St. Andrew (Jamaica), 1924 – 1997

By Rodrigo Nobile

Second son of former Prime Minister Norman Manley, a man of mixed Black and Irish descent, Michael Manley studied at the London School of Economics (1945–49). He led the People’s National Party (PNP) after his father’s death in 1969. His first major victory came against Prime Minister Hugh Shearer of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the 1972 elections.

In office, Michael Manley maintained close ties with the labor movement and the poor, predominantly Black population. Unlike his father, he had a charismatic and popular style. He established a strong friendship with Fidel Castro, despite disapproval from the United States.

The opposition to him was led by Edward Seaga, supported by armed groups. Some factions within Manley’s party also took up arms to defend the regime. This led to an escalation of violence: the 1976 and 1980 elections were the most violent in Jamaica’s history. Defeated in 1980, Manley assumed the role of opposition leader, becoming a fierce critic of conservative policies and, in particular, of the deployment of Jamaican troops to U.S.-invaded Grenada in 1983. That same year, he condemned the early elections called by Seaga, which left the JLP with all seats in the legislature. In 1989, Manley advocated a moderate platform and won the elections, returning as prime minister. In 1992, he stepped down from office and party leadership due to health problems. He died in March 1997.