Jamaica: Former PM Portia Simpson-Miller to retire from politics

Former Prime Minister ends successful political career

Former Jamaican Prime Minister and People’s National Party (PNP) Leader Portia Simpson-Miller will be stepping down from the island-nation’s House of Representatives on June 29.

According to Phillip Paulwell – the leader of Opposition Business in the House – Simpson-Miller will submit her letter of intent to resign to Speaker of the House, Pearnel Charles on June 29, effecting her formal resignation on the same day.
Paulwell noted that, in accordance with the nation’s laws, the resignation letter, once handed to the speaker, becomes effective immediately.

Simpson-Miller, Jamaica’s only female prime minister, first held that post for 18 months, succeeding former Prime Minister P.J Patterson, who resigned during his 3rd term in office in 2006.

She was defeated in September 2007 by the Bruce Golding-led Jamaica Labor Party (JLP).Br />
She was re-elected prime minister in December 2011 and was in office until February 2016 when she was defeated by Andrew Holness and the JLP.

Simpson-Miller was first elected to parliament in 1976.

Source: Jamaica Observer