Davidson-Celestine claims no infighting in PNM Tobago

Newly appointed Tobago House of Assembly (THA) councillor Tracy Davidson-Celestine claims there is no infighting in the People's National Movement (PNM) on the island. Davidson-Celestine, who became leader of the party's Tobago Council after winning the January 26 internal election runoff against Kelvin Charles, said the PNM is a democratic organisation."We would have had our elections.

There is a winner and I would expect that the members of the PNM would give support to the new political leader and also the process we would be engaging in the not so distant future, which is the general election and the Tobago House of Assembly election," she told reporters on Wednesday after taking the oath of office at the Assembly Legislature in Scarborough.

There have been reports of infighting within the party's fold, particularly after Davidson-Celestine became leader with the backing of Deputy Chief Secretary Joel Jack and former THA presiding officer Dr Denise Tsoiafatt Angus, both of whom had unsuccessfully contested the leadership.

Charles, the Black Rock/Whim/Spring Garden representative, has since agreed to step down as Chief Secretary at the end of next month. However, he is likely to remain as Secretary for Education, Innovation and Energy.

It is widely speculated that Jack will be elected as the new Chief Secretary. Davidson-Celestine told reporters the position will be determined in the upcoming weeks. The newly-appointed councillor said she is willing to embrace all."As I would have said on all of my platforms and in all of my speeches, I am a very all-inclusive individual and I have grown up in the community. I understand the needs, the wishes, the desires of our people in Tobago. And I will try to ensure that I use my office to continue to meet the desires of the Tobago public as much as possible."Davidson-Celestine said she is also in discussions with Tsoiafatt Angus."She (Tsoiafatt Angus) remains very committed to the process and we are still in discussions."