Percival James Patterson became the sixth Prime Minister of Jamaica in 1992, but it was the road to holding the highest office in the land that is interesting. Patterson rose from the ashes of a scandal to lead the People’s National Party to victory that year. After the fallout from that scandal, Patterson famously exclaimed that he would be back and proved himself a prophet when he did.

Published March 31, 1992

PM Pledges Integrity: PJ Patterson sworn in

Percival Noel James Patterson, a 56-year old attorney-at-law, was yesterday sworn in as Jamaica’s sixth Prime Minister since its independence in 1962.

In a colourful ceremony on the lawns of King’s House and watched by scores of people, Mr. Patterson pledged allegiance to “Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors.”  He later pledged to attempt to restore integrity and probity to public life.

In his acceptance speech, the new Prime Minister said he was conscious of the sterling contributions that his predecessors had made and wondered how he could “by example as well as precept, help to so change our values and attitudes that we can provide that unity of purpose and action which is the only foundation on which national prosperity can be built.

“For my part I intend at all times to act and speak with the level of dignity and decorum that befits this high office.”  Mr. Patterson said  “We should never allow any excesses of partisan competition to lower our standards of expression.  We should eschew verbal vulgarity in our political discourse.

Mr. Patterson explained that “within the same context leadership must contend with the need to restore integrity and probity of public life.  We must ensure that corruption does not destroy the very fabric of our society.  We cannot condone it in whatever shape or form.”

The new Prime Minister takes up the mantle 25 years after he first entered the Lower House as Senator in 1967.  In 1970 he was elected to the House of Representatives.  He is no newcomer to the role of Prime Minister, having acted in that position on a number of occasions while holding the substantive post of Deputy Prime Minister up to January 1 of this year.

Promptly at 5:00 o’clock, Mr. Patterson descended the steps of  King’s House, accompanied by out-going  Prime Minister Michael Manley. Governor General Sir Howard Cooke, paid tribute to Mr. Manley before administering the oath of office to Mr. Patterson.

Sir Howard described Mr. Manley as one of  Jamaica’s most influential leaders and men of vision – a patriot, teacher, agent of change and visionary.” He added that “only the most ignorant among us would not wish to acknowledge his sterling contribution which is of creative and lasting dimensions in a society that is still groping to find itself as it emerges out of centuries of colonialism into independence.

Of the new Prime Minister the Governor General noted that “Mr. Patterson never wavered in his loyalty, dedication and commitment to building his party and serving the Jamaican people with initiative, creativity and receptivity to the changing needs of the society.

Further Sir Howard said Mr. Patterson never spared himself in his determination to succeed and pursued any task with a singleness of mind.  “I have always found my friend to be objective, discerning, balanced in judgement and a good listener,” he said.

The ceremony which lasted less than an hour was attended by Mr. Patterson’s colleagues in the Government and Opposition, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the clergy and a host of well-wishers.