(Trinidad Guardian) Following a People’s National Movement’s (PNM) Central Executive meeting at the party’s headquarters, a group of MPs from the parliamentary caucus emerged after a separate meeting—and recent leadership contenders Stuart Young and Pennelope Beckles embraced, as did Young and PNM general secretary Foster Cummings.
This, amid heavy spotlight on the PNM Government following Monday’s announcements by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley that Young would be his successor as prime minister.
After last weekend’s Parliamentary caucus in Tobago, Rowley revealed that Energy Minister Young (PNM’s chairman) had obtained the vote of 11 MPs to succeed him (Rowley) when he resigns ahead. Planning Minister Beckles received the votes of nine MPs.
However, some PNMites have taken issue with the selection process, which they feel did not involve the general party membership and wasn’t in synch with democracy. Subsequently, it was reported that the nine MPs refused to sign a letter of endorsement for Young to become prime minister, which would have been sent to the President eventually.
The issues are set to be discussed at the PNM’s General Council meeting which was called by the leadership for tomorrow.
But it was confirmed that after yesterday’s Central Executive meeting, which was short, some members of the Parliamentary caucus—such as Young and others—stayed back to have further discussions.
Rowley was at Balisier House yesterday and reportedly attended a meeting of the Parliamentary caucus. But he left Balisier House at 6.25 pm—looking serious—and without taking questions from the media.
At the end of the discussions by the Parliamentary caucus members, at 8.32 pm, that group of Ministers and MPs emerged, Young at the centre, Beckles alongside and flanked by Cummings, Faris Al-Rawi, Terrence Deyalsingh, deputy leader Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Marvin Gonzales and Roger Munroe.
Asked about the meeting, Al-Rawi only said, “All is good.”
There were then handshakes between Young and Al-Rawi, hugs between Young and Gadsby-Dolly, Young and Beckles, Young and Deyalsingh and hug/chest bump between Young and Cummings.
After Young left, Guardian Media asked Cummings about tomorrow’s General Council agenda, and a brief description of what was expected.
Cummings replied, “Due process, PNM standard—very professional.”
However, other party officials said the issue of the MPs’ letter of endorsement was not discussed, nor were any of the matters surrounding the PM’s recent pronouncements on the leadership issues. These were all stood down to tomorrow’s General Council.
Sources said there was, however, doubt that an internal election to select a leader—as some have lobbied for—would occur, but rather a general election. They did not rule out the possibility of a statement by the leadership, ahead of tomorrow’s General Council meeting.
Ministers/PNM officials had been at Balisier House since early in the afternoon yesterday. Thursday is usually the Government’s Cabinet day.
The Central Executive meeting was scheduled to begin at 5.30 pm. Some ministers were still going in around 6.15 pm. However, a number of ministers left the compound, refraining from commenting on the meeting or activities going on inside still, where ministers from the Parliamentary caucus remained in discussion.
National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, Minister in National Security Keith Scotland and Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis left at 6.27 pm. They declined comment, with Hinds telling reporters, “Wishing you all the very best for the new year, happy new year and God bless you…”
They were followed by Camille Robinson-Regis (PNM lady vice chairman). Her vehicle met her at the door of Balisier House so media couldn’t reach her for questions.
Communication Minister Symon de Nobriga said he had no updates. As for when that was expected, he added, “That is not for me to say.”
Minister Rohan Sinanan, departing with Minister Kazim Hosein, added, “We just finished Central Executive meeting and it was wonderful.”
Asked if the issues concerning Young and the leadership arose, Sinanan said, “Central Executive doesn’t deal with that…”
Former PNM deputy leader Joan Yuille-Williams said she had attended the Central Executive meeting but not attended the other meeting (of ministers in the Parliamentary caucus).
Around 7.20 pm, Beckles was seen being hugged deeply by PNM’s labour relations officer Jennifer Baptiste-Primus.
Baptiste-Primus emerged from the building well before the Parliamentary caucus ministers did.
Asked about the Central Executive meeting, Baptiste-Primus said, “It was a very constructive meeting—short.”
Asked if it met her satisfaction, she replied, “Because of the subjective conditions, one must always be reasonable, and the legislative (Parliamentary) caucus is still underway so that would have impacted on our meeting. But it couldn’t, as it’s not yet at an end. So, it was agreed that whatever issues and concerns will be raised at the General Council on Saturday (tomorrow,) God’s willing.”
Asked what the council will be suggesting/proposing/discussing/debating, Baptiste-Primus said, “I cannot contemplate what the General Council is likely to do but people have concerns and we’ll raise those concerns at General Council and I’m quite sure one way or the other, a decision would result on Saturday.”
On the main concern of herself or others in the party on the current leadership matter, Baptiste-Primus said, “(It’s) that whoever leads the party must be elected by the membership through the one man/one vote system.”
A grinning Finance Minister Colm Imbert, leaving at 7.19 pm, repeatedly said, “I prefer not to say anything.” Imbert also preferred not to comment on the agenda for tomorrow’s General Council meeting.
Earlier in the evening when participants arrived, Tobago PNM leader Ancil Dennis and Works Minister Sinanan had dismissed the perception of instability in the PNM. Sinanan said the party was as stable as the Balisier House headquarters building.
