New Opposition Leader for T&T

Jun 03, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
Trinidad’s oldest political party, the Peoples National Movement (PNM) which was founded over 50 years ago by among others, the late Dr. Eric Williams, is expected to have a new interim political leader this week until a convention in June chooses a regular leader. That leader will go on to become Opposition Leader of the House.
Defeated Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who reigned from 1987 until this week, submitted his resignation after he led the party to a humiliating defeat a week ago in a snap general election with 30 months remaining in his term.
Manning said he accepts responsibility for the defeat and feels it only appropriate to step down, which is quite different from political leaders in Guyana and several other societies.
All indications are that Dr Keith Rowley, of Tobago, is expected to succeed Manning. Rowley was Manning’s deputy during the 1990s when the PNM was returned to office after a humiliating defeat in 1986. After the PNM was defeated by Basdeo Panday’s UNC in a snap election in November 1995, Rowley led an unsuccessful effort in 1996 to topple Manning as leader and the two of them have had a war of words ever since. The PNM was returned to office in December 2001 with Rowley backing Manning. But Rowley accused Manning’s government of corruption in 2008 and Manning sacked him from the cabinet in 2009.
Rowley called for an investigation into corruption leading to an official inquiry that criticised the government forcing Manning to call early elections last week and his defeat.
NACTA conducted an opinion poll over the last few days to find out peoples views on who should replace Manning as leader, and Rowley leads, followed by former Member of Parliament Penny Beckles. Other contenders were Colm Imbert, the outgoing Majority Leader, and Dr. Amery Browne, a rising star.
Rowley, who is loved by the African grass roots, has very little support among Indians, but Beckles enjoys support among all ethnic groups and many feel she will be a better leader.
However, Beckles is not a MP having been denied a seat by Manning. Beckles had represented the safe Arima seat since December 1991 until Manning pulled the plug from her last month resulting in the loss of the seat. Arimans told Manning “No Penny, No vote” and they held to their word with one of the lowest voter turnouts among all the seats. So Rowley is going to be the new Opposition Leader and is likely to win the leadership contest in a special delegate Assembly in late June.
Last week, a mob went after Manning jeering and taunting him forcing him to take shelter and getting police protection. Most people interviewed by NACTA, including supporters of Kamla, the new Prime Minister, condemned acts of hooliganism against manning.
Everyone felt Manning should be treated with dignity as a former PM, but eagerly look forward for a new PNM leader.
Vishnu Bisram

Latest News

New Opposition Leader for T&T

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

NSC, Office of the DPP to host Criminal Law and Sexual Offences Act...

Lucas Chung maintains strong standing at 2nd...

Farm Supplies Ltd. supports Bartica Regatta 2025

Legislation and Investment: Trinidad to Brazil,...

Three more matches billed for this weekend

CM Khan rules at 2025 National Blitz Chess...

Features/Columnists

“One Guyana” is no less a national slogan than “Green Guyana”

If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?

Partner v. investor

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

New Opposition Leader for T&T

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]