P. J. Patterson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Honourable
P. J. Patterson
ON OCC KC
|
|
|---|---|
Patterson in 2005
|
|
| 6th Prime Minister of Jamaica | |
| In office 30 March 1992 – 30 March 2006 |
|
| 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 |
|
| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Michael Manley |
| Succeeded by | Portia Simpson-Miller |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica | |
| In office February 1989 – March 1992 |
|
| Prime Minister | Michael Manley |
| Preceded by | Hugh Shearer |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| In office 1978 – November 1980 |
|
| 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 |
|
| Prime Minister | Micheal Manley |
| Preceded by | Michael Manley |
| Succeeded by | Portia Simpson-Miller |
| Minister of Finance and the Public Service | |
| In office 1990–1991 |
|
| Prime Minister | Michael Manley |
| Preceded by | Seymour Mullings |
| Succeeded by | Hugh Small |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade | |
| In office 1978–1980 |
|
| 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, often called P.J. Patterson, was the sixth Prime Minister of Jamaica. He was born on April 10, 1935. He served as Prime Minister from 1992 to 2006. This means he was in office for 14 years, making him the longest-serving prime minister in Jamaica's history. He was also the leader of the People's National Party during this time.
Patterson was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Westmoreland South Eastern from 1970 to 1980. He became an MP again from 1989 to 1993. After some changes to the voting areas, he served as the MP for Westmoreland Eastern from 1993 until 2006. He retired from all his political roles in January 2006.
During his career, 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.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
P.J. Patterson's parents were Henry Patterson, a farmer, and Ina James, a teacher. They both came from the Hanover Parish in western Jamaica. He went to Calabar High School in Kingston for his secondary education. Later, he studied at the University of the West Indies and the London School of Economics.
While at the University of the West Indies (UWI), he was in charge of the External Affairs Commission. This allowed him to meet world leaders and learn about international politics. At UWI, he also became very interested in working with other Caribbean countries. In 1958, he earned a degree in English.
His studies at the London School of Economics helped him learn even more about international politics. He won special scholarships and prizes for his excellent work in law. Many of his classmates at the London School of Economics later became leaders in their own countries.
Starting in Politics
Patterson joined the People's National Party (PNP) in 1958. He became an important member of the party's main councils in 1964. In 1969, he became an Opposition Senator in the Parliament of Jamaica. This means he was appointed by the leader of the party not in power. He was only 33 when he became the youngest Vice President of the PNP that same year.
In 1969, Michael Manley, who would later become Prime Minister, asked P.J. Patterson to lead his campaign to become the PNP's President. This was the start of a strong partnership that lasted for 23 years. They shared many political ideas and worked well together.
Patterson was elected as the Member of Parliament for Westmoreland South Eastern in 1970. The voting areas changed before the 1993 election. He was then elected as the MP for Westmoreland Eastern, a seat he held until he retired in 2006.
He helped manage the PNP's election campaign in 1972. His organizing skills were a big reason the party won that year. After the victory, he was appointed to his first government job as Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism. From 1978 to 1980, Patterson served as deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The PNP lost the election in 1980, and Patterson lost his seat. However, in 1983, he became the party chairman. When the PNP won by a lot in 1989, Patterson returned as deputy prime minister. He also served as Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1991.
Leading the Country as Prime Minister
P.J. Patterson became Prime Minister in 1992 after Michael Manley retired. At this time, Jamaica was facing big changes in how countries traded and worked together globally. In the 1993 election, Patterson led the PNP to another victory. They won 52 out of 60 seats, beating Edward Seaga of the Jamaica Labour Party.
Patterson worked hard to make Jamaica's social support systems stronger. This was a key part of his plan to help people who were struggling and reduce poverty.
In the 1997 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.
He invested a lot in improving Jamaica's infrastructure, like roads and buildings. He also worked to fix the country's financial system. These efforts led to a time of great investment in tourism, mining, and technology. He also ended Jamaica's borrowing relationship with 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 be sworn in for a fourth term.
In 2003, Patterson said he wanted Jamaica to become a republic by the time he left office. This meant he wanted Jamaica to have its own head of state, not the British monarch. He said, "The majority of people in Jamaica are ready to get rid of the last parts of colonialism." However, Jamaica is still a monarchy today. In 2012, he shared his disappointment that Jamaica had not yet become a republic.
In 2004, as Chairman of CARICOM (a group of Caribbean nations), he made an important decision. He led CARICOM in refusing to recognize the new government in Haiti. This happened after the elected leader, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was removed from office. Patterson helped Aristide stay in Jamaica temporarily.
As one of his last big projects as Prime Minister, he started a program to greatly improve Jamaica's education system. The goal was to help young people get the skills they needed 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 Prime Minister.
After Being Prime Minister
After his time as Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson continued to serve. From 2006 to 2007, he led a committee that looked at how countries could join the Commonwealth of Nations. This committee shared its ideas at a meeting in Uganda in 2007.
Working with Other Countries
Patterson is 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.
He has also helped create important international agreements. These agreements have shaped how developed and developing countries work together. They have also helped developing countries in their negotiations.
He is also part of the Global Leadership Foundation. This group was started in 2004 by former South African President F. W. de Klerk. The Global Leadership Foundation helps support democratic leaders. It also works to prevent conflicts and promote good government. They do this by sharing the experiences of former leaders with current national leaders.
Patterson played a very important role in creating CARICOM. This is a group that helps Caribbean countries work together. He used his knowledge of law and trade to help create the Caribbean Court of Justice. He also helped create the CARICOM Single Market, which allows for easier trade between Caribbean countries. These ideas became real in 2005 and 2006.
When he was Jamaica's foreign minister, he was also president of the ACP/EU Ministerial Council. He led talks for the ACP countries with the European Community. He was key in creating the first Lomé Convention, an agreement that helped trade between these groups.
Patterson was strongly against apartheid (a system of racial separation) in South Africa. He was a big supporter of South Africa's freedom movement.
Awards and Honors
When P.J. Patterson became Prime Minister of Jamaica in 1992, he received the Order of the Nation. This honor allows him to be called "The Most Honourable" and use the letters "ON" after his name.
In 2006, he received the Order of Excellence of Guyana. This allowed him to use the letters "OE". On July 2, 2009, he received the Order of the Caribbean Community, which allows him to use "OCC".
On April 13, 2022, Patterson resigned from the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.
See also
In Spanish: Percival James Patterson para niños
