Amanda Gorman, aged 27, is a poet, writer and activist.  She was the first US national youth poet laureate.  She frequently urges that society turn away from divisiveness. I heard Amanda Gorman speak at the widely televised US Democratic Party National Convention last year. She said this: “Empathy emancipates, making …

Our changes of government frequently receive a verdict of “no change only exchange”. The current apparent dead end in the search for a gas supply to revive certain of our petrochemical industries is illustrative of the peril of governments having no appetite for fundamental reform. Added to all the unimaginative …

Dear Kamla, Fifteen years ago, at the time of your first election as prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago (PM), I greeted you in a column published on 13 June 2010, in which I explained why I may take the liberty of addressing you in familiar terms. Let me begin …

In October last year, almost immediately after a strong intimation in Parliament from then People’s National Movement (PNM) prime minister Dr Keith Rowley that he was having his swansong and would be leaving the Parliament, the PNM tersely announced that: “its 51st Annual Convention, as well as the internal election, …

Throughout the now concluded last week of campaigning for tomorrow’s general election, the lack of articulation on the campaign platforms of specific plans has persisted, as has the nastiness. It is not clear how the competing parties will deal with violent crime, drastic revenue shortfall in the economy, foreign exchange …

The official and unsurprising collapse of the proposed Dragon gas and related Venezuelan gas supply arrangements, three weeks before the next General Election, should in normal circumstances cost the incumbent Peoples’ National Movement (PNM) the election. However, we have an Opposition, the United National Congress (the UNC), led by Kamla …

In response to several requests, I comment on the now established maladministration of the Ayers-Caesar situation and I also expand on the provisions of section 57 of the Constitution, to which I referred last week in connection with the introduction into the Cabinet of a new finance minister. Marcia Ayers-Caesar …

Twenty-four hours after his appointment by virtue of section 76(1) (a) of the Constitution to replace former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, new prime minister Stuart Young called the next general election for April 28. This Young move is probably a good move for his prospects to be re-appointed as …

Stuart Young is on the eve of becoming prime minister. This will be the result of a process designed to have him appointed under section 76 (1) (a) of the Constitution and behind which the Members of the House of Representatives of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) appear to …

Stuart Young SC, member of the House of Representatives and currently minister of Energy and minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, is set to succeed Dr Keith Rowley as prime minister once Rowley resigns in one week’s time, as he has committed to do. On condition that Young …

Carnival Sunday 2025 is upon us. It falls within a period so violent that it compels me to begin this column with a prayer that, in keeping with the Carnival season so far, our two days of artistry and celebration in the streets will take place without violent disruption attributable …

Current reality is significantly at odds with the much touted joy and unity of Carnival. It is front and centre of its own stage, which grimly rivals the dazzling Carnival stages. Such reality can no longer be easily pushed aside and become invisible during the Carnival season. The murderous challenges …