Jamaica Labour Party

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is one of the two major political parties in Jamaica. It is considered more to the right than its main rival, the People's National Party.

The party was founded on July 8, 1943 by Alexander Bustamante as the political wing of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union. The JLP has governed Jamaica from independence in 1962 to 1972, from 1980 to 1989, and from 2007 to the present.

Bustamante led the JLP from its founding until 1964, when he retired from active participation in politics. However, he did not relinquish the title of party leader for several years, until the party, following its defeat in the 1972 elections, gave him the honorific title of "The Chief". In the interim the party was led by Donald Sangster (until 1967) and Hugh Shearer (until 1974), with the title of "First Deputy Leader".

Edward Seaga became the second Leader in 1974, succeeding Shearer, and served as prime minister from 1980 to 1989. Bruce Golding succeeded Seaga in 2005 as the JLP's third leader, and went on to lead the party to victory over the PNP in the September 2007 elections.

The JLP uses the Liberty Bell, the victory sign, and the colour green as electoral symbols.

List of Party Leaders

*Sir Alexander Bustamante (1943-1967)
*Sir Donald Sangster (acting)* (Feb 1967 - April 1967)
*Hugh Shearer (acting)* (1967 - 1974)
*Edward Seaga (1974-2005)
*Bruce Golding (2005-present)

* Donald Sangster and Hugh Shearer were not actually leaders of the JLP but were de facto party leaders during Bustamante's illness.

ee also

* [http://www.jamaicalabourparty.com/ Official JLP website]
*History of the JLP and the PNP [http://www.discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/discover/geography/history8.htm]