#JamaicaElection2020 Part 2: Most Honorable BroGad Andrew Holness

Andrew Michael Holness was born on 22 July 1972, which means he is 48 years old as of today. He is also the youngest person to have elected and re-elected prime minister in Jamaica’s history; he was even the only prime minister born after independence.    

He entered representational politics in 1997 as the Member of Parliament for West Central St. Andrew, ironically the neighboring constituency to  Dr. Peter Phillips. Before winning in 1997, he was a personal disciple of then Opposition Leader Edward Seaga.

He served as Opposition Spokesperson for Land and Development(1999-2002), Housing (2002-2005), and Education (2005-2007). After the JLP general election victory, he became the Minister of Education (2007-2012). In 2011 after the Tivoli Gardens incursion and the Manatt Phelps and Phillips, the politically hurt PM Bruce Golding resigned as Prime Minister and  Party Leader of JLP. In what was thought to be a runoff for party leader, the three other candidates withdrew, making Andrew Holness the fourth party leader of the JLP.  After becoming Party Leader, he was also sworn in as Prime Minister in October 2011. 

Overseeing a derailed IMF program and what was an economy that seemed as it was coming to a screeching halt, in his naivety he called an early election, the JLP lost the election by a 2:1 majority from the Portia Simpson Miller lead PNP. Andrew Holness became the Opposition leader in January 2012. Losing traction among some party supports, his leadership was challenged by Man a Yaad Audley Shaw, similar to his PNP counterpart Andrew Holness won. Still, the difference was he had a much more considerable margin. It also gave him the pressure that he needed to redefine himself as a leader and Prime Ministerial hopeful.

In 2016, he led what was the most targeted campaign in modern history, appealing to a younger generation unencumbered by the fanfare or Michael Manley era and looking for a new style of politics, much to everyone’s surprise the JLP assumed government in February 2016.

What is important to note is that in the three elections, we see different Andrew Holness. 

In 2011, we saw a PM  who ascended to the role with not much political capital backing him, no experience in anything other than the education ministry, and an evident lack of charisma. It showed that he simply was not ready for the job yet. In 2016 we saw a man who rebranded himself as not just Edward Seaga’s protege or Baby Bruce but the Jamaican Dream. A man born to working-class parents and lived in a single-parent household in Spanish Town. A man didn’t go to a “prominent” high school and was educated locally, a man who before he became a politician was a delinquent student loan borrower, now a PM hopeful. 

And in 2020, what we see is the PM who earlier seemed removed from charisma now affectionately called “Brogad,” short for the “Most Honourable Brogad.” A PM who is active on social media, who breaks things down for the average man to understand, and someone who genuinely appears to have the best interest of all Jamaicans at heart. Someone who has steered the country along an economic recovery path, appointing   Dr. Nigel Clarke as his right-hand man to oversee our journey to Economic Independence. And during a global pandemic with his trusted Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaican has led the world from the front in the fight against COVID-19 while trying to keep the economy afloat. 

Most recently, he took a jab against the stewardship of Michael Manley, whose democratic socialist regime saw the most rapid redistribution of wealth in Jamaica’s history. Holness said the “misadventure of the PNP, which diverted us from the path of economic growth, selling the people of Jamaica false hope and unrealistic dreams,” wasted the gains made by the post-Independence JLP administration, which it succeeded. 

As an economist, he does have a point, Michael Manley himself said that I was wrong to do it how I did. The plans were not all bad as we have reaped much of the benefits; however, Manley failed to put in the correct structures to ensure the success of his economic-based programs. He also aligned himself and Jamaica against the US, which we have paid dearly for since the 1970s. 

What others may not see clearly is that Andrew Holness is probably the Prime Minister, most like Michael Manley. He is described as Populist, probably not as charismatic as Manly but has a magnetic character, further fueled by his relatability. 

PM  Holness, however, does not go into the 2020 election squeaky clean, as his administration has been rocked by scandals throughout the period. What I will say about this is that as an Executive Manager, he has maneuvered himself well in how he dealt with the issues when they arise. The two ministers related to the major scandals have resigned, and due process has ensued. Where cases of impropriety have occurred, further investigation has been done. What this means is that the proper structures are now in place than we in previous administrations to now detect acts of corruption and impropriety.  

If the JLP wants to win the next election, they must show how they plan to recover the economy,  how they will deliver on some of their previous promises, and reduce social inequality. PM Holness represents the microcosm of modern Jamaica, let us see if he capitalizes on this.