Penny takes over first-ever female PNM leader today

ONE WEEK after Pennelope Beckles’ One PNM slate swept the internal election, the party heads to its special national convention on June 29 at City Hall, Port of Spain, from 1.30 pm.

At the historic event, Beckles, 63, will be officially installed as the PNM’s first female political leader, after having contested the position in the internal election unopposed.

Beckles will also deliver her inaugural address as political leader.

The other members of the party’s new executive are also expected be formally installed.

The convention takes place amid reported rifts within the PNM’s hierarchy and wider membership following the party’s crushing defeat to the UNC coalition in the April 28 general election, which many felt was announced too soon.

Prior to the convention, Beckles will host a legal clinic at the Lisas Gardens Community Centre, Couva for the recently terminated contractors of Cepep Company Ltd. On June 27, 360 contractors were terminated leaving 10,500 workers jobless.

The PNM won just 13 seats, losing several of its strongholds, including Point Fortin, La Brea and La Horquetta/Talparo. The UNC won the election with 26 seats while the fledgling Tobago People’s Party (TPP) won the two Tobago seats.

There was also a low voter turnout in the PNM’s internal election with only seven per cent of eligible voters participating.

Richard Walcott, PNM’s elections supervisory committee chairman, reported that over 7,000 of the party’s 100,200 eligible voters took part in the election.

Many felt this was not a good sign.

As such, Beckles assumes the leadership at a crucial juncture in the PNM’s 69-year history.

Apart from mending the reported fractures, she must also outline a strategy to rebuild the party and reposition it for governance.

Regarding the latter, Beckles has already signalled there will be no grace period for the new executive under her watch.

Not business at usual

In an interview, she acknowledged the hurt and frustration being experienced by the PNM’s members and supporters, saying,“This will not be business as usual. We have work to do and work we will do.”

She said each member of the new executive also will be required to submit his or her work plan for the term within the first three months.

Beckles said she intends to conduct a strategic session and retreat with the new executive within that time frame too.

She also plans to meet with the leadership and members of the various organs of the party, including the youth league, the legislative group, the Women’s League and the Tobago Council before September 2025 “so that we can all be operating with one common goal, sufficiently equipped to navigate through this digital revolution of the 21stst century.”

She said the PNM’s Constitution, when activated and followed, prescribes a number of committees of the general council and of the central executive.

“These will be activated and made to function properly. There are other tools available to the party as per the Constitution and you will hear more about that at our special convention on June 29.”

Asked if she anticipates a tough journey ahead in rebuilding the party, Beckles was optimistic.

“I look forward to a journey of collective healing and growth. Ours is no easy task. The population has always depended on the PNM to get it right on their behalf and this time around is no exception.”

Beckles, who is also the Opposition Leader and Arima MP, said she does not have all of the answers but is willing to meet with those interested in moving the PNM forward.

“I continue to leave the doors wide open for all who have an interest in rebuilding the party and returning the country to good governance. All who are willing and able, I invite you to come, let us work together and let us rebuild our party together.

“Let us reconnect with our people and with all of the people and together, let us develop a new strategic vision for the Trinidad and Tobago of this new era.”

On her style of leadership, Beckles said, “I have always been known to be a hard worker who is always on the ground. This translates into a leadership style that encourages listening to the people. It is one that creates a space for collaboration and new ideas and it is one that harnesses talent and potential, especially amongst the younger people.”

She regarded her rise to political leader as not just a turning point for the party but a victory for women.

“In our party’s history, this is the first time that a woman will ascend to the helm as political leader of the PNM. This is no ordinary run of the mill situation. It is a watershed moment that symbolises a brave and bold step forward. It honours our party’s strong legacy.”

Beckles added, “It is tangible evidence of the work and labour of women, starting with Isabel Techier and continuing through the seven decades with the thousands of women who have carried this party, its stories, its history, its success, its sorrows, its nuances and its peculiarities.

“It is the manifestation of embracing the strength, the inclusivity and the renewal needed to rebuild. It shows that the PNM is not just ready for change, it has boldly stepped into a brand, new era. And it is a magnificent privilege and honour to be charged with this duty.”

She told Newsday her family has always been involved in public service in one form or another.

“I was born into a family of activism. My father, Lionel Beckles, was the general secretary of the OWTU (Oilfields Workers' Trade Union). My mother, the doting wife that she was, turned our home into an unofficial community centre and many came there as a place of solace, respite and counsel. It was there, as a little girl, that I witnessed first-had the importance and effectiveness of activism and service.”

Beckles said 37 years ago, in 1988, she qualified as an attorney and was called to the Bar. She joined the PNM three years later and in 1992, became the local government representative for the Arima North East electoral district.

“There has been no turning back. This life of noble service through decent politics is what I have chosen or is what has chosen me.”

Stamp of authority necessary

PNM founding member Ferdie Ferreira said Beckles is likely to have a tough fight in rebuilding the party.

“To be quite honest, the PNM is fractured,” he told Newsday.

“While there have been fractures before, from my experience, this fracture is deeper than any previous one.”

Ferreira said based on the turnout of voters for the internal election, Beckles did not get overwhelming support.

“That is something that has to be looked at carefully in terms of how you proceed. There is an element in there – and make no mistake about it – there is an anti-Penny element in the party and there is a pro-Stuart Young element. And the number one priority is to close that gap. Nobody eh fooling nobody. There is an obvious rift between the two elements.”

Young was appointed as prime minister in March after a PNM parliamentary caucus in Tobago in January. He called a snap election a day after his appointment and led the party to a resounding defeat. His mentor and predecessor, Dr Rowley, resigned as political leader after the election defeat paving the way for the party's internal elections.

Ferriera believes the rift in the party can be resolved.

“They have the time to do it. But it will all depend on the quality of the leadership and the leader is the one that has to do it.”

Ferreira said while there has been much talk about reunification, he has not seen any moves yet in this regard.

“I have not seen any clear signal yet on how they intend to do that. They talking but the leader has to reach out to these people.”

He recalled when TT’s first prime minister Dr Eric Williams died in March 1981, his successor George Chambers came in and “immediately took command, saying that what is wrong must be put right.”

Ferreira said, “He (Chambers) said, ‘The fete is over, back to work. Immediately, he stamped his authority on the party and it fell in line. The same thing happened when (Patrick) Manning took over from 33-3 (PNM’s defeat to the NAR in 1986), although there were some who felt she should have been made leader.

“It’s the same thing with (Dr Keith) Rowley after the 2010 election when Manning was rejected by the general council. Rowley took command and the party fell in line quickly. We have not seen that yet.”

He said Beckles’ responsibility now is to take command of the party and say, ‘I am in charge, I am the leader, bring all the children, legitimate or illegitimate politically. Bring all of the children home.”

Ferreira said he, like the rest of the PNM’s supporters and members, will be waiting to hear her plan for reuniting and rebuilding the party.

“There, she will have the opportunity, like the previous leaders, to stamp her authority on the party.”

He said the turnout to the convention would likely reflect the support for Beckles’ leadership.

“If the turnout is poor, it is a bad signal. If the turnout is large, as has been formerly done even after the 33-3 in 1986, the convention hall was full.

“The responsibility is on the leader to set up the formula first for the reunification of the party and to recover the 100,000 votes that they lost in the general election. That 100,000 is still there. They didn’t vote for the other side. They just didn’t vote. But the major problem now is to unify the party. You could only go forward with a reunification.”

New party executive

Political Leader – Pennelope Beckles

Chairman – Marvin Gonzales

Vice-Chairman – Dr Amery Browne

Lady Vice-Chairman – Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly

General Secretary – Foster Cummings

Assistant General Secretary – Patricia Alexis

Treasurer – Nal Ramsingh

Education Officer – Jelani Reid

Public Relations Officer – Faris Al Rawi

Social Media Officer – Symon De Nobriga

Election Officer – Indar Parasram

Field Officer – Curtis Shade

Welfare Officer – Maxine Richards

Labour Relations Officer – Kenneth Deoraj

Youth Officer – Kareem Marcelle

Operations Officer – Irene Hinds