Music inspires harmony at PNP divisional conference
SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Music, they say, is the food of love.
It certainly proved to be a catalyst for peace and harmony at the People’s National Party (PNP) divisional conference in Siloah, North East St Elizabeth, on Sunday night.
This was after beleaguered Member of Parliament for North East St Elizabeth Raymond Pryce was met with open hostility from hardcore Comrades early in the public session of the conference, which was chaired by Councillor for the Siloah Division, Audie Myers.
Pryce is being challenged for leadership of the North East St Elizabeth constituency organisation by Evon Redman. who sat on the platform at the conference and was warmly greeted, though he did not speak.
There was obvious concern on the faces of those on the platform when loud shouts of “No!” greeted the question, “Unno ready for Raymond?” asked by Councillor for the Braes River Division, Donovan Pagon.
There was real worry that the MP and Chairman of the North East St Elizabeth constituency would not be able to address the conference.
Myers responded by reminding Comrades of the need for respect. “Nuff respect for every one; all a we up yah so (platform) a PNP,” Myers told the audience.
A musical interlude followed shortly after and, in an inspired move, a Comrade stepped on to the platform and engaged her MP in a waltz. Pryce, an able dancer, drew admiring laughter and the mood lightened.
The tension all but disappeared when a young Comrade also stepped on to the platform and engaged Redman, dancehall-style. Other young women jumped on stage to dance amid laughter and cheers.
Therafter, the conference went virtually without a hitch. Comrades listened as Pryce outlined his achievements in education and health.
Mayor of Black River Everton Fisher, Member of Parliament for North West Manchester Mikael Phillips, and very notably, former Member of Parliament Kern Spencer, were among the other speakers.
Spencer, who won the NE St Elizabeth seat in 2007, was forced out of politics after his arrest for alleged corruption in the so-called Cuban light bulb scandal. Spencer was eventually cleared in the courts.
— Garfield Myers
