Dr Rowley’s political future and legacy

The ongoing speculation about Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s political future might have been triggered by the hint he dropped during the Budget debate a few months ago. However, he talked about stepping from active political involvement long before that.

In his victory speech at Balisier House on election night in August 2020, after winning his second consecutive term as prime minister, Dr Rowley stated that it could “easily be my last term in politics.”

After declaring that he was “not one of those politicians who believe that when you come into office you go out feet first” and stating that he had “places to go and people to see,” Dr Rowley spoke about a period of transition in the People’s National Movement (PNM).

His words left little room for doubt that he was embarking on an exit strategy: “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.”

These were the words of a man, looking five years down the road and envisaging a changing of the guards in the party he had led since 2010.

Based on his comments at the time, there should have been more evidence by now of a transition to new leadership within the PNM. Instead, even with the screening of prospective general election candidates almost completed, there is a heavy shroud of secrecy around the political leadership of the party.

The PNM should have by now been a party in transition with a clear succession plan already being implemented. Instead, it is a party in suspense.

Speculation about the political leadership of the PNM is rife, not only among analysts and various opposition groups but even diehard party supporters.

The uncertainty extends to the Diego Martin West seat that Dr Rowley has represented for the past 33 years.

Not a good look for a party that has long been reputed to have a well-oiled election machinery.

While the screening of candidates has been proceeding at a steady clip, other indicators of preparations to face the polls have been cancelled, including the 51st annual convention and internal election.

Then there is all the debate about future PNM political leaders, with Energy Minister Stuart Young and Youth Development Minister Foster Cumming reported to be the frontrunners.

At age 75, with a political career that has spanned many significant periods in T&T’s post-Independence period, Dr Rowley’s focus should not only be on his future but his legacy.

He should be mindful of the less-than-impressive departures of previous PNM political leaders through sudden death and heavy political defeats and aim for a more seamless passing of the baton.

The speculation and uncertainty only feed into perceptions of instability that no party can afford this close to an election. That is why Dr Rowley should not leave the country—and his party—in suspense for much longer.

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