The People’s National Party (PNP) Vice Presidents (Elect) Richard Azan and Ian Hayles released a statement earlier today (Wednesday, July 28, 2021) – in a combined effort to apologize to Central Manchester MP Rhoda Crawford.
Read the statement below:
Having reflected on our remarks last Saturday, we have come to greater awareness that the norms in our society have evolved. What was once cut-and-thrust banter on a political platform now constitutes an unacceptable personal attack on another politician. In particular, we realize the importance of creating an environment that encourages persons to serve through politics, as our country faces unprecedented challenges.
While it was not the intention of either of us to say anything that could be
regarded as outside the range of acceptable political platform oratory, we
now both realize that what was said by us has caused offence, not only to our
colleague, the Member of Parliament for Central Manchester, but also to
members of the public.
We apologize to MP Crawford and all who were offended by our remarks.
We both consider it important that the political atmosphere in Jamaica should
not be a disincentive to participation in political life, especially by women who
are still under-represented in representational politics. We both believe deeply
in the necessity of equal participation in hopes that we may, as politicians,
better represent our constituents.
We commit to being more mindful of how our language may affect others in the
future and we will maintain a higher standard of civility in our discourse, and
encourage others to do the same.
