Prime Minister Michael Manley invited representatives from both Rhodesia – as it then was – and South Africa, to be present in the meeting. That meeting signified a major turn in the affairs of the Commonwealth, particularly with the focus on the Liberation Movements in Southern Africa.
Harold Wilson was also taking the opportunity to break ground for the British High Commission which was being built on land that had been owned by the British Government and kept by them – even after our independence – in Trafalgar Park. All Ministers were assigned the responsibility of meeting Heads on their arrival, and mine included Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Harold Wilson. I still held the same portfolio but I was the Minister largely responsible for the organisation of the conference. The meeting, for the first time, the need for the Commonwealth to focus not only on the political issues of the day but those pertaining to economic and trade relationships, hence my participation in that capacity.Īt that meeting, Michael Manley was persuaded to host the next meeting of Heads, which took place in Jamaica in 1975. The meeting was held in Canada Prime Minister Trudeau presided. PJP: My first meeting with the Commonwealth Heads was in 1973, at which time I was the Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Foreign Trade. I wondered if you could begin, please, by reflecting on how you regarded the Commonwealth when you came into politics, because yours is a very long political career. Thank you very much, Sir, for agreeing to take part in this interview project on the history of the Commonwealth. SO: This is Dr Sue Onslow interviewing the Most Honourable PJ Patterson in Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday, 22 nd January 2015. PJP: The Most Hon PJ Patterson (Respondent)
Chairman, Committee on Commonwealth Membership, 2006-07. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, 1978-80. Campaign Director for the PNP in 1972, 19. Elected Vice-President of the People’s National Party (PNP), 1969. Educated at the University of the West Indies, Mona, and the London School of Economics. "Upon the completion of the medical assessment, a more fulsome bulletin on his condition will be issued.Biography: Patterson, Percival Noel James ‘PJ’. He is conscious and alert and with family and friends. He is currently undergoing a complete evaluation. This required him to be taken to the Tony Thwaites Wing at the University Hospital for a check and observation. "At about 7.45 p.m., the former Prime Minister had a motor vehicle accident at home. Patterson, is now undergoing a complete medical evaluation at the University Hospital of the West Indies, following an accident earlier tonight. "Former Prime Minister, the Most Honourable P. Patterson released the following statement: It's understood that he was helping a family friend to maneuver a difficult segment of his driveway when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed, suffering a knee injury as a result. Patterson, who is 84 years old, was driving a Suzuki Swift in his yard when the crash happened. The incident is said to have occurred in the driveway of Mr. Patterson was reportedly rushed to hospital on Monday evening after he was injured in a motor vehicle crash.