MONTEGO BAY, St James — With a political career spanning more than 40 years, Dr Horace Chang — the country’s deputy prime minister and national security minister — believes it is time for him to step aside and make room for someone younger.

Chang, who retained his St James North Western seat in the September 3 General Election — a constituency he’s held for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) since 2002 — said this will be his final term as Member of Parliament.

“I’ve had six terms in Montego Bay — a record… but I think it’s time somebody younger takes over and brings their own dynamic,” Dr Chang said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer last Wednesday.

“I think it’s a good time to go. We have done well — three [consecutive] successful general elections at the party level. I’ve had the pleasure of working with the most successful Prime Minister [Dr Andrew Holness] in the country’s history and we have done a lot of things that have been different,” Chang said.

Reflecting on his career in representational politics, which began in Hanover Western, Chang said: “I’ve gone through some very critical times too, so it’s time for me to look at my memories more than I look at creating new ground, and give some younger person an opportunity to do so.”

He had made a similar declaration a few years ago, but decided to forego that decision.

“I found it very easy to work with him [Holness], and I think he found it similar, and we were able to do things in the interest of the party that has resulted in good success, so we keep doing it,” Chang explained.

Besides being re-elected MP two weeks ago, the veteran politician considers the outcome of the country’s 19th general election — which saw the JLP securing 35 seats to the People’s National Party’s 28 — one of his proudest moments as general secretary of the victorious party.

“The party has never had a successful third-term election. The election, despite a lot of tense moments and a lot of intense debates, went very well so it is a great day for the country — and political violence was almost non-existent,” Chang told the Sunday Observer.

“And since I came into this field in the 70s, to have an election of this type was particularly satisfying, so it was, for me, a proud moment for the political party and the party leader, whom I supported in being elected leader. And, at the same time, for the country to be able to participate in an election of this type in Jamaica, I think it went peacefully,” added Dr Chang.

In his role as minister of national security, Chang said he is most proud of the steady reduction in murders in recent years.

“There was no single defining moment, but to witness the decline has been quite a sense of achievement and satisfaction,” he said while recounting personal stories of families who can finally live with a greater sense of safety, calling those moments the most rewarding.

With Holness set to be sworn in as prime minister on Tuesday, the path will be paved for a new Cabinet.

However, leaving the naming of government ministers — including the national security portfolio — to the prime minister, Chang limited his comments on whether he’d like to be returned to that portfolio or who he sees as a successor, noting that “the party has a depth of talent”.

In his role as Member of Parliament, Chang highlighted his work in education through his constituency scholarship programme that has supported university students from some of Jamaica’s toughest communities.

“To see young students emerge from the inner city as outstanding professionals makes me really feel good about what we’re doing,” he told the Sunday Observer.

The long-serving MP emphasised that his constituency team remains strong and will ensure a smooth transition after his departure. While he did not disclose who his likely successor is, he assured constituents that they will continue to receive effective representation.

At 72 years old Chang, who said he is in good shape, intends to focus on his health, spend more time with his family, and possibly put pen to paper to document his long and storied journey in politics and public service.

“I may decide to put some notes down on my life. It has been a long journey, an interesting journey,” said Chang, who disclosed that he loves to write.

But retirement will not mean a complete withdrawal from public life.

“I have a lot to do and I may remain active in the community, but at this point in my life it’s time to give younger people the space,” insisted Chang.

Before becoming a fixture on the country’s political scene Chang was a medical officer of health for Trelawny. Over the years he served in many ministerial capacities and played a key role in contributing to the JLP’s political fortunes. His decision to step away at the end of this term marks the close of a significant chapter in the island’s modern political history.

In this 2024 file photo, then Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western Morland Wilson (white shirt) and National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang (third right) listen to Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake during a tour of the Kings Valley community in Westmoreland. (Photo: Anthony Lewis)

In this November 2022 file photo, Prime Minister Andrew Holness (right) in animated discussion with (from left) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang; Rafael Chapur; Rodrigo Chapur; and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett at the ground-breaking of the UNICO 18º 77º Hotel Montego Bay, St James.