Hartley Neita, Contributor
TODAY, PERCIVAL James Patterson will address the National Executive Council (NEC) of the People's National Party (PNP) for the last time. On previous occasions, he had reported to the delegates on his stewardship and also used the platform to announce general elections. This time it will be to say farewell to men and women, a few of whom he has been working with for 47 years.
Patterson will also be announcing the date on which he will demit office. In doing so, he will also resign as Prime Minister and will have served in this office longer than the heads of any party in Jamaica. Alexander Bustamante only served for three years because of illness. His successor, Donald Sangster, acted as Prime Minister for the two years remaining in Bustamante's term and was Prime Minister for only six weeks - four of which he spent in a coma before he died. Hugh Shearer was Prime Minister for five years. Michael Manley served in this office for eight years in the first instance (1972-80), and then for three years (1989-1992).
THE EARLY YEARS
Patterson began working with the PNP in 1958 as an organiser in western Jamaica. By 1964 he was a member of the National Executive Committee as well as the Executive Committee. Five years later he was elected a vice-president and appointed senator.
One year later, he won a by-election for the South East Westmoreland constituency consequent on the death of Max Carey. He retained this seat in the 1972 and 1976 General Elections. During those eight years, he served as Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
In 1980, he lost his Westmoreland seat to a schoolteacher, Euphemia Williams. His party was also defeated.
He dedicated the following nine years to rebuilding the party at the grass roots. First, he decided not to seek re-election as a vice-president and in 1982, he was elected party chairman in a contest with Paul Burke. He was re-elected for the following six years, despite the persistent, and to many, the niggling attempts by Burke to defeat him.
The PNP defeated the Jamaica Labour Party in 1989, and Patterson returned to office as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development, Planning and Production (1989-90) and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Planning (1990-91). In the latter year, he resigned as a member of the Cabinet.
PATTERSON'S TENURE
Came 1992. Because of ill-health, Michael Manley decided to resign as president of the party and as Prime Minister. Patterson was one of the two candidates for the office of presidency the other being Portia Simpson. As the polls now show, Portia Simpson, now Simpson Miller, was then the national choice to succeed Manley, but was soundly defeated by the party's delegates.
In reflecting on his tenure as Prime Minister, most political observers concede that he has been responsible for reducing political tensions in Jamaica, and promoting unity, harmony and consensus in the political tug-
of-war between the two major political parties. Parliamentary committees, formerly held behind closed doors, became open to the news media and the public. And the number of radio stations was increased and the airwaves opened for public participation without fear of censorship.
It is even felt that he has been the most abused victim resulting from this non-censorship policy.During his term, too, representatives of the news media were invited to post-Cabinet news conferences where ministers made themselves available for questions on decisions taken at these Cabinet meetings.
SOUND MACROECONOMIC
POLICIES
Patterson regards one of his achievements as Prime Minister to be the successful implementation of sound macroeconomic policies which has led to the stabilisation of the economy with the longest period of low inflation, a stable foreign exchange rate which is market determined, and record levels of net international reserves.
The success of the macroeconomic framework allowed his administration to end an 18-year borrowing relationship with the International Monetary Fund and provided the country with the autonomy to pursue a more developmental economic path. It was this autonomy in the discharge of Jamaica's economic affairs which enabled the Patterson-led administration to avert a collapse of the country's financial sector and its attendant social convulsions through decisive action that has earned commendation from the multilateral financial institutions, at a time, too when there was global economic recession and financial meltdown in more resource-rich economies.
His legacy includes the creation of a National Land and Shelter Policy which resulted in the accelerated provision of housing for the people of Jamaica, especially those in the lower-income bracket. He also directed special arrangements for the elderly and low-income earners to benefit from the National Housing Trust by way of a special low-interest rate.
Another of his administration's achievements has been the creation of the National Health Fund and the modernising of the country's social security system which has increased national pension benefits.
There was also the introduction of the Poverty Alleviation Through Health and Education (PATH) Programme. And there was the introduction of the Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme.
AFTER POLITICS
In leaving the public stage, Patterson plans thorough research and moments of review and reflection to record his views and perspectives for the benefit of future generations. He will also be able to enjoy a jazz collection that began to accumulate during his student years at the University of the West Indies.
Unlike recent years when he could only steal an hour or two to enjoy spectator sports, he will be a daily attendant at the Cricket World Cup matches next year.And he will be able to devote more time and love for his son and daughter and his two grandchildren.
