Daly Bread: Dr Rowley’s succession manoeuvres; how to ride steelpan momentum

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley (the PM) has evaded having his choice of Minister Stuart Young as successor to the leadership of the party and the country (or indeed any other person desiring such leadership) sent to a vote at a convention of the membership of the People’s National Movement (PNM).

The PM is also the representative for the constituency of Diego Martin West. The recent elimination of Dr Amery Browne as a PNM candidate for that constituency is interesting, in light of the pending retirement of Rowley and his successorship manoeuvres.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley (centre) is flanked by ministers Stuart Young (left) and Foster Cummings at Balisier House in January 2025.
Photo: PNM

As a result of early endorsement of another candidate by party groups in Diego Martin West, Browne withdrew his acceptance of nomination to contest the seat.

I do not take at face value that there was a spontaneous outburst of support for a prospective candidate other than Browne, particularly as Browne had been spoken of as a likely successor to the leadership of the PNM for several years.

I think it is more likely that there was an orchestrated move designed to discourage Dr Browne and to stymie his possible entry into the House of Representatives. His absence from the House of Representatives will leave him disqualified to be considered for the office of prime minister, under section 76 (1) (a) of the Constitution if some unforeseen eventuality arises in the fortunes of the PNM as it evolves under new leadership.

In any event, Browne fled the competitive scene a bit too quickly for my liking.

Senator Dr Amery Browne.
Photo: Office of the Parliament 2024

Now to the business of pan and building on its amazing output. As it usually is, the Panorama small bands semi-finals at Victoria Square, Port of Spain, a week ago, was a joyful event. I can confirm that the crowds were one of the largest seen at and around that venue.

I endorse the observations of the president of Pan Trinbago, Beverley Ramsey-Moore, contained in last Sunday’s Newsday that “the way the thousands lined the streets: the young, the seniors, it was just a moment where you felt the energy of a positive and great Trinidad and Tobago.”

She accurately described how “the people co-mingled one with the other bringing their chairs and sitting at the roadside just enjoying family and community life”.

We have all observed a new momentum and interest in pan, as pride in the official recognition of World Steelpan Day has infused interest and momentum.

Pannist Joshua Regrello plays the steelpan in Beijing, China.

My own observation is that it is more fundamentally important than ever to capture the momentum of the thousands of young people playing and following pan for recruitment into the panyard model.

There, in addition to music, the youth can learn productive use of information technology and trades, be mentored and oriented towards positive goals in a convincing antidote to the perils of life in a gang.

It is also important to treble the investment in encouraging the establishment of pan ensembles in the schools where self-esteem is lowest.

Children receive a steelpan lesson in the President’s Pan Camp at The President’s House, St Ann’s on 17 July 2024.
Photo: OTP

I am confident that it does not matter to the estate of the late great Lloyd Best—and it certainly does not matter to me—whether rulers acknowledge the origins of the concepts of “schools in pan” and the panyard model respectively as they bandy them about. Just get on with it and attempt to save the youth of our nation.

Meanwhile, the pan export market has reacted quickly and adversely to the oppressive change in rates of Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (TT Post) for shipping pans by box.

For example, there have been immediate indications from schools in the North American market that their budgets cannot accommodate a massive shipping increase starting at US$200 per tenor pan, rising even higher for larger boxes.

Making a pan…

Schools with these budget constraints may have to cut the size of their orchestras in order to keep costs within their budget—for example cut an 18-piece band to 12.  There is of course the substantial risk that they will settle for suppliers within the United States who are already outperforming us in production.

When will the Minister of Trade and Industry engage with TT Post and Caribbean Airlines, in which the government has significant influence, and with the Pan Tuners’ Guild on this important diversification of the economy issue?

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