Nunez-Tesheira: Young’s race a sore point for PNM supporters

As political rumours swirl over whether Energy and Energy Industries Minister Stuart Young will succeed Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley as leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM), one former party member has raised concerns about the implications of Young’s racial origin for those who might oppose him.

Former PNM finance minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira yesterday confronted the contentious notion that Young would find it difficult securing leadership because the PNM is perceived as an Afro-Trinidadian party, noting that the United National Congress (UNC) was seen as the Indo-Trinidadian alternative to the PNM.

Nunez-Tesheira noted that some within the PNM view Young, who is of Asian descent, as the favoured candidate of the party’s financiers—the so-called “one per cent.” His relatively recent entry into the party, having joined in 2014 as a temporary senator, also raises questions about his readiness for leadership.

“There are people there (in PNM) who have been there 10, 15, 20 years… let’s be frank, there’s issues of race involved in that too. And whether or not the PNM should be seen as a Black party or not, it is seen as a Black party… as the UNC is seen as an East Indian party, whether or not that should be so,” she said.

As the PNM appears poised for a leadership transition, Nunez-Tesheira acknowledged the existence of at least two factions within the party that might challenge Young. “There certainly is an impression that there is internal wrangling for the position of the leadership,” she said.

While she could not speculate on how Dr Rowley might ensure Young’s succession, she reminded the public that a prime minister is appointed based on support within the Lower House. She said she believed the cancellation of the convention was a strategic move to maintain unity within the party.

“I think holding off the internal convention has a lot to do with the internal wrangling in the party. I think it’s an indication that there’s a lot of friction within the party that they need to resolve and that if it is that this one young man, Stuart Young, is the anointed one, I do not think a lot of the persons who are in the Cabinet are in agreement with that,” she said.

Nunez-Tesheira anticipates elections to be called after Carnival, but is uncertain how Dr Rowley will navigate the party’s challenges before then. She also expressed doubts about Young’s suitability as a leader.

Political analyst Winford James meanwhile criticised Rowley for hinting at a possible departure from the party without a definitive statement.

“They drop hints here and there and then expect us not to talk about it, wasting a lot of good time. I am not in favour of politicians doing that – playing with people’s emotions and people’s time,” James said.

He noted that younger party members might hesitate to express support for potential leaders due to fears of internal repercussions.

“The younger people in the party who are followers will not take the chance because they might think that they might get their throat cut if they were to take the chance of recommending themselves or recommending others. So, in a sense, it might be that Dr Rowley’s trying to see who will put their neck out. But, it’s not only a PNM matter, it’s a country matter,” he added.

Reflecting on the party’s history, political scientist Dr Bishnu Ragoonath observed that its national convention is typically skipped only in election years, suggesting that T&T may be approaching another election. He pointed out that while the PNM was actively preparing for electoral challenges the Opposition was stagnated.

“The PNM is putting their house in order knowing full well that an election comes like a thief in the night. Nobody knows when it’s coming except the prime minister, and if the prime minister has put things in order and the Opposition wants to play cat and mouse and do whatever it wants to do, that’s the Opposition’s problem,” he said.

Party members

mum on PM future

Amidst these discussions, senior PNM member Esmond Forde yesterday refused to address the issue of the party’s leadership, saying PM Rowley had not indicated his intention to resign.

“He has not officially announced he’s stepping down. Has he?” Forde said.

However, he expressed confidence that the national convention will still take place, just not on the originally scheduled date of November 17.

“Well, it’s one part of democracy, you know what I mean. And I’m sure a new date will be given,” he said outside Parliament.

Other party members were tight-lipped about the PM’s impending departure from politics.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh stated, “The party hierarchy, general secretary and chairman can speak to those issues. They can speak to those issues. I will not be speaking to those issues.”

When asked whom he would support if the Prime Minister stepped down, he said, “That has not occurred. I don’t know why the media is inventing all these scenarios. The PNM is a disciplined party and procedure will be followed.”

Labour Minister Stephen McClashie noted, “Well, we await more information. Now it is much too early to say and that does not arise at this point.”

Minister in the Ministry of Finance Brian Manning simply said, “No comment, have a good day.”

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