Dear Editor,

I find it absolutely amazing, and perplexing, that despite not being a minister, not being a Member of Parliament, and declaring that he has “embarked on a sabbatical”, Raymond Pryce is still making the news. It causes one to wonder what a man this Raymond Pryce really is!

To have been so ingloriously rejected by his beloved People’s National Party (PNP) and yet retain the attention of the media is a strange achievement. Pryce made the news in the lead-up to the election at almost every turn. First it was about constituents wanting him out. Then it was about constituents wanting him in. Then it was about the party wanting him out. Then it was about Pryce leaving the PNP Secretariat. Then it was about the party not having a credible message with him out. Then it was an argument — first mooted by a Labourite — that the PNP skulked the debates because they had no Pryce. Then it was about young people within the PNP and the electorate complaining about the absence of Pryce and Damion Crawford. Then the Jamaica Observer’s own Clovis Toon depicting Pryce. Then it was about the absence of Pryce and Crawford assisted in the PNP losing the election. Then it was about the possible inclusion of Pryce and Crawford in the Senate. Then it was about the absence of Pryce and Crawford from the Senate. Then it was about Pryce and Crawford not being on the PNP appraisal committee. Then it was about Pryce and Crawford possibly being in the shadow Cabinet. Then it was about Pryce not being the chairman of the PNP’s young professional arm. And this is just in traditional media. The Pryce and Crawford discussions have been epic across digital media.

Something must be extraordinary about these two young, former politicians that makes it seem as if this country just can’t get enough. I wonder if the PNP knew the real value of their popularity they would have still ousted them. The PNP leadership must be sitting and saying what if? If only…

Is there any way that the special quality they have can be used to motivate young people who are the ones tweeting, posting and blogging the most about them? Will they be available to the NGO community or will they be gone from this country for more lucrative posts in other parts of the world, like so many other young, bright inspirational Jamaicans have done?

Walk good, Raymond Pryce. Walk good, Damion Crawford. We’ll just have to move on

Amoy Martin

amoy.prettymartin@gmail.com