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{{short description|Jamaican politician (born 1972)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2024}}
{{Use Jamaican English|date=March 2012}}
{{Use Jamaican English|date=March 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[The Most Honourable]]
| honorific-prefix = [[The Most Honourable]]
| name = Andrew Holness
| name = Andrew Holness
| honorific-suffix = [[Order of the Nation|ON]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]]
| honorific-suffix = [[Order of the Nation|ON]] [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|PC]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]]
| image = Andrew Holness cropped.jpg
| image = Andrew Holness Press (cropped) 2.jpg
| office = 9th [[Prime Minister of Jamaica]]
| office = 9th [[Prime Minister of Jamaica]]
| monarch = [[Elizabeth II]]
| monarch = [[Elizabeth II]]<br>[[Charles III]]
| 1blankname = {{nowrap|Governor General}}
| 1blankname = {{nowrap|Governor-General}}
| 1namedata = [[Patrick Allen (politician)|Patrick Allen]]
| 1namedata = Sir [[Patrick Allen (politician)|Patrick Allen]]
| deputy = [[Horace Chang]]
| term_start = 3 March 2016
| term_start = 3 March 2016
| term_end =
| term_end =
| predecessor = [[Portia Simpson-Miller]]
| predecessor = [[Portia Simpson-Miller]]
| successor =
| successor =
| monarch1 = [[Elizabeth II]]
| office2 = [[Leader of the Opposition (Jamaica)|Leader of the Opposition]]
| 1blankname1 = {{nowrap|Governor General}}
| primeminister2 = [[Portia Simpson-Miller]]
| 1namedata1 = [[Patrick Allen (politician)|Patrick Allen]]
| term_start2 = 5 January 2012
| term_start1 = 23 October 2011
| term_end2 = 3 March 2016
| term_end1 = 5 January 2012
| predecessor2 = Portia Simpson-Miller
| predecessor1 = [[Bruce Golding]]
| successor1 = [[Portia Simpson-Miller]]
| successor2 = Portia Simpson-Miller
| office2 = Leader of the [[Jamaica Labour Party]]
| monarch1 = [[Elizabeth II]]
| 1blankname1 = {{nowrap|Governor-General}}
| term_start2 = 20 November 2011
| 1namedata1 = Sir [[Patrick Allen (politician)|Patrick Allen]]
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 = [[Bruce Golding]]
| deputy1 = [[Kenneth Baugh]]
| term_start1 = 23 October 2011
| successor2 =
| term_end1 = 5 January 2012
| office3 = Minister of Education
| primeminister3 = [[Bruce Golding]]<br />Himself
| predecessor1 = [[Bruce Golding]]
| successor1 = [[Portia Simpson-Miller]]
| term_start3 = 11 September 2007
| office3 = Leader of the [[Jamaica Labour Party]]
| term_end3 = 1 January 2012
| term_start3 = 20 November 2011
| predecessor3 = Maxine Henry-Wilson
| term_end3 =
| successor3 = Ronald Thwaites
| predecessor3 = [[Bruce Golding]]
| birth_name = Andrew Michael Holness
| successor3 =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|7|22|df=y}}
| office4 = Minister of Education
| birth_place = [[Spanish Town]], [[Jamaica]]
| primeminister4 = [[Bruce Golding]]<br />Himself
| death_date =
| term_start4 = 11 September 2007
| death_place =
| term_end4 = 1 January 2012
| party = [[Jamaica Labour Party]]
| predecessor4 = [[Maxine Henry-Wilson]]
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Juliet Holness|Juliet Landell]]|1997}}
| successor4 = [[Ronald Thwaites]]
| children = 2
| birth_name = Andrew Michael Holness
| alma_mater = [[University of the West Indies]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|7|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Spanish Town]], [[Saint Catherine Parish|St. Catherine]], Jamaica
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [[Jamaica Labour Party|Jamaica Labour]]
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Juliet Holness|Juliet Landell]]|1997}}
| children = 2
| education = [[St. Catherine High School]]
| alma_mater = [[University of the West Indies|University of the West Indies, Mona]] (BSc, MSc)<br>[[Northeastern University]] (DLP)
| caption = Holness in 2020
}}
}}


'''Andrew Michael Holness''', {{postnominals|country=JAM|list=[[Order of the Nation|ON]] [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|PC]]}} (born 22 July 1972) is a Jamaican politician who has served as [[Prime Minister of Jamaica]] since 3 March 2016, having previously served from 2011 to 2012, and as Leader of the [[Jamaica Labour Party]] (JLP) since 2011.
'''Andrew Michael Holness''', [[Order of the Nation|ON]], [[Member of Parliament|MP]] (born 22 July 1972) is a Jamaican politician who has been the [[Prime Minister of Jamaica]] since 3 March 2016, following the [[2016 Jamaican general election]].<ref>[http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20160303/holness-sworn-pm-takes-most-honourable-title Holness Sworn In As PM, Takes 'The Most Honourable' Title]. 3 March 2016. Accessed 3 March 2016.</ref> Holness previously served as prime minister from October 2011 to January 5, 2012. He succeeded [[Bruce Golding]] as prime minister, and decided to go to the polls in the [[2011 Jamaican general election|29 December 2011 general election]] in an attempt to get his own mandate from the Jamaican electorate. He failed in that bid, however, losing to the [[People's National Party]] led by [[Portia Simpson-Miller]], with the PNP gaining 42 seats to the [[Jamaica Labour Party]]'s 21. Following that defeat, Holness served as [[Leader of the Opposition (Jamaica)|Leader of the Opposition]] from January 2012 to March 2016, when he once again assumed the position of prime minister.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120106/lead/lead1.html |title=Journey Begins - Portia Sworn In|accessdate=6 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107000320/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120106/lead/lead1.html |archivedate=7 January 2012 }}</ref>On September 3, 2020, Holness claim his second victory as the prime minister of jamaica, bringing his party into a "landslide victory" , with Jamaica Labour Party gaining 49 seats to the People's National Party 14 seats.


Holness previously served as prime minister from 23 October 2011 to 5 January 2012. He succeeded [[Bruce Golding]] as prime minister and decided to go to the polls in the [[2011 Jamaican general election|29 December 2011 general election]] in an attempt to get his own mandate from the Jamaican electorate. He failed in that bid, however, losing to the [[People's National Party]] led by [[Portia Simpson-Miller]], with the PNP gaining 42 seats to the JLP's 21. Following that defeat, Holness served as [[Leader of the Opposition (Jamaica)|Leader of the Opposition]] from January 2012 to March 2016, when he once again assumed the position of prime minister.<ref>{{cite web |title=Journey Begins - Portia Sworn In |url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120106/lead/lead1.html |url-status=dead |access-date=6 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107000320/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120106/lead/lead1.html |archive-date=7 January 2012}}</ref> In 2020, the Labour Party won a landslide in another general election, and on 7 September Holness was sworn in for another term as prime minister.<ref>{{cite web |title=Holness to be sworn in as prime minister on Monday afternoon |url=http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/holness-be-sworn-prime-minister-monday-afternoon |website=www.loopjamaica.com |access-date=12 September 2020 |archive-date=10 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910044848/http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/holness-be-sworn-prime-minister-monday-afternoon |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Holness is the youngest person to have been elected and reelected prime minister in Jamaica's history. Moreover, he is Jamaica's 9th prime minister overall. He is also the first prime minister to have been born after [[Independence of Jamaica|Jamaica gained independence]] in 1962.<ref name=jamaicaob>{{cite news|first=Claude|last=Robinson|title=When Andrew Holness becomes prime minister today|url=http://m.jamaicaobserver.com/mobile/columns/When-Andrew-Holness-becomes-prime-minister-today---_9979830|work=[[Jamaica Observer]]|publisher=|date=23 October 2011|accessdate=2011-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407064018/http://m.jamaicaobserver.com/mobile/columns/When-Andrew-Holness-becomes-prime-minister-today---_9979830|archive-date=7 April 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


In October 2011, at the age of 39, Holness became the youngest person ever to be prime minister in Jamaica's history. In March 2016, aged 43, he became the youngest to ever be elected prime minister. He is also the first prime minister to have been born after [[Independence of Jamaica|Jamaica gained independence]] in 1962. He is currently the longest serving prime minister from the Jamaica Labour Party.<ref name="jamaicaob">{{cite news|first=Claude|last=Robinson|title=When Andrew Holness becomes prime minister today|url=http://m.jamaicaobserver.com/mobile/columns/When-Andrew-Holness-becomes-prime-minister-today---_9979830|work=[[Jamaica Observer]]|date=23 October 2011|access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407064018/http://m.jamaicaobserver.com/mobile/columns/When-Andrew-Holness-becomes-prime-minister-today---_9979830|archive-date=7 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Early life==
Andrew Holness is a graduate of [[St. Catherine High School]] and of the [[University of the West Indies]], where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies and a Master of Science in Development Studies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opm.gov.jm/node/1565 |accessdate=10 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108221315/http://www.opm.gov.jm/node/1565 |title=The Honourable Andrew Holness|archivedate=8 November 2011 }}</ref> In 1997 he married Juliet Holness (''née'' Landell), an accountant, whom he had met as a student at St. Catherine High School during the 1980s.<ref name=jobserver>{{cite news|first=Donna|last=Husey-Whyte |title=The PM’s wife Juliet Holness speaks of life, love and family|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/The-PM-s-wife |work=[[Jamaica Observer]] |date=2011-11-13 |accessdate=2015-08-09}}</ref><ref name=jgleaner>{{cite news|first=Barbara|last=Ellington |title=Juliet Holness; Jamaica is safe in Andrew's hands|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20111120/out/out1.html |work=[[Gleaner Company|The Gleaner]] |date=2011-11-20 |accessdate=2015-08-09}}</ref> The couple have two children, Adam and Matthew.<ref name=JISHolness>{{cite web |title=Mr. Andrew Michael Holness, M.P. Opposition Leader |url=http://jis.gov.jm/profiles/andrew-michael-holness |website=Jamaica Information Service |accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
Holness served as Executive Director at the Voluntary Organization for Uplifting Children from 1994 to 1996 and then joined the Premium Group of Companies, acting as a special assistant to [[Edward Seaga]].
In 1997, Holness described his father as "a thinker and an academic socialist" and his mother as "pragmatic and frugal."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=8 December 1997 |title=Andrew Holness - youngest man in the polls |work=The Daily Gleaner |pages=40}}</ref> He grew up in Ensom City, [[Spanish Town]], and attended [[St. Catherine High School]]. At school, he was a noted debater and became [[Head girl and head boy|head boy]] and [[valedictorian]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 October 2011 |title=The Andrew Holness I went to school with … |url=https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2011/10/08/the-andrew-holness-i-went-to-school-with-20231115-0819-232412/ |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Jamaica Observer}}</ref> After graduating, he taught at the school for a year, and at the age of 19 he began his undergraduate studies at the [[University of the West Indies|University of the West Indies, Mona]], and later graduated with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[Management|management studies]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=29 December 1997 |title=JLP gets another seat |work=The Daily Gleaner |pages=1}}</ref>


After completing his degree, Holness worked as executive director of the Voluntary Organization for Uplifting Children (VOUCH) from 1994 to 1996. It was there that he met [[Edward Seaga]], at that time the leader of the [[Jamaica Labour Party]] (JLP). During his time at VOUCH, Holness completed a [[Master of Science|Master of Science (MSc)]] degree in [[development studies]] at the University of the West Indies.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Poyser |first=Andre |date=2 March 2016 |title=Andrew Holness The Protege: Former Prime Minister, Edward Seaga Reflects on Holness's Journey to Jamaica House |url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20160304/andrew-holness-protege-former-prime-minister-edward-seaga-reflects |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=The Daily Gleaner}}</ref> Holness joined the Premium Group of Companies, led by Seaga, and worked as his special assistant and financial manager.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 October 1997 |title=JLP Candidate |work=The Daily Gleaner |pages=10}}</ref>
He is a member of the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/politics/andrew-holness-sworn-in-as-jamaica%E2%80%99s-new-prime-minister/ |title=Andrew Holness ‘sworn-in’ as Jamaica’s new Prime Minister – Dominica News Online |website=Dominicanewsonline.com |date=2011-10-24 |accessdate=2016-03-02}}</ref>

In 2024, Holness completed a [[Doctor of Law|doctor of law and policy]] degree at [[Northeastern University]] in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], a type of [[Doctorate#Professional doctorate|professional doctorate]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=College of Professional Studies: Law and Policy |url=https://graduate.northeastern.edu/program/doctor-of-law-and-policy-boston-14421/ |access-date=19 September 2024 |website=Northeastern University Graduate Studies}}</ref> His thesis focused on the impact of American gun laws on violence in Jamaican society.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McLeod |first=Sheri-kae |date=12 September 2024 |title=Jamaica’s PM Andrew Holness earns PhD in Law and Policy |url=https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/news/jamaica-pm-andrew-holness-earns-phd/ |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Caribbean National Weekly}}</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
Holness joined the [[Jamaica Labour Party]] (JLP) in 1992, and became actively involved from 1993, while a student at the University of the West Indies. Holness was first elected to the Jamaican parliament in the [[1997 Jamaican general election|1997 general election]] as the member of parliament for [[Saint Andrew West Central (Jamaica Parliament constituency)|Saint Andrew West Central]], representing the JLP.
In 1997 he became Member of Parliament for West Central St. Andrew and served as Opposition Spokesperson on Land and Development from 1999 to 2002. In 2002 he switched portfolio to Housing and then Education in 2005. He was sworn in as Minister of Education in September 2007.

The election in the constituency was, principally, between Holness and Warren Blake, representing the [[People's National Party]] (PNP). The initial result was very close, although by the end Holness was declared the victor. The PNP lodged allegations of tampering with the Constituted Authority, part of the electoral regulation system in Jamaica.<ref name=":1" /> Holness was sworn in as member of parliament on 24 February 1998, delayed by a magisterial recount. On 5 March 1998, he lost the seat, as the Election Court had ordered a re-election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 March 1998 |title=March 26 for re-election |work=The Daily Gleaner |pages=1}}</ref> In April, Blake won the re-election, but due to irregularities in a group of four polling stations at Taylor Basic School, the JLP lodged allegations with the Constituted Authority, who agreed to run a re-election in those polling stations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 April 1998 |title=Re-election of the re-election? |work=The Daily Gleaner |pages=1}}</ref> In the ensuing re-election, Holness won, and he was sworn in a second time as MP in July 1998.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 July 1998 |title=Holness wins, again! |work=The Daily Gleaner |pages=1}}</ref>

After his election, [[Morris Cargill]] commented: "I am glad that Andrew Holness won, not out of any narrow political bias, but because it would be good for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to have a new young man in its ranks."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cargill |first=Morris |date=12 July 1998 |title=Settling troubles in Guyana |work=The Daily Gleaner |pages=17}}</ref> Shortly after entering the house, Holness was appointed as the opposition spokesperson on land, development, and housing, and he became a member of the economy and production and infrastructure and physical development committees.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Edwards |first=Claudienne |date=24 June 1998 |title='LIFF accounts problematic' - Douglas |work=The Daily Gleaner |pages=8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wint |first=Carl |date=9 July 1998 |title=House passes Investment Fund Act |work=The Daily Gleaner |pages=14}}</ref>

In 1997, he became a member of parliament for West Central St. Andrew and served as Opposition Spokesperson on Land and Development from 1999 to 2002. In 2002, he switched portfolio to Housing and then Education in 2005.

=== Minister of Education ===
Holness became Minister of Education in the cabinet of [[Bruce Golding]] in 2007.


===Prime minister of Jamaica ===
=== Prime Minister of Jamaica ===
He succeeded [[Bruce Golding]] as both leader of the Jamaica Labour Party and prime minister on 23 October 2011, making him the ninth person to hold this office. As prime minister, he chose to retain the education portfolio.
He succeeded [[Bruce Golding]] as both leader of the JLP and prime minister on 23 October 2011, making him the ninth person to hold the office. As prime minister, he chose to retain the education portfolio. In February 2023, a commission cleared him of corruption allegations of which he was accused.<ref>{{cite news | title=Jamaica PM will not face corruption charges - watchdog |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/jamaica-pm-will-not-face-corruption-charges-despite-evidence-2023-02-16/ |access-date=17 February 2023 |work=Reuters |date=16 February 2023}}</ref>


===2011 elections===
===2011 elections===
{{main|2011 Jamaican general election}}
On 5 December 2011, Mr Holness called the next election for 29 December 2011. The JLP campaigned in their strongholds and Holness highlighted the four years of JLP government with accomplishments, such as economic growth and crime reduction which the JLP says the PNP failed to do during their eighteen years rule of the country. The JLP, however, lost at the polls to the People's National Party, which gained a large majority of 42 to the JLP's 21 parliamentary seats.
On 5 December 2011, Holness called an election set for 29 December 2011. The JLP campaigned in its strongholds, and Holness highlighted the accomplishments during the four years of JLP government, such as economic growth and crime reduction, which the JLP said the PNP failed to do during its own eighteen years' rule of the country.


The JLP, however, lost the election to the PNP, which gained a large majority of 42 to the JLP's 21 parliamentary seats. [[Portia Simpson-Miller]] and the PNP returned to power. The voter turnout was 53.17%.<ref>''Caribbean Elections: Jamaican Election Centre'', "Jamaican general election results 29 December 2011" http://www.caribbeanelections.com/jm/elections/jm_results_2011.asp {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208122455/http://www.caribbeanelections.com/jm/elections/jm_results_2011.asp |date=8 December 2020 }} Retrieved 24 December 2020.</ref>
===2016 elections and prime minister again===
On 25 February 2016, the Jamaica Labour Party, headed by Andrew Holness, won the national elections with the JLP winning 32 seats compared to 31 seats for the incumbent [[People's National Party]]. His wife Juliet also won a seat in parliament, the first time a prime minister or opposition leader and his or her spouse will be sitting in the [[Parliament of Jamaica]] together.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Juliet-joins-husband-Andrew-in-Parliament_52914 |title=Juliet joins husband Andrew in Parliament - News |website=JamaicaObserver.com |date=2016-02-26 |accessdate=2016-03-02}}</ref>


===2016 elections and re-appointment as Prime Minister===
{{main|2016 Jamaican general election}}
On 25 February 2016, the JLP won the [[2016 Jamaican general election|2016 election]] winning 32 seats compared to 31 seats for the incumbent PNP. His wife Juliet also won a seat in parliament, the first time a prime minister or opposition leader and their spouse sat simultaneously in the [[Parliament of Jamaica]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Juliet-joins-husband-Andrew-in-Parliament_52914 |title=Juliet joins husband Andrew in Parliament - News |website=JamaicaObserver.com |date=26 February 2016 |access-date=2 March 2016 |archive-date=1 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301095436/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Juliet-joins-husband-Andrew-in-Parliament_52914 |url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, Simpson-Miller became Opposition Leader for a second time. The voter turnout dipped below 50% for the first time, registering just 48.37%.<ref>''Caribbean Elections: Jamaican Election Centre'', "Jamaican general election results 25 February 2016" http://www.caribbeanelections.com/jm/elections/jm_results_2016.asp {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731030013/http://www.caribbeanelections.com/jm/elections/jm_results_2016.asp |date=31 July 2020 }} Retrieved 24 December 2020.</ref>


=== 2020 elections ===
{{main|2020 Jamaican general election}}
On 3 September 2020, Holness led the JLP to a second consecutive general election victory, but this time by a much larger margin. The JLP won 49 seats, as compared to the 14 seats for the PNP. However, the turnout was just 37%, probably affected by the coronavirus pandemic. With this victory, he became the youngest person in Jamaica's history to be elected twice.<ref>{{cite web|last=Charles|first=Jacqueline|date=3 September 2020|title=Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Jamaica Labor Party retain power in 'tsunami victory'|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article245460120.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905085502/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article245460120.html|archive-date=5 September 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|website=Miami Herald}}</ref> He was sworn in for another term on 7 September 2020.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 September 2020 |title=Swearing in ceremony for Holness set for Monday |url=http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20200905/swearing-ceremony-holness-set-monday |access-date=8 September 2020 |website=jamaica-star.com |archive-date=6 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906155408/http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20200905/swearing-ceremony-holness-set-monday |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Holness to be sworn in as prime minister on Monday afternoon|url=http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/holness-be-sworn-prime-minister-monday-afternoon|access-date=9 September 2020|website=www.loopjamaica.com|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910044848/http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/holness-be-sworn-prime-minister-monday-afternoon|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=7 September 2020|title=WATCH: Holness sworn in as prime minister for a third time|url=https://www.loopjamaica.com/content/watch-holness-sworn-prime-minister-third-time|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910044647/https://www.loopjamaica.com/content/watch-holness-sworn-prime-minister-third-time|archive-date=10 September 2020|access-date=8 September 2020|website=Loop News Jamaica}}</ref>


=== Republicanism ===
2020 Election and still prime minister
During the [[William, Prince of Wales|Duke]] and [[Catherine, Princess of Wales|Duchess of Cambridge]]'s tour of Jamaica in March 2022, on behalf of the [[Monarchy of Jamaica|Jamaican monarch]],<ref>{{citation |title=Full Text—Prince William expresses profound sorrow for slavery |url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20220323/full-text-prince-william-expresses-profound-sorrow-slavery |newspaper=The Gleaner |date=23 March 2022 |access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> Queen [[Elizabeth II]], and as part of [[Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II|the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of her accession]], Holness told the royal couple that their nation was "moving on and we intend to attain in short order our development goals and fulfil our true ambitions as an independent, developed, prosperous country".<ref name=guardian>{{cite web |last1=Gentleman |first1=Amelia |last2=Wolfe-Robinson |first2=Maya |last3=Chappell |first3=Kate |title=Jamaica's PM tells Kate and William his country is 'moving on' |url=https://theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/23/jamaicas-pm-tells-kate-and-william-his-country-is-moving-on |work=The Guardian |date=23 March 2022 |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
This was classified to be one of the most exciting experience in Jamaica. Many people were encouraged to vote , even during the covid season. Based on the result the people spoke and stated that the country needed consistent leadership during covid. Hence he was elected again. His party, the Jamaica Labour Party won the election in a landslide, winning 49 of the 63 available seats.
In 1997 he married [[Juliet Holness]] (''née'' Landell), an accountant, whom he had met as a student at St. Catherine High School during the 1980s.<ref name="jobserver">{{cite news |last=Husey-Whyte |first=Donna |date=13 November 2011 |title=The PM's wife Juliet Holness speaks of life, love and family |url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/The-PM-s-wife |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125004840/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/The-PM-s-wife |archive-date=25 January 2016 |access-date=9 August 2015 |work=[[Jamaica Observer]]}}</ref><ref name="jgleaner">{{cite news |last=Ellington |first=Barbara |date=20 November 2011 |title=Juliet Holness; Jamaica is safe in Andrew's hands |url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20111120/out/out1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202180029/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20111120/out/out1.html |archive-date=2 December 2015 |access-date=9 August 2015 |work=[[Gleaner Company|The Gleaner]]}}</ref> The couple have two children, Adam and Matthew.<ref name="JISHolness">{{cite web |title=Mr. Andrew Michael Holness, M.P. Opposition Leader |url=http://jis.gov.jm/profiles/andrew-michael-holness |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064443/http://jis.gov.jm/profiles/andrew-michael-holness/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=8 January 2016 |website=Jamaica Information Service}}</ref>


He is a member of the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]].<ref>{{cite web |date=24 October 2011 |title=Andrew Holness 'sworn-in' as Jamaica's new Prime Minister – Dominica News Online |url=http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/politics/andrew-holness-sworn-in-as-jamaica%E2%80%99s-new-prime-minister/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311021218/http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/politics/andrew-holness-sworn-in-as-jamaica%e2%80%99s-new-prime-minister/ |archive-date=11 March 2016 |access-date=2 March 2016 |website=Dominicanewsonline.com}}</ref>[[File:Secretary_Blinken_Meets_with_Jamaican_Prime_Minister_Holness_%2851975508813%29.jpg|thumb|Andrew Holness
People realised that the country needed consistent leadership during covid. Hence he was elected again. His party, the Jamaica Labour Party won the election in a landslide, winning 49 of the 63 available seats.
meeting with [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Antony Blinken]] on 1 April 2022]]

==Honours==

===National honours===
*{{flag|Jamaica}}:
**[[File:Order of the Nation.gif|70px]] Member of the [[Order of the Nation]]<ref>[https://iamajamaican.net/news/2016/03/andrew-holness-appointed-prime-minister/ Andrew Holness appointed Prime Minister]</ref>

===Foreign honours===
*{{flag|Dominican Republic}}:
**[[File:DOM Order of Merit of Duarte, Sanchez and Mella ribbon.svg|70px]] Grand Cross with Gold Breast Star of the [[Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella]]<ref>[https://visionnewspaper.ca/pm-holness-dominican-republic-president-conferred-national-honours/ PM Holness and Dominican Republic President conferred national honours]</ref>
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}:
** 26 May 2021: [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Member of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council]] (PC)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-05-26-List-of-Business-2.pdf |title=ORDERS APPROVED AND BUSINESS TRANSACTED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT WINDSOR CASTLE ON 26TH MAY 2021 |last=Tilbrook |first=Richard |date=26 May 2021 |website=The Privy Council Office |access-date=24 January 2024 }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Cabinet of Jamaica]]
* [[Cabinet of Jamaica]]
{{Portal bar|Biography|Christianity|Politics}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Andrew Holness}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090611114818/http://www.cabinet.gov.jm/cabinet/minister/ministry_education Profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090611114818/http://www.cabinet.gov.jm/cabinet/minister/ministry_education Profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090723233811/http://www.jis.gov.jm/Minister%20Profiles/html/4a.htm Jis Page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090723233811/http://www.jis.gov.jm/Minister%20Profiles/html/4a.htm Jis Page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111123014156/http://about-jamaica.com/andrew-holness.html About Jamaica - Official Jamaican Guide]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111123014156/http://about-jamaica.com/andrew-holness.html About Jamaica - Official Jamaican Guide]
* [http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Juliet-joins-husband-Andrew-in-Parliament_52914 Juliet joins husband Andrew in Parliament]
* [http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Juliet-joins-husband-Andrew-in-Parliament_52914 Juliet joins husband Andrew in Parliament] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301095436/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Juliet-joins-husband-Andrew-in-Parliament_52914 |date=1 March 2016 }}


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[[Category:Jamaican Seventh-day Adventists]]
[[Category:Jamaican Seventh-day Adventists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Nation]]
[[Category:Jamaican members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Members of the House of Representatives of Jamaica]]
[[Category:Members of the House of Representatives of Jamaica]]
[[Category:People from Spanish Town]]
[[Category:People from Spanish Town]]
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[[Category:Members of the 14th Parliament of Jamaica]]
[[Category:21st-century Jamaican politicians]]

Latest revision as of 18:33, 18 December 2024

The Most Honourable
Andrew Holness
ON PC MP
Holness in 2020
9th Prime Minister of Jamaica
Incumbent
Assumed office
3 March 2016
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
DeputyHorace Chang
Governor-GeneralSir Patrick Allen
Preceded byPortia Simpson-Miller
In office
23 October 2011 – 5 January 2012
MonarchElizabeth II
DeputyKenneth Baugh
Governor-GeneralSir Patrick Allen
Preceded byBruce Golding
Succeeded byPortia Simpson-Miller
Leader of the Opposition
In office
5 January 2012 – 3 March 2016
Prime MinisterPortia Simpson-Miller
Preceded byPortia Simpson-Miller
Succeeded byPortia Simpson-Miller
Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
20 November 2011
Preceded byBruce Golding
Minister of Education
In office
11 September 2007 – 1 January 2012
Prime MinisterBruce Golding
Himself
Preceded byMaxine Henry-Wilson
Succeeded byRonald Thwaites
Personal details
Born
Andrew Michael Holness

(1972-07-22) 22 July 1972 (age 52)
Spanish Town, St. Catherine, Jamaica
Political partyJamaica Labour
Spouse
​
(m. 1997)​
Children2
EducationSt. Catherine High School
Alma materUniversity of the West Indies, Mona (BSc, MSc)
Northeastern University (DLP)

Andrew Michael Holness, ON PC (born 22 July 1972) is a Jamaican politician who has served as Prime Minister of Jamaica since 3 March 2016, having previously served from 2011 to 2012, and as Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) since 2011.

Holness previously served as prime minister from 23 October 2011 to 5 January 2012. He succeeded Bruce Golding as prime minister and decided to go to the polls in the 29 December 2011 general election in an attempt to get his own mandate from the Jamaican electorate. He failed in that bid, however, losing to the People's National Party led by Portia Simpson-Miller, with the PNP gaining 42 seats to the JLP's 21. Following that defeat, Holness served as Leader of the Opposition from January 2012 to March 2016, when he once again assumed the position of prime minister.[1] In 2020, the Labour Party won a landslide in another general election, and on 7 September Holness was sworn in for another term as prime minister.[2]

In October 2011, at the age of 39, Holness became the youngest person ever to be prime minister in Jamaica's history. In March 2016, aged 43, he became the youngest to ever be elected prime minister. He is also the first prime minister to have been born after Jamaica gained independence in 1962. He is currently the longest serving prime minister from the Jamaica Labour Party.[3]

Early life and education

[edit]

In 1997, Holness described his father as "a thinker and an academic socialist" and his mother as "pragmatic and frugal."[4] He grew up in Ensom City, Spanish Town, and attended St. Catherine High School. At school, he was a noted debater and became head boy and valedictorian.[5] After graduating, he taught at the school for a year, and at the age of 19 he began his undergraduate studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in management studies.[4][6]

After completing his degree, Holness worked as executive director of the Voluntary Organization for Uplifting Children (VOUCH) from 1994 to 1996. It was there that he met Edward Seaga, at that time the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). During his time at VOUCH, Holness completed a Master of Science (MSc) degree in development studies at the University of the West Indies.[6][7] Holness joined the Premium Group of Companies, led by Seaga, and worked as his special assistant and financial manager.[8]

In 2024, Holness completed a doctor of law and policy degree at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, a type of professional doctorate.[9] His thesis focused on the impact of American gun laws on violence in Jamaican society.[10]

Political career

[edit]

Holness joined the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in 1992, and became actively involved from 1993, while a student at the University of the West Indies. Holness was first elected to the Jamaican parliament in the 1997 general election as the member of parliament for Saint Andrew West Central, representing the JLP.

The election in the constituency was, principally, between Holness and Warren Blake, representing the People's National Party (PNP). The initial result was very close, although by the end Holness was declared the victor. The PNP lodged allegations of tampering with the Constituted Authority, part of the electoral regulation system in Jamaica.[6] Holness was sworn in as member of parliament on 24 February 1998, delayed by a magisterial recount. On 5 March 1998, he lost the seat, as the Election Court had ordered a re-election.[11] In April, Blake won the re-election, but due to irregularities in a group of four polling stations at Taylor Basic School, the JLP lodged allegations with the Constituted Authority, who agreed to run a re-election in those polling stations.[12] In the ensuing re-election, Holness won, and he was sworn in a second time as MP in July 1998.[13]

After his election, Morris Cargill commented: "I am glad that Andrew Holness won, not out of any narrow political bias, but because it would be good for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to have a new young man in its ranks."[14] Shortly after entering the house, Holness was appointed as the opposition spokesperson on land, development, and housing, and he became a member of the economy and production and infrastructure and physical development committees.[15][16]

In 1997, he became a member of parliament for West Central St. Andrew and served as Opposition Spokesperson on Land and Development from 1999 to 2002. In 2002, he switched portfolio to Housing and then Education in 2005.

Minister of Education

[edit]

Holness became Minister of Education in the cabinet of Bruce Golding in 2007.

Prime Minister of Jamaica

[edit]

He succeeded Bruce Golding as both leader of the JLP and prime minister on 23 October 2011, making him the ninth person to hold the office. As prime minister, he chose to retain the education portfolio. In February 2023, a commission cleared him of corruption allegations of which he was accused.[17]

2011 elections

[edit]
Main article: 2011 Jamaican general election

On 5 December 2011, Holness called an election set for 29 December 2011. The JLP campaigned in its strongholds, and Holness highlighted the accomplishments during the four years of JLP government, such as economic growth and crime reduction, which the JLP said the PNP failed to do during its own eighteen years' rule of the country.

The JLP, however, lost the election to the PNP, which gained a large majority of 42 to the JLP's 21 parliamentary seats. Portia Simpson-Miller and the PNP returned to power. The voter turnout was 53.17%.[18]

2016 elections and re-appointment as Prime Minister

[edit]
Main article: 2016 Jamaican general election

On 25 February 2016, the JLP won the 2016 election winning 32 seats compared to 31 seats for the incumbent PNP. His wife Juliet also won a seat in parliament, the first time a prime minister or opposition leader and their spouse sat simultaneously in the Parliament of Jamaica.[19] As a result, Simpson-Miller became Opposition Leader for a second time. The voter turnout dipped below 50% for the first time, registering just 48.37%.[20]

2020 elections

[edit]
Main article: 2020 Jamaican general election

On 3 September 2020, Holness led the JLP to a second consecutive general election victory, but this time by a much larger margin. The JLP won 49 seats, as compared to the 14 seats for the PNP. However, the turnout was just 37%, probably affected by the coronavirus pandemic. With this victory, he became the youngest person in Jamaica's history to be elected twice.[21] He was sworn in for another term on 7 September 2020.[22][23][24]

Republicanism

[edit]

During the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's tour of Jamaica in March 2022, on behalf of the Jamaican monarch,[25] Queen Elizabeth II, and as part of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of her accession, Holness told the royal couple that their nation was "moving on and we intend to attain in short order our development goals and fulfil our true ambitions as an independent, developed, prosperous country".[26]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1997 he married Juliet Holness (née Landell), an accountant, whom he had met as a student at St. Catherine High School during the 1980s.[27][28] The couple have two children, Adam and Matthew.[29]

He is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[30]

Andrew Holness meeting with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on 1 April 2022

Honours

[edit]

National honours

[edit]

Foreign honours

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Journey Begins - Portia Sworn In". Archived from the original on 7 January 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Holness to be sworn in as prime minister on Monday afternoon". www.loopjamaica.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  3. ^ Robinson, Claude (23 October 2011). "When Andrew Holness becomes prime minister today". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Andrew Holness - youngest man in the polls". The Daily Gleaner. 8 December 1997. p. 40.
  5. ^ "The Andrew Holness I went to school with …". Jamaica Observer. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "JLP gets another seat". The Daily Gleaner. 29 December 1997. p. 1.
  7. ^ Poyser, Andre (2 March 2016). "Andrew Holness The Protege: Former Prime Minister, Edward Seaga Reflects on Holness's Journey to Jamaica House". The Daily Gleaner. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  8. ^ "JLP Candidate". The Daily Gleaner. 24 October 1997. p. 10.
  9. ^ "College of Professional Studies: Law and Policy". Northeastern University Graduate Studies. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  10. ^ McLeod, Sheri-kae (12 September 2024). "Jamaica's PM Andrew Holness earns PhD in Law and Policy". Caribbean National Weekly. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  11. ^ "March 26 for re-election". The Daily Gleaner. 10 March 1998. p. 1.
  12. ^ "Re-election of the re-election?". The Daily Gleaner. 8 April 1998. p. 1.
  13. ^ "Holness wins, again!". The Daily Gleaner. 1 July 1998. p. 1.
  14. ^ Cargill, Morris (12 July 1998). "Settling troubles in Guyana". The Daily Gleaner. p. 17.
  15. ^ Edwards, Claudienne (24 June 1998). "'LIFF accounts problematic' - Douglas". The Daily Gleaner. p. 8.
  16. ^ Wint, Carl (9 July 1998). "House passes Investment Fund Act". The Daily Gleaner. p. 14.
  17. ^ "Jamaica PM will not face corruption charges - watchdog". Reuters. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  18. ^ Caribbean Elections: Jamaican Election Centre, "Jamaican general election results 29 December 2011" http://www.caribbeanelections.com/jm/elections/jm_results_2011.asp Archived 8 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Juliet joins husband Andrew in Parliament - News". JamaicaObserver.com. 26 February 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  20. ^ Caribbean Elections: Jamaican Election Centre, "Jamaican general election results 25 February 2016" http://www.caribbeanelections.com/jm/elections/jm_results_2016.asp Archived 31 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  21. ^ Charles, Jacqueline (3 September 2020). "Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Jamaica Labor Party retain power in 'tsunami victory'". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Swearing in ceremony for Holness set for Monday". jamaica-star.com. 5 September 2020. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  23. ^ "Holness to be sworn in as prime minister on Monday afternoon". www.loopjamaica.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  24. ^ "WATCH: Holness sworn in as prime minister for a third time". Loop News Jamaica. 7 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Full Text—Prince William expresses profound sorrow for slavery", The Gleaner, 23 March 2022, retrieved 19 August 2022
  26. ^ Gentleman, Amelia; Wolfe-Robinson, Maya; Chappell, Kate (23 March 2022). "Jamaica's PM tells Kate and William his country is 'moving on'". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  27. ^ Husey-Whyte, Donna (13 November 2011). "The PM's wife Juliet Holness speaks of life, love and family". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  28. ^ Ellington, Barbara (20 November 2011). "Juliet Holness; Jamaica is safe in Andrew's hands". The Gleaner. Archived from the original on 2 December 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  29. ^ "Mr. Andrew Michael Holness, M.P. Opposition Leader". Jamaica Information Service. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  30. ^ "Andrew Holness 'sworn-in' as Jamaica's new Prime Minister – Dominica News Online". Dominicanewsonline.com. 24 October 2011. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  31. ^ Andrew Holness appointed Prime Minister
  32. ^ PM Holness and Dominican Republic President conferred national honours
  33. ^ Tilbrook, Richard (26 May 2021). "ORDERS APPROVED AND BUSINESS TRANSACTED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT WINDSOR CASTLE ON 26TH MAY 2021" (PDF). The Privy Council Office. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Andrew Holness.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Andrew Holness.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Education
2007–2012 		Succeeded by
Ronald Thwaites
Preceded by Prime Minister of Jamaica
2011–2012 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Leader of the Opposition
2012–2016
Prime Minister of Jamaica
2016–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party
2011–present 		Incumbent
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