Michael Manley

Opposition

As Leader of the Opposition Manley became an outspoken critic of the new conservative administration. Immediately after committing Jamaican troops to Reagan's invasion of Grenada in 1983, Seaga called a snap election - two years early, on the pretext that Dr Paul Robertson, General Secretary of the PNP, had called for his resignation. Manley, who may have been taken by surprise by the manuver, led his party in a boycott of the elections, and so the Jamaica Labour Party won all seats in parliament against only marginal opposition in six of the sixty electoral constituencies.

Related Topics:
Leader of the Opposition - Invasion of Grenada

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During his period of opposition in the 1980s, Manley, a compelling speaker, traveled extensively, speaking to audiences around the world. He taught a graduate seminar, and gave a series of public lectures at Columbia University in New York.

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In the 1980's a Judicial Enquiry, the Smith Commission, was held on the 1976 State of Emergency. Manley admitted that he declared it on evidence that was manufactured to help him win the forthcoming election.

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In 1986 Manley travelled to Britain and visited Birmingham. He attended a number of venues including the Afro Caribbean Resource Centre in Winson Green and Digbeth Civic Hall, the mainly-black audiences turned out en masse to hear Manley speak.

Related Topics:
1986 - Britain - Birmingham - Afro Caribbean Resource Centre - Winson Green - Digbeth Civic Hall

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