Crossing Party Lines for Country: Holness Brings Patterson and Golding Into Jamaica’s Recovery Talks.

Jamaica Live News Desk– | Feb 21, 2026

In a notable show of statesmanship and national unity, Andrew Holness revealed that he recently met with two former Prime Ministers — P. J. Patterson of the People’s National Party (PNP) and Bruce Golding of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

The Prime Minister shared that the discussions centered on Jamaica’s ongoing recovery efforts, particularly the establishment of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority, a key mechanism designed to strengthen the island’s rebuilding and long-term resilience strategy.

Holness noted that he updated both former leaders on the progress being made under the new Authority, emphasizing its importance in steering Jamaica through post-crisis recovery and future-proofing the country against economic, environmental, and infrastructural shocks.

Importantly, the meeting transcended partisan lines. Patterson, a stalwart of the PNP, and Golding, a former JLP leader, bring decades of governance experience from opposing sides of Jamaica’s political aisle. Holness acknowledged that their perspectives remain invaluable, stating that as former holders of the office, they “fully understand the demands, imperatives, and exigencies of the job.”

The conversations reportedly extended beyond domestic matters, touching on regional and global issues — a reminder that Jamaica’s leadership must constantly navigate international pressures while safeguarding national interests.

With growing reports of U.S. pressure on Caribbean governments to scale back or sever certain forms of cooperation with Cuba, the issue has once again placed small island states in a delicate diplomatic position. In that context, P. J. Patterson — who consistently defended regional sovereignty and maintained close ties with Havana during his tenure — could have offered Prime Minister Andrew Holness valuable counsel on navigating this sensitive terrain.

Patterson’s experience balancing Jamaica’s strong relationship with Cuba while maintaining working ties with Washington may provide a blueprint: quiet diplomacy over public defiance, firm commitment to Jamaica’s national interest, and strategic engagement within CARICOM to avoid isolation. For a country historically connected to both Havana and the United States, the challenge is not choosing sides, but managing relationships in a way that protects Jamaica’s healthcare partnerships, economic stability, and geopolitical space — without provoking unnecessary fallout.

P.J. Patterson, Jamaica’s longest-serving Prime Minister (1992–2006) from the People’s National Party (PNP), significantly strengthened ties with Cuba. He fostered bilateral cooperation in health and education, consistently advocated for the removal of the U.S. embargo, and maintained a strong friendship with Fidel Castro, reinforcing regional unity.

In thanking both former Prime Ministers for “graciously availing” him of their time and insights, Holness signaled what many Jamaicans have long called for: collaborative leadership at critical moments in the nation’s journey.

For a country facing complex recovery challenges, the image of sitting Prime and former Prime Ministers — across party lines — engaging in constructive dialogue sends a powerful message. At a time when political polarization dominates many democracies worldwide, Jamaica may be quietly demonstrating that experience, consultation, and national interest can still rise above party politics.

Jamaica Live will continue to monitor developments surrounding the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority and the broader recovery strategy. 🇯🇲