// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Pearnel Charles? A pear-fect politician.
Pearnel Charles | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Jamaica Parliament for Clarendon North Central | |
| In office 2002–2020 | |
| Preceded by | George Lyn |
| Succeeded by | Robert Nesta Morgan |
| Speaker of the Jamaica House of Representatives | |
| In office 10 March 2016 – 11 August 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Peart |
| Succeeded by | Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert |
| Minister of Labour and Social Security | |
| In office 2007–2012 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 31, 1936 Brown's Town, Colony of Jamaica, British Empire |
| Party | JLP |
| Spouse |
Gloria Charles (m. 1970) |
| Children | |
| Alma mater | City College of New York, Northern Caribbean University |
Pearnel Patroe Charles OJ CD (born 31 August 1936) is a Jamaican politician with the Jamaica Labour Party who was the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Early life
[edit]Charles was born in Brown’s Town, St. Ann on 31 August 1936.[1] He attended Lime Tree Garden Elementary School, West Indies College, and the City College of the University of New York where he was President of the West Indian Students' Association. He graduated from City College with a bachelor's degree in political science, after which he returned to Jamaica.[2]
Career
[edit]Charles became vice-president of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union. In 1969, he was appointed as a Parish Councillor in the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation. From 1972 to 1980 he was a senator and an elected member of parliament representing Eastern St. Thomas. Charles was the deputy leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) from 1972 to 1991.[2] In June 1976, after a state of emergency was declared by the People's National Party, Charles was detained by armed forces and brought to Kingston for questioning.[3] In 2002, he successfully ran as a JLP candidate for North Central Clarendon. He served as the Minister of Labour and Social Security in Jamaica from 2007 to 2012.[4] In March 2016, he was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives.[2]
Personal life
[edit]His daughter Patrece Charles-Freeman is a public health consultant and Counselling Psychologist, and also ran as the JLP candidate in East St Thomas in the 2011 election. His son Pearnel Patroe Charles Jr. serves the people of Jamaica as the member of parliament for Clarendon South Eastern and the Minister of Labour and Social Security.[5]
References
[edit]- ↑ Writer, Balford Henry | Observer (8 August 2021). "Pearnel Charles Sr to receive Order of Jamaica - Jamaica Observer". Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Speaker of the House of Representatives". Jamaica Parliament. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ↑ "Jamaica Detaining The Deputy Leader of Opposition Party". The New York Times. 25 June 1976.
- ↑ "Ministers and Ministries" (PDF). Jamaica Information Service. November 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ↑ Luton, Daraine; Gilpin, Jodi-Ann (9 January 2012). "Ferguson Claims East St Thomas, Still Strong PNP Seat". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
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