PNM to be led by a woman for the first time

PORT OF SPAIN (CMC):

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles is on the verge of becoming the first woman ever to head the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) after she was nominated unopposed for the position late Monday.

Beckles, who 11 years ago had challenged the former prime minister, Dr Keith Rowley, for the post, told reporters that while she felt “a little emotional”, it was a privilege and an honour to vie for party leadership. “I am looking forward to it.”

Political observers had said her challenge this time round would have come from former Prime Minister Stuart Young, who led the then PNM government into defeat in the April 28 general election.

But in a statement on his Facebook page, Young said he would not be contesting any position on the executive of the party, thanking “sincerely … the thousands of people who have communicated with me over the past few weeks offering support, well wishes, encouragement and even advice as to my future.

“I have taken the time immediately after the results of the general election to engage in personal reflection and, importantly, to observe the conduct of people, particularly those who seek positions that carry responsibility.”

The senior counsel, who served as prime minister for a month, said that after considered reflection, as well as discussions with “my family and loved ones, I have concluded that it is not in the best interest of the party for me to seek a post in the new executive.

“Accordingly, at this juncture I will not be seeking a post in the PNM’s internal elections,” he said, adding “I will continue to fulfill my duties and responsibilities to my constituents, as an elected member of parliament, to the country that I love and represent, and to my party, the PNM”.

Beckles, an attorney, will assume the leadership role of the PNM on June 22 when the elections are held ahead of the special convention set for June 29.

The head of the Elections Supervisory Committee, Richard Walcott, in a statement on Monday night, confirmed Beckles as the only contender to be PNM leader.

“The process was constant and smooth with 51 party members offering themselves for nomination to accept leadership positions in our great party. The Honourable Pennelope Beckles was the sole nominee for the position of political leader and was therefore nominated unopposed,” Walcott said.

The PNM was formed on January 15, 1956 by Dr Eric Williams, described as the “Father of the Nation”. It won the 1956 General Elections and went on to hold power for an unbroken 30 years. After the death of Williams in 1981, George Chambers led the party, followed by Patrick Manning, Rowley and Young.