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The People’s National Movement (PNM) has appointed Arima MP Pennelope Beckles as its opposition leader.
Beckles, 64, was endorsed by the PNM’s General Council today after producing writing support of six from the opposition’s 13 MPs: Symon de Nobriga, Marvin Gonzales, Colm Imbert, Kareem Marcelle, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, and Keith Scotland.
Photo: PNM.
The remaining MPs are Hans des Vignes, Christopher Birchwood, Brian Manning, Camille Robinson-Regis, Dominic Romain, and former prime minister Stuart Young.
On Monday 28 April, the PNM claimed 13 seats in the General Elections with the United National Congress (UNC) scooping up 26 seats while the Tobago’s People Party took two.
Beckles, in a press conference at Balisier House, said she now has the support of all 12 PNM MPs and is happy to take up the mandate. She vowed to lead a “responsible” Opposition party into Parliament.
Photo: PNM.
“There will not be a policy of obstructing for the sake of obstructing,” said Beckles. “[…] We intend to be a responsible opposition.”
Beckles’ appointment means Trinidad and Tobago now has three women in the highest positions of governance for the first time in its history. Christine Kangaloo SC is the nation’s current president while UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is poised to be sworn in as prime minister for the second time.
PNM general secretary Foster Cummings also confirmed the resignations of Dr Keith Rowley, Stuart Young and Rohan Sinan from the positions of political leader, chairman, and deputy political leader respectively.
Photo: Office of the Parliament 2024.
According to the party’s constitution, the PNM has six months to fill the post of political leader which means there will be an internal election for the party in 2025.
Beckles would not be drawn on whether she should also become PNM political leader.
Prior to the General Council meeting, Manning said he would implore the party to abandon its one man, one vote policy. However, Cummings said that no consideration is being given to amend the PNM’s constitution at present.
Copyright: PNM.
The party will allow all of its members to decide its executive positions within the next six months.
There was a late twist to a dramatic day within the PNM as Rowley, in his last act as political leader, revoked the appointments of Gadsby-Dolly and Imbert as deputy political leaders.
It leaves only Cummings, lady vice-chair Robinson-Regis and Tobago Council political leader Ancil Dennis standing within the PNM executive. All three hold elected posts, which cannot be revoked by the political leader.
Photo: PNM.
Neither Rowley nor the General Council explained the significance of the outgoing Political Leader’s parting shot.
Wired868 understands Gadsby-Dolly and Imbert both learned of their lost portfolios via social media.
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