Holness

Political commentator Patrick Bailey said Holness, who was a respected education minister before becoming prime minister, shouldn't be blamed for the loss.

Jamaica's opposition People's National Party wins election 2011

Supporters of former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, 66, shimmied and shouted in the capital, Kingston, as they heard that the centre-right government of Prime Minister Andrew Holness had been defeated and their candidate had staged a dramatic political comeback in general elections.

Jamaica's opposition People's National Party wins election 2011

Holness, who became prime minister two months ago after Bruce Golding, Jamaica's leader since 2007, abruptly stepped down in October amid anemic public backing, won his parliamentary seat with 54% of the vote.

Jamaica's opposition People's National Party wins election 2011

Holness, Jamaica's youngest prime minister at 39, said the defeat will prompt a time of introspection and reflection for party leaders to examine what went wrong.

Jamaica's opposition People's National Party wins election 2011

I wish the new government well, Holness told reporters.

Jamaica's opposition People's National Party wins election 2011

Veteran opposition lawmaker Omar Davies said one of the first things the People's National Party will do is get "a true assessment of the state of the economy," a dig at Holness' party which was accused of rarely providing citizens with a clear picture of the island's dire fiscal straits.

Jamaica's opposition People's National Party wins election 2011

Simpson Miller, Jamaica's only ever female prime minister, takes over from Andrew Holness, a 39-year-old Labor MP who led the government for just over two months.

Jamaica will become a republic, new prime minister vows 2012

After her speech, Simpson Miller elicited laughter from the audience by dragging a slightly embarrassed-looking Holness, now the leader of the opposition, to the podium and saying she was his "second mother".

Jamaica will become a republic, new prime minister vows 2012

Holness had been elected unopposed to succeed Bruce Golding as head of the ruling Jamaica Labour party, becoming prime minister in the process.

Jamaica will become a republic, new prime minister vows 2012

Holness is largely seen as unexciting, but bright and pragmatic.

Jamaica's opposition People's National Party wins election 2011