Member of Parliament for St Ann South East, Lisa Hanna, has announced her intention to exit representational politics.
The 46-year-old former beauty queen has represented St Ann South East in the House of Representatives, since 2007, and has consistently polled as one of the most popular politicians in Jamaica.
Hanna, in a statement to People’s National Party (PNP) president Mark Golding, said she recently made her decision which she has since communicated to her constituency executive.
Former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller had invited Hanna to join the PNP in 2007. She said the move was life-changing and she has found her 15 years in politics “quite satisfying”. However, the MP, who narrowly won her St Ann South East seat in the 2020 general election and later that year, lost her bid for the PNP presidency, noted in her statement that there was need for change.
“For any organization to survive and be relevant to successive global environments and markets, it must be responsive and change with the times, seeking modern approaches to getting things done. This does not mean changing our core principles, mission, or value proposition but rather, embracing modern communication, applying our principles to 21st-century challenges, empowering the next generation, and, most importantly, attracting and retaining the right talents to get the job done,” she said.
The four term MP currently serves in the Shadow Cabinet as Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. She said she remains available to serve. She has served the party as Regional Chairman and Treasurer. She noted that her journey in politics has not always been easy.
“The political baptisms of fire were often unrelenting and excruciating. I have many times stood alone on principle, which was perceived as unreasonable and misunderstood. But on the whole, the collective experience has bolstered my character, sharpened my fighting skills, and prepared me well for the next chapter of my life’s journey,” she said.
Hanna thanked her mentors, Percival James Patterson, Portia Simpson Miller, Dr. Peter Phillips, KD Knight, John Junor, and Dr. Omar Davies; her parliamentary colleagues, her husband Richard and son Alexander, for their unyielding love and support. She also thanked the constituency executive and office staff; her campaign teams, managers, election workers, group members and the people in her constituency who entrusted her to represent them in Parliament.
