The situation improved slightly in 2011, after police crackdowns on gang violence according to police statistics, the murder rate during the first three months of the year fell 44 percent from their rate over the same period in 2010. Over half of these were gang related, and only 21 percent were resolved in court. In 2009, an all-time high of 1,682 homicides were reported. Under Golding, Jamaica struggled with high levels of crime, sluggish economic growth, and a public sector in need of major reform. JLP leader Bruce Golding became the new prime minister. In September 2007, the JLP won a majority of seats in the House of Representatives, ending 18 years in power for the PNP. Since then, power has alternated between the social democratic People's National Party (PNP) and the more conservative Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Jamaica achieved independence from Britain in 1962. The People's National Party (PNP) won a strong parliamentary majority, and PNP leader Portia Simpson Miller became prime minister. Golding was replaced as prime minister and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) by Andrew Holness, who called for early elections in December. The following month, Jamaican prime minister Bruce Golding resigned, likely as a result of public anger over his handling of the Coke situation. In August 2011, Jamaican drug lord Christopher "Dudus" Coke pled guilty in the United States to drug trafficking charges. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2012 - Jamaica, 22 August 2012, available at: