PNM colleagues back Young as choice for acting PM

Senior Reporter

dareece.polo@guardian.co.tt

Cabinet members are seeking to dispel rumours suggesting they are disgruntled over Energy Minister Stuart Young’s appointment as acting Prime Minister in Dr Keith Rowley’s absence.

Young began serving as acting Prime Minister on September 1, following Rowley’s departure for the United States for routine medical tests, according to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

Former United National Congress minister Jack Warner claimed last Wednesday that Finance Minister Colm Imbert and other senior PNM members were upset by the appointment.

Imbert had traditionally served as the acting Prime Minister during Rowley’s absences over the past nine years of his tenure as PM. Young’s previous acting role was on July 28, when Rowley attended the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Grenada, while Imbert was reportedly on vacation.

Neither Young nor Imbert has publicly addressed these rumours. Young avoided reporters after the funeral service of veteran musician Roy “Pappy” Cape yesterday, leaving quickly with his security detail.

However, his cabinet colleagues voiced strong support for Rowley’s decision.

Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell, a PNM member since 2008, emphasised the party’s organisation and lack of internal conflict. He affirmed that Rowley, as Prime Minister, has the authority to appoint an acting Prime Minister and praised Young for his performance.

“We have a prime minister and his name is Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley. The prime minister in his prerogative identified minister Young to act in his stead during his absence and that is the prime minister’s prerogative.

“I think Stuart Young has done a good job, a great job actually. He is inspirational and his predecessor in acting, minister Colm Imbert has done the same. This is who we are as the PNM. There is no bacchanal. We are a very structured party, a very disciplined party,” Mitchell said.

Social Development Minister Donna Cox avoided commenting on whether Rowley would run in upcoming elections or step down after his second term, as he previously suggested. She similarly dismissed claims of discontent within the party.

“The point about it is that the choice of anybody acting as a prime minister is up to the present prime minister and as far as I’m concerned, I didn’t know that there was a vacancy so there’s no reason to be upset about anything. I don’t really answer to rumours. He (Dr Rowley) did mention at some point that he will be stepping down. He did not say when. So as far as I’m concerned, I don’t know of any vacancy,” Cox stated.

Planning and Development Minister Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, a PNM member for 34 years, dismissed Warner’s comments as “mischief” and assured the public of the party’s unity.

“You ought not to be surprised if Mr Warner says that. And I am certainly not going to get into that mischief. The point about it is we are all aware that the honourable prime minister, Dr Keith Rowley, it is totally within his discretion to select someone to act as prime minister and when he does that, we as members of the cabinet support it,” Beckles-Robinson said.

The OPM announced yesterday that Dr Rowley had returned to the country, but did not provide additional details about his health.

The post PNM colleagues back Young as choice for acting PM first appeared on CNC3.