Jamaica’s first female PM waves goodbye to politics

Portia Simpson Miller, the first female prime minister of Jamaica, has bowed out of politics, 43 years after first entering politics.

The People’s National Party stalwart, 71, gave her final speech to parliament this week, 43 years after she assumed her first public role as councillor in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation.

"It has been quite a journey. I have endured it all — the ridicule, the victories, and defeats. But I have stood tall and remained focused," she said.

"I have consistently been able to do so out of the fundamental belief that good will always overcome evil."

‘Mother of politics’

Simpson Miller was elected to Parliament in 1976, and has been member of the House ever since – apart from the period between 1983 and 1989 due to the PNP's boycott of the 1983 snap elections.

She served as minister in various ministries from 1989 to 2006, when she was appointed as Prime Minister of Jamaica. At present her remains the only woman to have held this position.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness the parliamentarian, calling her “a metaphor of hope in the face of adversity” and as being “no ordinary woman”.

“The defence of the poor in society must never be left unattended. You have been the voice on policies that govern the poor,” he added.

Tributes from across other Caribbean nations have been paid to her, including from Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who described her as a “dear and sincere” friend.

“To my dear mother in politics, you have been a great source of inspiration not only to women in politics but to me as well, he said.

“Your love and commitment not only to Jamaica but the region shall not doubt be recorded by our historians.”

Legacy examined

During her emotional speech, she spoke of her experiences – both good and bad – over nine terms representing St Andrew Southwestern, as well as her rise to head of the government

"Many have commented about my legacy in recent weeks. While there are many significant things that I can point to and say ‘I did that’, the legacy I am most proud of is my relationship with the people of Jamaica,” she said.

The minister thanked her colleagues for their support over the last 35 years, and was met with a bouquet of flowers from her successor, Peter Phillips, as she left the House of Representatives.