We’re not done as yet! Former MPs won’t rule out returning to politics
When the leader of the People’s National Party (PNP), Portia Simpson Miller, announced the date for the general election in January, prominent members of Parliament (MPs) Raymond Pryce and Damion Crawford faded from national attention as they did not contest a seat in the election. But, that by no means is the end of their political careers. Both former MPs have not ruled out returning to representational politics. “My passion is helping people to find solutions to the impediments to their own development. Representative politics is one medium through which that kind of service may be provided. Specifically to a return to active politics, the phrase ‘never say never’ applies,” explained Pryce, the former MP for North Eastern St Elizabeth. He told The STAR that since Parliament was dissolved, he has been on a self-imposed sabbatical which has taken him abroad. According to the former deputy general secretary of the PNP, his time away from politics has enabled him spending more time with his family and close friends and catching up with his favourite hobby, which is reading.
PROUD TENURE
Pryce told THE STAR that he was proud of his tenure as an MP. “The advocacy to decriminalise ganja and the overhaul of many of the schools across the constituency with the help of JSI, as well as the improvement of the physical infrastructure, water supply systems, electrification projects,” Pryce said, highlighting his achievements while he was MP. Crawford, the former MP for St Andrew East Rural, said though he has no immediate plans, he will jump back into representational politics if the opportunity presents itself. “I have no plans to, but if the opportunity arises then I will take it up,” said Crawford. Crawford pointed out his work in implementing the entertainment zone as minister of state in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, and also the different programmes geared towards education in his constituency were his proudest achievements. He told The STAR that, for now, he is planning a return to lecturing at the University of the West Indies in August, and has restarted studying for his doctorate in business administration. While the main lesson for Crawford in his time as an MP was the importance of tolerance, Pryce’s lesson was the possibility of pushing legislation through Jamaica’s Parliament. “The best example of that was the successful Motion to Decriminalise Ganja and permit its use as a Religious Sacrament for Rastafarians. Many critics thought it would not have been achieved; that the motion I tabled was wasteful,” reminded Pryce.