PRIME Minister Andrew Holness, in an inspirational commencement speech to the 2024 graduating class of Delaware State University (DSU) on Friday, recalled a pivotal moment in his political journey that tested his resolve and revealed the transformative power of embracing new perspectives.

The graduating class was inclusive of 38 Jamaicans who had accessed postgraduate studies through the Caribbean EdD programme at the university. The programme was established at DSU in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic whereby students in Jamaica could pursue higher education without leaving the island.

Holness in his speech recalled that at 25 years old he was asked to represent the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the 1997 General Election as candidate for the St Andrew West Central constituency, a position no one in the party wanted because it was considered to be a stronghold for the People’s National Party.

He said the JLP had lost the seat by margin of 30 per cent, and it was considered impossible for the party to claim victory in the constituency.

“From any point of view it was a Herculean task, a losing struggle. My friends and colleagues tried to dissuade me from this course. However, I did my own research, consulted with people who understood electoral politics, and I got to know the constituents,” said Holness.

“I gained perspective which showed me that the seat was actually winnable, that the votes required to overcome the margin of loss existed, but the voters were not engaged. With that perspective, I took a chance,” he told the graduating class.

The prime minister said that he launched an intensive, two-and-a-half-month campaign which overcame the 30 per cent margin and gave him victory over his opponent, but that feeling was short-lived when the results were voided because of irregularities in the conduct of the elections.

Holness said he was devastated, particularly because the JLP had also lost the general election. He said that he restarted his campaign with the limited funds he had, but was unsuccessful in his quest for victory.

“At the end of that experience I was financially, emotionally and physically drained. From my point of view and frame of mind the situation was hopeless, and it seemed like the inevitable end of the road,” he said.

A friend of his in the legal profession told him that the results could be voided because the extent of documented electoral irregularities was sufficient enough to have an impact on the margin of victory.

“At this state I could’ve decided, and probably should have decided, to give up. Notwithstanding how I felt, I listened to the advice, I consulted once again with my constituents, but I also listened to the voice inside my heart calling me to the service of the people of Jamaica,” said Holness.

“With this perspective we decided to take the chance once again and we moved forward with the charge. The results were voided again and the election ran a third time. I won, and the rest, as they say, is history,” he said smiling.

“I’ve been serving my constituency and the people of Jamaica for the last 27 years. So, get a good perspective on life. This will help you to find your passion, make thoughtful decisions, embrace your struggle, and grasp your opportunities,” Holness charged the graduates.

He further urged them to embrace the challenges that lie ahead with courage and conviction, driving home the fact that sometimes a different perspective on life is all it takes to achieve greatness.

“Life always throws up challenges, obstacles and struggles — at least that is how they may appear from your station in life, from your frame of mind, from your own understanding, from your point of view,” he said.

“However, obstacles are sometimes stepping stones, challenges are usually opportunities to be discovered, our struggles are oftentimes exercises to make us stronger. Our point of view, our perception, may not be the full picture of reality. We can benefit immensely by approaching our problems from a different point of view,” he emphasised.