The longest-serving Prime Minister in Jamaica's history, Percival Noel James Patterson served from 1992 to 2006 when he handed over the reins.

After graduating from the University of the West Indies, he joined the PNP's organising staff. His early training and service were in St. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Westmoreland.

He was elected as vice-president of the PNP in 1969 and served as Party Chairman from 1983. During his time as Deputy Prime Minister, he also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Development, Planning and Production as well as Finance and Planning.

Among his achievements as Prime Minister was the re-introduction of the National Youth Service, the creation of the Special Training and Empowerment Programme (STEP) and the introduction of the Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme.

His presence was also felt regionally, being one of the principal participants in the evolution of the Caribbean Free Trade Area into CARICOM. He was one of the leading architects of the LOME Conventionbetween the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states and the European Union which was first signed in 1975.

Sources: www.jis.gov.jm and www.nlj.org.jm.

Facts:

He was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1963, and later that year admitted to the Bar in Jamaica.

His first Cabinet post was that of Minister of Tourism (1972).

His father Henry Patterson was a farmer, and his mother Ina James was a primary school teacher.

P.J. Patterson began political activity at the UWI where he was one of the founders of the Political Club.

As president of the UWI Political Club, he presided at the first political address given in the Caribbean by the late Dr. Eric Williams of Trinidad and Tobago.

- Daviot Kelly