The Governor-General is the representative of the Monarch in Jamaica and exercises most of the powers of the Monarch. All that we have to do now is to close our ranks and to continue to work for Jamaica.The succession to the throne is the same as the succession to the British throne. Everyone echoed and endorsed the poignant words of the Governor General: “This to all of us is an irreparable loss. Condolences came from the Prime Minister of England, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Prime Minister of Barbados, among others.įrom King’s House to the humblest hamlet, the nation grieved at the loss of one who held such promise as a leader and a statesman. Her Majesty the Queen, who made him a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order on April 7, as he lay dying in Montreal, sent her regrets. Messages came in from overseas, deploring his death. Norman Manley, led the nation in mourning the passing of Sir Donald. Clement Tavares the former Prime Minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hugh Shearer the former Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. The Governor General, Sir Clifford Campbell the new Prime Minister, the Hon. But this was not to be.Įxpressions of regret were widespread throughout Jamaica yesterday. He also made a name for himself in International financial and economic circles as Jamaica’s principal representative and spokesman on the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.Īs his country’s most experienced Minister, with exception of Sir Alexander Donald had hoped to guide Jamaica future as its new Prime Minister. Overseas, he gained prestige in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, serving as its chairmen in 1964. When the party returned to power in 1962, he resumed both offices. He became Minister of Finance and Leader of the House in 1953, during the life of the Labour Government of 1949 – 54. With this reverse behind him, Sir Donald's political star rose steadily. Elizabeth parliamentary seat by 2355, but re-entered the House later that year when he won the by-election for a vacant seat for a Clarendon constituency. Elizabeth Parochial Board prior to his entry in Parliament in 1949 as a member of the Jamaica Labour Party. Admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court in 1937, he served to various posts, including chairman, on the old St. That triumph crowned the political career of Donald Sangster, who had served at various times as Deputy Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, Leader of the House of Representatives, Minister of Social Welfare, Minister of Finance, Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Defence.īorn October, 1911, the son of a land surveyor, Sir Donald was educated at Munro College. It was only in February of this year, at the General Election for the Hoses of Representatives, that he come into his own-becoming Prime Minister in name as well as in fact, as the result of the Jamaica Labour Party’s victory at the polls. It was faithful loyal, uncomplaining service.įor years, he acted as Prime Minister for the aged and ailing Sir Alexander. Twenty of those years were served under the leadership of Sir Alexander Bustamante, dominant figure on the Jamaican political scene since 1938. Rushed to Canada two days later, he lay critically ill for 20 days, attended by a team of medical specialists.įor 34 years, the 55-year-old lawyer served Jamaica. So came to an end the long and gallant struggle which Sir Denald had put up for life, after being stricken at Newcastle, in the hills above Kingston on March 18. Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters. He did not awaken from the coma into which he had lapsed on April 1. yesterday in the Montreal Neurological Institute, Canada, where his strong constitution had been fighting a losing battle against brain haemorrhage since March 22.ĭeath came to Donald Burns Sangster, the quiet, unassuming Jamaican who rose to the highest position in the land, just four months after he finally became Prime Minister of Jamaica in his own right.Īn announcement issued in Montreal and in Kingston by the Government of Jamaica told a waiting world that Sir Donald had died. Jamaica's second Prime Minister, and its first elected since Independence, died at 12.45 p.m. You see, Sir Donald died just months into his first term as Prime Minister of Jamaica after helping to lead the Jamaica Labour Party into their second term in office after independence.Ģ2 day comatose fight for life ends in Montreal Sir Donald Sangster was the second Prime Minister and here The Gleaner tells part of his story, many probably wish had gone another way. The face on Jamaica’s $100 note provides an interesting story among the many that make up Jamaica’s history.