Michael Manley, a charismatic Jamaican leader, was born in Kingston, Jamaica on December 10, 1924. His parents were National Hero Norman Washington Manley and his wife, Edna Manley. He had a brother named Douglas. Manley’s early education took place at the St. Andrew Kindergarten School in Kingston, and later he attended the Munro and Dickenson College.
In September 1943, Manley left Jamaica to study at McGill University in Canada. However, he volunteered to join the Royal Canadian Air Force two weeks later. After his service in the Air Force, Manley returned to Jamaica and began his career in journalism as a sub-editor with the Public Opinion newspaper.
In 1946 Manley left Jamaica again to study at the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom. During his time in England, he completed his bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees and continued his journalistic work with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). He married five times to Jacqueline Kamellardski, Thelma Verity, Barbara Lewars, Beverley Anderson, and Glynn Ewart.
It was during his student years in London that Manley became actively involved in politics, starting as a student organizer and founding member of the West Indies Students’ Union. In 1952, he returned to Jamaica as Associate Editor of the Public Opinion and was elected to the National Executive Council of the People’s National Party (PNP), which was founded by his father.
In 1952, the National Workers Union (NWU), an affiliate of the PNP, was formed, and Manley began to handle union negotiations. He increasingly became involved in trade unions and political activity while continuing his work with the Public Opinion. In 1970, Michael Manley took over the leadership of the PNP when he was elected to that position following his father’s resignation.
In 1972, after reorganizing the PNP and embarking on an election campaign marked by the slogan “Better Must Come”, Manley led the PNP to victory at the polls and was sworn in as Prime Minister on March 2, 1972. His government declared its ideological platform as Democratic Socialism, leading to the introduction of various social and economic reforms such as the Minimum Wage Law, compulsory recognition of labor unions, maternity leave for women, and free secondary education.
Manley’s government also introduced the Bauxite Levy in 1974 and moved to acquire majority ownership of local assets in the alumina industry. In 1976, the Manley-led PNP won a General Election by a landslide victory. However, by the end of his second term in office, his administration’s Democratic Socialist ideology led to the alienation of the United States and the disenchantment of the electorate, resulting in a landslide victory by the opposing party in 1980.
Between 1980 and 1989, the opposing party governed the country, but Manley was viewed as the de facto Opposition Leader. In 1985, health problems eventually led to his retirement from active politics in 1992. Despite his recurring ill health, his influence remained strong, and in 1989, the PNP returned to government with Manley as Prime Minister once again.
Before his re-election, Manley publicly declared that he had made errors during his previous administration and took a more moderate ideological line. The new Manley administration was decidedly capitalist in its outlook, leading to the liberalization of the economy. After three years in office, Manley resigned as leader of the PNP and Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Throughout the period from 1973 to 1988, Manley wrote six books focused on his political interest and involvement over the years. He was also recognized as an avid sports enthusiast with a special interest in cricket and boxing. Additionally, he popularized the practice of jogging around the Mona Reservoir, where he exercised each day.
Michael Manley’s life and political career were marked by significant contributions to Jamaican society. His leadership and vision have left a lasting impact on the country’s political landscape and social development. His legacy as a charismatic leader continues to be remembered and celebrated by many in Jamaica and beyond.