Prime Minister of Jamaica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of Jamaica |
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Standard of the Prime Minister of Jamaica
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Emblem of the Prime Minister of Jamaica
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| Style | The Most Honourable |
| Member of | Cabinet |
| Reports to | Governor-General |
| Residence | Vale Royal |
| Seat | Dusit District, Kingston |
| Appointer | Governor-General |
| Term length | 5 years
Renewable
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| Formation | 6 August 1962 |
| Deputy | Deputy Prime Minister |
| Salary | J$28,587,983 annually |
| Website | www.opm.jm |
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The prime minister of Jamaica (in Jamaican Patois, Prime Minista a Jumieka) is the main leader of the government in Jamaica. Think of them as the head of the team that runs the country. The current prime minister is Andrew Holness.
Mr. Holness is the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). He became prime minister on March 3, 2016. He was re-elected on September 7, 2020, after his party won a big victory in the 2020 general election. The Governor-General officially appoints the prime minister. The Governor-General represents King Charles III in Jamaica.
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Where the Prime Minister Lives and Works
The official home for the prime minister of Jamaica is a place called Vale Royal. This beautiful house was built a long time ago in 1694. It was built by Sir William Taylor, who was one of the richest people in Jamaica back then.
In 1928, the government bought Vale Royal. It became the home for the British colonial secretary. Later, it became the official residence for Jamaica's prime ministers. Vale Royal is not open to the public.
The main office for the prime minister is at Jamaica House. Prime ministers used to live there from 1964 to 1980. Since 1972, it has been the official office. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has said that Jamaica House is his official residence. He also mentioned that Vale Royal needs repairs. After it's fixed, they will decide how to use it in the future.
Jamaica's Leaders Through the Years
Jamaica has had different titles for its top leader before becoming fully independent.
Chief Ministers of Jamaica (1953–1959)
Before Jamaica became an independent country, its main leader was called the Chief Minister. This role was important in helping Jamaica move towards self-governance.
| No. | Portrait | Chief Minister (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Political party | Election | ||
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| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| 1 | Sir Alexander Bustamante (1884–1977) |
5 May 1953 | 2 February 1955 | 1 year, 273 days | JLP | — | |
| 2 | Norman Manley (1893–1969) |
2 February 1955 | 14 August 1959 | 4 years, 193 days | PNP | 1955 | |
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Premiers of Jamaica (1959–1962)
After the Chief Minister role, the leader was called the Premier. This was the final step before Jamaica gained full independence in 1962.
| No. | Portrait | Premier (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Political party | Election | ||
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| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| 1 | Norman Manley (1893–1969) |
14 August 1959 | 29 April 1962 | 2 years, 258 days | PNP | 1959 | |
| 2 | Sir Alexander Bustamante (1884–1977) |
29 April 1962 | 6 August 1962 | 99 days | JLP | 1962 | |
Prime Ministers of Jamaica (1962–Present)
Since Jamaica became independent on August 6, 1962, the country's top leader has been known as the Prime Minister.
Key: † Died in office
| No. | Portrait | Prime Minister (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Political party | Election | ||
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| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||||
| 1 | Sir Alexander Bustamante (1884–1977) |
6 August 1962 | 23 February 1967 | 4 years, 201 days | JLP | – | |
| 2 | Sir Donald Sangster (1911–1967) |
23 February 1967 | 11 April 1967 † | 47 days | JLP | 1967 | |
| 3 | Hugh Shearer (1923–2004) |
11 April 1967 | 2 March 1972 | 4 years, 326 days | JLP | — | |
| 4 | Michael Manley (1924–1997) |
2 March 1972 | 1 November 1980 | 8 years, 244 days | PNP | 1972 1976 |
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| 5 | Edward Seaga (1930–2019) |
1 November 1980 | 10 February 1989 | 8 years, 101 days | JLP | 1980 1983 |
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| (4) | Michael Manley (1924–1997) |
10 February 1989 | 30 March 1992 | 3 years, 49 days | PNP | 1989 | |
| 6 | P. J. Patterson (born 1935) |
30 March 1992 | 30 March 2006 | 14 years, 0 days | PNP | 1993 1997 2002 |
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| 7 | Portia Simpson-Miller (born 1945) |
30 March 2006 | 11 September 2007 | 1 year, 165 days | PNP | — | |
| 8 | Bruce Golding (born 1947) |
11 September 2007 | 23 October 2011 | 4 years, 42 days | JLP | 2007 | |
| 9 | Andrew Holness (born 1972) |
23 October 2011 | 5 January 2012 | 74 days | JLP | — | |
| (7) | Portia Simpson-Miller (born 1945) |
5 January 2012 | 3 March 2016 | 4 years, 58 days | PNP | 2011 | |
| (9) | Andrew Holness (born 1972) |
3 March 2016 | Incumbent | 9 years, 171 days | JLP | 2016 2020 |
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Timeline of Prime Ministers
This timeline shows when each Prime Minister served. It helps you see how long each person was in office.
More About Jamaica's Government
- History of Jamaica
- Politics of Jamaica
- List of governors of Jamaica
- Governor-General of Jamaica
- List of heads of state of Jamaica
- Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica
