The Most Honourable Michael Norman Manley, ON, OM, OCC
- tcollins66
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 14
1972 – 1980 and 1989 – 1992
The Most Honourable Michael Norman Manley was born on December 10, 1924, to his parents, Norman Washington Manley and his wife Edna Manley. His early childhood education began in Kingston at the St. Andrew Kindergarten School, after which he attended Munro and Dickenson College.
Early Career and Rise to Political Leadership
Mr. Michael Manley left Jamaica in September 1943 to pursue further education at McGill University in Canada. However, within a fortnight of his arrival, he volunteered to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. After his service in the Air Force, he returned to Jamaica and began working at the Public Opinion newspaper, kick-starting his career in journalism. That same year, Mr. Manley left Jamaica again to complete his bachelor's and postgraduate degrees at the London School of Economics in the UK. There, he continued his career in journalism working with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
It is said that Mr. Manley became actively involved in politics during his years as a student in London, where he started as a student organiser and founding member of the West Indies Students’ Union. Nonetheless, he returned to Jamaica as the Associate Editor of the Public Opinion in 1952. He was later immersed in local politics when he was elected to the National Executive Council of the People’s National Party (PNP). This council was founded by his father, Norman Manley, a former Premier of Jamaica. Mr. Manley also began managing negotiations on behalf of the National Workers’ Union (NWU), an affiliate of the PNP.
Mr. Manley’s involvement in trade union and political activities increased even while he was still working with the Public Opinion. In August of 1953, he accepted the post of Sugar Supervisor for the NWU. Within two years of serving in this capacity, he was made the Island Supervisor and First Vice-President of the Union. Mr. Manley is often remembered for the 97-day strike he led at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) in 1964, following the dismissal of two journalists, an action which he believed to be arbitrary and unjust.
Mr. Manley later became the leader of the PNP, following his father’s resignation in 1970. He reorganised the party in 1972, embarking on an election campaign marked by the slogan 'Better Must Come' for the general elections of that year. His party won the elections, and he was sworn in as the nation’s 4th Prime Minister on March 2nd. Social and Economic Contributions
Social Reform: Reportedly, a political shift occurred after the Manley-led administration declared that its ideological platform would be Democratic Socialism.
This led to social and economic reforms such as the Minimum Wage Law, compulsory recognition of labour unions, paid maternity leave for women, and the Children’s Act (more commonly known as the Bastard Act), which granted equal status to children born to unwed as well as married parents. Additionally, the Manley administration is credited with introducing equal pay for women.
Education and Literacy Movements: Free secondary education from Nursery to University level was also introduced under his administration, along with other education-related initiatives, such as the Jamaica Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL) and the Basic School Development Programmes.
International & Regional Reform: Mr. Manley was also engaged in the work of various regional and international bodies such as UNESCO and the EEC on matters pertaining, inter alia, to education and Caribbean tourism. He received several high honours for his contributions as an integrationist, trade unionist, and advocate for social reform, specifically the Order of Merit of Jamaica, the United Nations Gold Medal for his advocacy against apartheid, and the Joliot Curie Peace Award of the World Peace Council.
Mr. Manley also received a United Nations Gold Medal (1978) for significant contribution in the co-operation with the United Nations and solidarity with the South African Liberation Movement in the international campaign against Apartheid. Further demonstrating that his drive for economic and social reform extended beyond Jamaica's borders.
Research and Publication: Mr. Manley wrote six books between 1973 and 1988, focusing broadly on his political interests and involvement over the years, except for A History of West Indian Cricket, published in 1988, which highlights his passion for sports.
Other Noteworthy Achievements or Contributions
Mr. Michael Manley received several other awards and recognitions for his significant contributions to Jamaica. He received the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC) award from CARICOM for his outstanding contribution to the Caribbean as a political leader and social reformer.
Prime Minister Manley also received the following awards and honours:
Honorary Doctor of Laws, Morehouse College in Atlanta (1973)
Order of the Liberator, Venezuela (1973)
Order of the Mexican Eagle (1973)
Order of Jose Marti, Cuba (1976)
Joliot-Curie Peace Award of the World Peace Council (1979) for contribution to the struggle of the Jamaican people and all people of the non-aligned world fighting for economic independence.
Appointed to the Queen’s Privy Council (1989)
Honorary Doctor of Letters, Claremont University, California (1989)
Conferred the Order of Merit of Jamaica (1992) for distinguished service in the field of international affairs
Carlton Alexander Memorial Award (1992) for contribution and service in politics
In 1985, Mr. Manley faced varied health issues that eventually led to his retirement from active politics in 1992. He sadly passed away on the 10th of March in 1997.