Acknowledgements
Abbreviations

PART 1: THE EARLY YEARS

York View, Hanover
My Early Education
The Mona Moon and the Regional Cradle
The Federal Experiment
My Legal Career
Entering the Fray of Politics
The 1972 Election Campaign
Jamaica’s External Trade Negotiations
Tourism: The New Face
A New International Economic Order
From CARIFTA to CARICOM
The Cuban Relationship
My Parliamentary Constituency
Reflections on the
The Turning Tide
The People’s Forum
Forward Together Again
I Shall Return
An Appointment with Destiny

PART 2: THE PRIME MINISTERIAL YEARS

Taking the Reins
The Government
The New Paradigm
Finance and Economy
A Modern Public Sector and Governance
The National Industrial Policy and the Development Agenda
Education: The Platform for Human Development
Health: A Nation’s Primary Wealth
Land, Housing and the Environment
Social Transformation: The Poverty Strategy
Our Caribbean Village in the Global Space
The Wider Caribbean in Our Hemisphere
The Jamaican Diaspora
The Decade of International Engagement
Global Governance and the New Architectural Framework
Fighting Crime: A Herculean Task
Constitutional Reform, Justice and the Law
Cultural Heritage and Social Renewal
Parliament and the Search for Consensus
Forging My Path
The Curtain Falls

Selected Bibliography
Index of Names
Index of Subjects

PRAISE FOR MY POLITICAL JOURNEY

“Were My Political Journey not memoirs obedient to modesty, an apt title might have been The Best of the Caribbean. For that is what P.J. has been and because of the values, the dreams, the efforts that guided that life, this candid account of them will influence generations of West Indians beyond the present to know that the best is attainable still.”
—Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal, Former Commonwealth Secretary General

“P.J. Patterson’s memoirs reveal a man of integrity, an outstanding organizer and strategist, and a true democrat, committed to promoting consensus. With decades of ministerial service and leadership among non-aligned countries and CARIFTA nations, Patterson is one of Jamaica’s most experienced and skilled politicians. As prime minis- ter, he guided Jamaica through its worst economic crisis, while promoting some of our most significant infrastructural developments of modern times.”
—The Honourable R. Danny Williams

“This is more than an autobiography as it provides invaluable insights, information and, more importantly, the context of the issues that have consumed the attention of Caribbean leaders for the last fifty years. . . . Perhaps the most significant aspect of this memoir is P.J.’s keen sense of the changes that were occurring and the need for new strategies for successful governance and leadership in the age of globalization.”
—The Most Honourable Sir Kenneth Hall, former Governor General of Jamaica

“The volume covers the reflections and experiences of the Most Honourable P.J. Patter- son, as they pertain to the regional and international issues to which he devoted a very substantial part of his career. . . . It is no exaggeration to say that the depth and quality of his involvement with these issues are probably without precedent among the leadership in the CARICOM countries since political independence.”
—Sir Alister McIntyre, former Vice Chancellor, the University of the West Indies

“This book opens a window through which the reader can peer into the past to under- stand what agitated the author’s passion to work with like-minded politicians and pro- gressive members of civil society and the public sector, to redress the inequalities that disfigured Jamaica, especially in the 1960s. . . . Above all, after reading this book, readers will understand why we are such a divided society perpetually at war, despite unification efforts; despite examples from history that unity is vital to bring about fundamental societal changes; despite a shared history of struggle for upliftment from slavery and colonialism and towards black empowerment.”
—Professor Verene A. Shepherd, Professor of Social History, the University of the West Indies, Mona

“A scintillating account of the growth and development of a Caribbean icon who has devoted his life to public service. In delightfully readable prose, P.J. Patterson describes a career watered initially by regionalism that flowed from the fledgling University College of the West Indies at Mona, matured in the hurly burly of national politics and coming to full bloom as a successful politician/prime minister who used his formidable talents for the benefit of his country and the region as a whole. This book is essential reading especially for those, wherever they may be who call the Caribbean space their own.” —Sir George Alleyne, Chancellor Emeritus, the University of the West Indies

“A fascinating memoir. Prime Minister Patterson, as a real statesman, shows how the English-speaking Caribbean became a unique player at the regional arena, enlarging its influence in the Latin American Region, and at the world level.”
—Ricardo Lagos, former President of Chile

“My Political Journey is simply one of the most incisive and elegantly written autobiographies by any political personality from the Americas and the Caribbean. Patterson offers us facts, wisdom and understanding on comprehensive bundles of issues over the past fifty years, which have defined Jamaica, our Caribbean, and their relationships with the rest of the world. His erudition, caring philosophy, humanity and strength of character shine through. My Political Journey is a magnificent testament to the life and work of a Caribbean man of the highest quality.”
—Dr the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines

“For many decades Jamaica stood out in our eyes as an outstanding example of valuable and moving solidarity. This was significantly because of the eminent and principled position which the late Prime Minister Michael Manley took in support of the struggles for the liberation of South Africa and Africa from apartheid and colonialism. We were fortunate that as we entered into the post-apartheid period we could still count on Jamaica to continue to serve as a reliable comrade-in-arms, thanks to the support and wisdom of P.J. Patterson as we grappled with the new challenges at home and abroad which came with our liberation.”
—Thabo Mbeki, former President of South Africa

“My Political Journey tells this important story of the power internationalist solidarity has to change the world. . . . This book provides a universal awareness that integrates free, state and community economic vision which points us in the direction of peace, prosperity and a meaningful life for all of God’s children. Seeing the world through the Jamaican soul allows you to really believe that ‘One Love’ is truly an attainable realty.”
—Ambassador Andrew J. Young, former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mayor of Atlanta

“It is a pity that politics took P.J. Patterson away from his successful exploits as a barrister in our courtrooms, as politics deprived a generation of my colleagues of the oppor- tunity to witness and experience his brilliant legal mind in full flight. . . . This book outlines his many achievements, his challenges and illuminates his selfless service to our nation.”
—Jacqueline Cummings, President of the Jamaican Bar Association