Harding DR. OSWALD Harding, Q.C., Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, is a former Attorney-General in the Jamaica Labour Party Government of the 1980s.
He was first appointed to the Senate in 1977. His contribution has been tremendous, his knowledge vast. His commitment to the task is seen in the level of preparedness he brings to Parliament's Upper House.
Dr. Harding does not back away from a debate. He is not afraid of controversy either. He has in recent times been outspoken on his view that Senators, like Members of Parliament, should be properly compensated for the important functions they perform. He pointed out that Jamaica was the only country in the Commonwealth which did not pay its Senators.
The noted attorney-at-law is the senior partner in the law firm, O.G. Harding and Company. Born in 1935, he attended Kingston College; High School of Montreal; McGill University, Canada; London School of Economics, University of London and Inner Temple.
He joined the Jamaica Foreign Service in 1967 and served as diplomatic officer in London and was Jamaica's first charge d'affaires, at the Jamaican Embassy in Mexico.
He was Deputy Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1963-66; Crown Counsel, Attorney-General's Department 1966-68; First employee of Life of Jamaica Ltd., (LOJ) Secretary and General Counsel, LOJ 1969-80; Tutor, Norman Manley Law School 1975-80, now honorary tutor.
Dr. Harding was first appointed Senator in 1977, President of the Senate 1980 and re-elected in 1983. In 1984 he was appointed Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Minister without portfolio in the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Chairman, National Council on Drug Abuse.
Two years later he was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney-General; Chairman, National Committee for International Year of Peace and Chairman of the Legislative Committee. He was made a Queen's Counsel in 1987; Senator, Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate 1989 and Adviser, Caribbean Law Institute, 1990. He has been a member of the Joint Select Committee of Parliament on the Constitution since 1978.
An Anglican, Dr. Harding has been married to Marigold Yuen since 1966. They have two sons.
