The Right Honourable Percival Noel James Patterson, ON, OCC, OE, KC

1992 - 2006

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Percival Noel James Patterson was born on April 10, 1935, in the parish of Hanover. His formal education began at Somerton Primary School in St. James, after which he acquired the Purscell Trust Scholarship to attend Calabar High School. Following his graduation in 1953, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

The Right Honourable Percival Patterson, ON, OCC, OE, KC. Credit: UWI Pelican Yearbook 1956

Due to a keen interest in Law, Mr. Patterson sought to further his studies at the London School of Economics (LSE), where he was awarded the Leverhulme Scholarship and the Sir Hughes Parry Prize for Excellence in the Law of Contracts. After graduating from the institution in 1963 with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Mr. Patterson was called to the Bar at Middle Temple and later admitted to the Jamaican Bar (NLJ).

Early Political Career and Rise to Leadership

Mr. Patterson’s interest in politics began at UWI, where he co-founded the Political Club. As its President, he found himself in various political spaces with prominent individuals such as Dr. Eric Williams, founder of Trinidad and Tobago’s People’s National Movement and key members of the People’s National Party (PNP). The year 1955 saw him make his first appearance as a speaker in the election campaign for the candidate for Western Hanover, further fueling his passion for politics.

In 1958, Mr. Patterson joined the PNP’s organising staff and completed his early training and service in the parishes of St. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Westmoreland. Over the years, he steadily rose through the party ranks, serving as a member of the National and Executive Councils from 1964 to 1969, Vice President from 1969 to 1982, Chairman from 1983 to 1992, and ultimately Party President in 1992 (NLJ). After building his repertoire within the PNP for a decade, Mr. Patterson then ventured into his Cabinet career with his appointment as Senator and Leader of Opposition Business in 1969-1970.

The Right Honourable Percival Patterson, ON, OCC, OE, at his 1992 swearing-in ceremony. Credit: P. J. Patterson

After becoming a Member of Parliament for South-East Westmoreland in 1970, Mr. Patterson held various ministerial portfolios. These included Minister of Industry and Tourism (1972 – 1977), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (1978 – 1980), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development Planning and Production (1989 - 1990), and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Planning (1990 - 1991) (JIS). Mr. Patterson was appointed Prime Minister in March 1992. He served 14 consecutive years before retiring in March 2006.

Social and Economic Development Contributions

Educational Priority: As Prime Minister, Mr. Patterson prioritised education, allocating the largest share of the national budget to the sector and promoting the integration of Information Technology. He launched the National Commission on Science and Technology in 1993 and linked technological innovation to industrial policy.

Social Growth: Mr. Patterson aimed to improve the quality of life of Jamaica’s most vulnerable groups – the youth and the elderly. Therefore, the National Youth Service programme was reintroduced, along with the creation of the Special Training and Empowerment Programme (STEP) and the introduction of the Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme. As a means of improving housing constraints in Jamaica, his administration created the National Land and Shelter Policy. Additionally, he spearheaded the implementation of the Operation Pride Programme, which aimed to provide more housing and normalise informal settlements in poor communities (NLJ).

The Right Honourable Percival Patterson, ON, OCC, OE, KC. Credit: P. J. Patterson

Economic Growth: One of Mr. Patterson’s greatest economic contributions was ending Jamaica’s 18-year dependency on the International Monetary Fund and regaining fiscal sovereignty. He also contributed to national growth and development by promulgating a National Industrial Policy. As the Minister of Finance and Planning, Mr. Patterson contributed greatly to the Jamaican economy through the modernization of the taxation system by introducing the General Consumption Tax, drafting a New Banking Act, increasing the income tax threshold, modernisation of the annual budget preparation and reduction of stamp duty on raw material imports and capital goods (NJL Profiles). 

Other Noteworthy Achievements

Mr. Patterson made a significant international impact by participating in and leading organisations such as the UN, Commonwealth, CARICOM, and the Group of 77. He played a central role in the creation of the LOME Convention and the transition from CARIFTA to CARICOM. He received several prestigious international awards, including:

• Order of José Martí (Cuba, 1997)

• Order of the Volta (Ghana, 1999)

• FAO Agricola Medal (2001)

• Numerous others from Latin America and the Caribbean

He was also awarded honorary doctorates from Northeastern University and Brown University.