[UPDATED] PNM PIPS UNC

PNM political leader and prime minister-elect Dr Keith Rowley said last night that the country had made the right choice by returning the party to governance. Dr Rowley declared victory at 10.30 pm to a small number of supporters at Balisier House.

He said the party won had 22 of the 41 seats, down from 23 in the 2015 general election, “against all odds,” to the United National Congress’ (UNC) 19 seats (up from 18 in the last election). UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Monday night said she was not conceding defeat, as UNC candidates were seeking recounts in three constituencies.

None of the other 17 parties or four independents who contested the election were able to secure any seats. Rowley pointed out that 21 seats is a majority and thanked the country for its support. “In a most difficult situation we have once again been called to service the people of TT.”

The government had to overcome obstacles for the period 2010-2015, he recalled, but the party stayed the course. He added that Monday’s results confirmed his faith in the population. “I have always said that the people of TT can be trusted to do the right thing when called upon so to do.”

He thanked his wife Sharon, who was standing by his side, for holding his hand when he felt he would falter, and for keeping his spirits up. He also thanked party officers, including PRO Laurel Lezama-Lee Sing, campaign manager Rohan Sinanan and deputy political leaders.

He added the number of seats does not reflect the PNM’s performance across the country. He was told the party had doubled its votes in Chaguanas West, he said, and addressed defeated candidate Rackeal Bissoon and the other unsuccesful PNM candidates: “You are winners. Your party has won the general election.”

He added it was a pleasure to lead all 41 candidates into battle. “Ordinarily we would be here in our thousands to celebrate this victory. “But tonight is a different night. This election took place in a different time. It took place during a pandemic.” Rowley said from reports people conducted themselves properly and the election is now safely out of the way. It also appeared, he said, a number of senior citizens did not participate as they would have liked to. “Our young people have come to the fore, and this victory is largely as a result of the involvement of our young people.”

DARK DAYS AHEAD

He said the future in TT is bright, but there are difficult days ahead. “But as dark clouds that brings thunderstorms and lightning we have behind that, the bright sunshine and the warmth. So the passage of the storm is to be survived and the good weather after is to be enjoyed.”

The projections, he warned, were that the next two years will be very difficult, but during that period government will be required to do certain things that will put the country in a better position to enjoy the rest of that future guaranteed to the population. He later added: “Tough times don’t last forever but tough people do.”

He also urged people to move past Monday’s election. “We will wake up tomorrow morning and the elections will be behind us, (but) let us get back to being one people under God, working together to build this blessed nation of TT. In this period more than any other, let us put aside personal slights, let us put aside personal wants, and look at the national need, especially of those persons who are least able to look after themselves.”

The priority of the government was to ensure that all those who call TT home will live in respect and dignity. He added changes to the economy will be made so all will be lifted by “the rising tide of the future” and all can say, “Mother TT is good to all of us. The priority is to ensure that no one is left behind.”

He said government has made certain commitments to the people of TT and intended to keep them. “By God, we are going to do what we say we are going to do.”

POSSIBLY MY LAST

Rowley also spoke about his personal future and career. “This, ladies and gentlemen, could easily be my last term in politics. I’m not one of those politicians who believe that when you come into office you go out feet first.”

He said that he has “places to go and people to see,” and then hugged his wife. Rowley added he has a commitment to ensure the new term is a period of transition in the PNM.

“As the longest-serving member in the Parliament who will continue to serve another term, I have a duty and responsibility during this term to fashion the PNM’s future by ensuring our young people are developed in such a way that when I am no longer in a position to announce an election victory, that the country will not be deprived of the leadership that it deserves.”

He added despite the period of transition he will not shirk his responsibility to the people of TT as prime minister. He promised after he is sworn in to continue to provide the country with stable and sober leadership.

“Let us feel proud as a people that our democracy has worked. We’ve selected our leaders peacefully and quietly, and we’ll put our shoulders to the wheel and we will overcome whatever difficulty stands in our way. We are one people.”

He reiterated while government came from the PNM it is not government for the PNM but for TT.

In more hints of what to expect in the new government’s term, he promised young people that during this period the country will be digitised and this will be reflected in Cabinet appointments. He also promised them there will be training programmes and expansion of the economy into agriculture, both which will be reflected in the Cabinet and the budget.

He said again the government will be preparing a budget as its first assignment. “And I ask you to be patient. I ask you to be supportive. “I ask you to leave behind all the aggravations of the elections. Leave that baggage behind. “Let us look ahead, firm in the gaze that we are looking at a future, a future which all of us have committed to. And a future which says to us that we ought to have boundless faith in our destiny. That destiny is largely in our hands.”

This story was originally published with the title "22-19: Rowley declares election victory" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

PEOPLE'S National Movement leader Dr Keith Rowley has declared victory in the 2020 general election.

He made the declaration at 10.30 pm to a small nunber of supporters at Balisier House.

He said the party had won 22 of the 41 seats, down from 23 in the 2015 general election, "against all odds."

He did not specify which seats had been won, and said "one or two areas need to be tied up." But he added that 21 is a majority, and he thanked the country for its support.

"In a most difficult situation, we have once again been called to service the people of TT."

Rowley said the win had not been an easy task nor an easy win, but the party stayed the course. He added the people of TT can be trusted to do the right thing when called upon so to do.

He thanked his wife Sharon for keeping his spirit up and also thanked his party officers and party campaign manager Rohan Sinanan.

He added the number of seats did not reflect the PNM's performance across the country.