The year 2007 was epochal for the Jamaican society, marking the end of nearly two decades of rule by the People's National Party (PNP) and, simultaneously, the return to office of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which was in the political wilderness for the period.

So accustomed had the JLP Members of Parliament (MPs) become to opposing, that, on assuming government, members of the public had difficulties, at times, in differentiating government pronouncements from the new Opposition PNP.

For Bruce Golding, son of former House Speaker Tacius Golding, it was the end of a sometimes tumultous quest to lead his country, and the beginning of the fulfilment of a life-long dream.

New beginnings

It was the year of new beginnings, too, for the PNP as an opposition party, a role it last performed in early 1989. Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller, basking in her new role, promised to be the "worst nightmare" for the ruling party.

Also, for the first time in decades, tuition fees for secondary education have been removed.

But the year was not all about politics. For the first time in cricket history, the home countries of the West Indies cricket team hosted the World Cup tournament. The biggest shock of the tournament was the defeat of the Pakistan cricket team by newcomers, Ireland, at Sabina Park in March. Despite not winning the tournament, the Windies' nations showcased Caribbean cultural and leisure offerings.

Throughout the year, crime continued to be a blotch on the country's psyche, with over 1,500 persons being murdered, some in a very gruesome way.

Now, at the end of the year, hope has been raised with the appointment as police commissioner of Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, the recently retired Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force.