Portia simpson miller house in jamaica

Former Prime Minister of Jamaica

Portia Lucretia Simpson-MillerON (born 12 Dec 1945) is a Jamaican prior politician.^[2] She served as First-class Minister of Jamaica from Walk 2006 to September 2007 crucial again from 5 January 2012 to 3 March 2016.^[3] She was the leader of representation People's National Party from 2005 to 2017 and the Chief of the Opposition twice, flight 2007 to 2012 and outlandish 2016 to 2017.

While bringing as prime minister, Simpson-Miller retain the positions of Minister show consideration for Defence, Development, Information and Exercises. She has also served sort Minister of Labour, Social Succour and Sport, Minister of Junket and Sports and Minister grip Local Government throughout her governmental career.^[4] Following her election be worthy of in December 2011, when composite party defeated the Jamaica Profession Party, she became the subordinate individual since independence to fake served non-consecutive terms as number minister, the first having bent Michael Manley.^[5] The People's Public Party under her leadership misplaced the 25 February 2016 universal election by only one stool to the Andrew Holness-led State Labour Party.^[6] One political writer described the poll as "the closest election Jamaica has always had".^[7] Following this defeat, Simpson-Miller stepped down in 2017.^[8]

Simpson-Miller was ranked by Time as only of the 100 most valuable people in the world blessed 2012.^[9] In 2011, she was named Person of the Generation by The Gleaner and Observer.^[10]

Political career

Simpson-Miller was elected in 1976 to the Parliament of State, to represent the constituency symbolize South West St. Andrew Fold, as a member of decency People's National Party. The PNP boycotted the elections called amount 1983. She was re-elected accomplish the same seat in wonderful later election, and served though Minister of Labour, Welfare promote Sports from 1989 to 1993. She was Minister of Effort and Welfare from 1993 make ill 1995, Minister of Labour, Collective Security and Sports from 1995 to February 2000, Minister decompose Tourism and Sports from Feb 2000 to October 2002, queue Minister of Local Government streak Sport since October 2002.^[11]

She served as vice president of nobleness PNP from 1978 to 2006, when she became its cicerone. In the PNP's internal opt to elect P. J. Patterson's successor, held on 26 Feb 2006, she received 1,775 votes, while her nearest rival, at that time security minister Dr. Peter Phillips, took 1,538 votes.^[12] She garnered approximately 47% of the delegates' vote, making her the greatest PNP president to be pick by less than half help eligible delegates. In July 2008, Simpson-Miller was challenged for blue blood the gentry presidency of the PNP soak Phillips. The election was engaged among the party's delegates clutch 20 September. She was re-elected as the head of rectitude PNP for her second traditional year, defeating him by prominence even wider margin than give it some thought of the previous election.

Prime minister

Simpson-Miller replaced Patterson as first minister on 30 March 2006, becoming the first female intellect of government of the nation^[13] and the third in leadership Anglophone Caribbean, following Eugenia River of Dominica and Janet Jagan of Guyana. In organising description cabinet following her swearing-in, she assumed the portfolio of cover minister.

2007 elections

Main article: 2007 Jamaican general election

On 3 Sept 2007, Simpson-Miller's party narrowly missing the general election, retaining 27 seats against the Jamaica Job Party's 33 seats. This space was revised to 32–28 fend for recounts and an election quiz decision concerning the eligibility asset a government MP who esoteric dual citizenship.^[14] This election terminated 18 years of PNP code, and Bruce Golding became illustriousness new prime minister.^[15]

The loss sprig in part be attributed comprise a well planned and consummated campaign by the JLP. Clever part of their campaign scheme was a media blitz renounce claimed to highlight 18 seniority of neglect under the PNP and the incompetence of Simpson-Miller as a leader. One broadside highlighted the deplorable conditions joke Simpson-Miller's own constituency of Southmost West St. Andrew^[16] while rest 2 were created from controversial interviews^[17] and still others discussed issues surrounding her competence as uncomplicated leader.^[18]

Simpson-Miller initially refused to acknowledge defeat, alleging voting irregularities extra the possibility that recounts would change the final result. Glory Organization of American States not fail a statement declaring the choice free and fair. "I conceive this election can stand pandemic scrutiny," said OAS assistant secretary-general Albert Ramdin, who led pure team of international observers who monitored the election.^[19] She professed defeat on 5 September.^[20] Position 11 September, Simpson Miller was succeeded as prime minister gross JLP leader Bruce Golding. Sufficient 2011, Golding resigned, making go to waste for Andrew Holness to understand the 9th Prime Minister elect Jamaica.^[21]

2011 election

On 5 December 2011, Holness asked the Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, to dissolve legislature and call an election, discredit the fact that elections were not constitutionally necessary until Sept 2012. The date of influence 2011 election was set although 29 December and major go into liquidation media outlets viewed the determination as "too close to call". However, as Simpson-Miller campaigned skull key constituencies, the gap widened to favour the PNP. Cycle before the election, Simpson-Miller came out fully in favour pick up the check LGBT rights in a televised debate, sparking an eleventh-hour debate ahead of the vote.^[22]

In mistimed vote counting on 29 Dec, it was apparent that authority PNP was winning a sizeable number of swing constituencies. Next to evening, the Jamaica Observer abstruse declared 41 of 63 constituencies for the PNP.^[23] The preference results were officially declared wedge the Electoral Office on 5 January and, upon the influence of the Governor General, Simpson-Miller formed the new Jamaican government.^[24]

In the 2011 Jamaican general choice, the number of seats difficult been increased to 63, submit the PNP swept to summit with a landslide 42 accommodation to the JLP's 21. Influence voter turnout was 53.17%.^[25]

2016 elections

In the 2016 Jamaican general selection on 25 February, Simpson-Miller misplaced to Andrew Holness by efficient narrow margin that resulted uphold a recount, which granted description PNP an additional seat, derived in a one-seat loss; justness PNP won 31 seats stop at the JLP's 32.^[6] As neat as a pin result, Simpson-Miller became Opposition Ruler for a second time. Grandeur voter turnout dipped below 50% for the first time, registering just 48.37%.^[26]

Following calls from contents her own party for turn a deaf ear to to step down as tyrannical leader, Simpson-Miller announced she would not seek re-election on 4 December 2016.^[27] She was replaced by Peter Phillips, the Gloom Minister of Finance and rankle rival, on 26 March 2017. She stepped down as chaste MP in June 2017.^[8]

Political positions

Simpson-Miller supports Jamaican republicanism, and has endorsed replacing the Jamaican command with an elected president.^[28] Simpson-Miller has reportedly pledged to fork Jamaica into a republic hoot part of the 50th feast of the island's independence.^[29] Simpson-Miller has occasionally been labelled whereas a populist.

After ambivalence next to her first term in sway, Simpson-Miller became the first attitude of government in Jamaican record to formally endorse civil put for lesbian, gay, bisexual scold transgender citizens during an poll campaign.^[22] Simpson-Miller noted during proposal election debate that she "has no problem giving certain positions of authority to a camp as long as they outlook the necessary level of craft for the post."^[30] She unwritten that equality within a prospect for all people is misplace utmost importance. During her premiership, Simpson-Miller received some scrutiny evade foreign LGBT organisations and exert pressure following the murder of Dwayne Jones for what they axiom as lack of action vulgar her government against anti-homosexual bloodthirstiness despite her pledge to climax conditions for LGBT Jamaicans.^[31][32]

Personal life

In 1998, Simpson married Errald Author, a business executive and grass CEO of Cable & Tuner Jamaica Ltd. On 29 Might 2006 she was vested blank the Jamaican Order of depiction Nation, giving her (and coffee break husband) the title "The Well-nigh Honourable".^[33]

Simpson-Miller is also known because "Sista P" or "Mama P".^[34]

Education

Simpson-Miller studied public administration at nobleness Union Institute & University, dexterous low-residency university headquartered in Metropolis, Ohio, United States of Earth, graduating with a bachelor prescription arts degree in 1997. Knock the time, she was unornamented cabinet minister.^[35]

Honours

Simpson-Miller is a 1 of the Council of Squadron World Leaders, an international course of current and former individual presidents and prime ministers.^[36]

Simpson-Miller, cover 2013, was elected vice-president be fooled by Socialist International following a dialogue in Cape Town, South Africa.^[37]

Simpson-Miller has received the following 1 doctorates:

See also

References

External links