represented Westmoreland South Eastern from 1970 to 1980, and again from 1989 to 1993. After some changes to the areas, he became the MP for Westmoreland Eastern from 1993 until 2006. He stopped working in all these roles in January 2006.
During his time in politics, he held many important jobs in the government. These included Minister of Industry and Tourism, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Minister of Finance and Planning.
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Early Life and Education
P.J. Patterson was born on April 10, 1935, in Hanover Parish, Jamaica. His father, Henry Patterson, was a farmer, and his mother, Ina James, was a primary school teacher.
He went to Calabar High School in Kingston for his secondary education. After that, he studied at the University of the West Indies (UWI). He later continued his studies at the London School of Economics in England.
While at UWI, he was involved in student politics. He became interested in how Caribbean countries could work together. He also cared about the issues facing developing countries around the world. In 1958, he earned a degree in English.
His time studying law in London helped him learn even more about international politics. He won special awards for his excellent work in law. Many of his fellow students at that time also became leaders in their own countries.
Beginning His Political Journey
Patterson joined the People's National Party (PNP) in 1958. This was a big step in his political career. By 1964, he was an important member of the party's main councils.
In 1969, he became a Senator in the Jamaican Parliament. He was chosen by the leader of the opposition, Norman Manley. Later that year, at just 33 years old, he became the youngest Vice President of the PNP.
When Michael Manley wanted to become the leader of the PNP in 1969, he asked P.J. Patterson to lead his campaign. This started a strong working relationship between them that lasted for 23 years. They shared many political ideas and helped each other.
Patterson was elected as a Member of Parliament for Westmoreland South Eastern in 1970. He kept this seat until 1980. After some changes to the election areas, he was elected for Westmoreland Eastern in 1993. He held this seat until he retired in 2006.
He was very good at organizing political campaigns. He helped the PNP win the general elections in 1972. Because of this success, he was appointed to his first government job as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Tourism. From 1978 to 1980, he also served as Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The PNP lost the elections in 1980, and Patterson lost his MP seat. However, he was elected as the party chairman in 1983. When the PNP won by a lot in 1989, Patterson returned as Deputy Prime Minister. He also held other important roles like Minister of Finance and Planning.
Leading Jamaica as Prime Minister
P.J. Patterson became Prime Minister in 1992 after Michael Manley retired. At this time, Jamaica was facing challenges in a changing global economy.
In the 1993 general election, Patterson led the PNP to another big win. They won 52 out of 60 seats, beating former prime minister Edward Seaga.
He worked hard to improve Jamaica's social safety nets. These programs helped to reduce poverty and social problems.
In the 1997 general election, Patterson led the PNP to a third win in a row. This was a big achievement. The PNP won 50 out of 60 seats.
Many people believe his efforts helped bring a lot of investment to Jamaica. This included money for tourism, mining, and technology. He also ended Jamaica's long-term borrowing from the International Monetary Fund. This gave Jamaica more freedom to make its own economic choices. In 2002, Patterson led the PNP to another election victory. He became the first Jamaican prime minister to serve four terms in a row.
In 2003, Patterson said he wanted Jamaica to become a republic by the time he left office. This would mean Jamaica would no longer have the British monarch as its head of state. He believed it was time to move past the last parts of colonialism. However, Jamaica is still a monarchy today.
In 2004, as the head of CARICOM (a group of Caribbean countries), he made a big international decision. He led the group in refusing to recognize the new government in Haiti. This was after the elected leader, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was removed from office. Patterson even arranged for Aristide to stay in Jamaica for a while.
One of his last big projects as Prime Minister was to improve Jamaica's education system. He wanted to make sure young people had the skills to succeed in the global economy. During his time in office, poverty in Jamaica also went down a lot.
Patterson retired as prime minister on January 30, 2006. Portia Simpson-Miller took over as the next Prime Minister.
After Being Prime Minister
After leaving office, P.J. Patterson continued to serve on the world stage. From 2006 to 2007, he led a group that looked at how countries could join the Commonwealth of Nations.
He is also a member of the Club of Madrid. This group includes over 100 former presidents and prime ministers from democratic countries. They work to make democracy stronger around the world.
Patterson has helped create important international agreements. These agreements have shaped how developing countries work with richer nations.
He is also part of the Global Leadership Foundation. This group of former leaders helps current national leaders with issues like good government and solving conflicts. They share their experience to support democracy and human rights.
Patterson played a key role in creating CARICOM, which helps Caribbean countries work together. He used his knowledge of law and trade to help set up the Caribbean Court of Justice and the CARICOM Single Market. These were big steps towards a more connected Caribbean region.
When he was Jamaica's foreign minister, he led talks between African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries and the European Union. He helped create the Lomé Convention, which was an important agreement for trade and aid.
He was also strongly against apartheid in South Africa. He supported the movement to free South Africa from this unfair system.
Honors and Awards
When P.J. Patterson became Prime Minister in 1992, he received the Order of the Nation. This honor allows him to be called "The Most Honourable."
In 2006, he was given the Order of Excellence of Guyana. In 2009, he received the Order of the Caribbean Community. These are high honors that recognize his important contributions.
On April 13, 2022, Patterson resigned from the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.
See also
In Spanish: Percival James Patterson para niños
