PNM gives Kareem nod for Laventille West
Senior Reporter
kay-marie.fletcher@guardian.co.tt
Port-of-Spain alderman and attorney Kareem Marcelle has been chosen by the People’s National Movement (PNM) to be its Laventille West candidate in the next general election.
After waiting for hours for the results to be announced, celebrations resembling an election night erupted outside Balisier House and in the streets as hundreds of supporters celebrated Marcelle’s selection ahead of opponent Dr Kadelle Jessamy.
Immediately after the results were announced, Marcelle told supporters his top priority would be bringing peace and love to the crime-ridden Laventille community.
Speaking to Guardian Media outside Balisier House, Marcelle said, “It is a testament of persons all over Port-of-Spain gathered here tonight, who, when they come back home, may not be able to cross a border or cross a street, but here they are tonight. My number one priority will be bringing back peace and love in east Port-of-Spain. If it’s one thing that will be on the top of my priority list is that.”
He added, “I am so deeply grateful. It has not been an easy road but we fought a good and clean fight. This story is not just about Kareem Marcelle. It’s about every young person from east Port-of-Spain who dare to dream and dare to try to achieve their truest potential no matter which community they come from. My father is serving a life sentence in the United States for murder and here I am today despite that being an attorney-at-law, an alderman and also to be the next Member of Parliament for Laventille West … I want to encourage all young persons to step forward and take responsibility for your community, for your home and for this country.”
He thanked the screening committee and the Laventille West constituency executive led by alderman Richard Walcott for putting their faith and confidence in him, saying he would not let them down.
“I will be a representative for all of Laventille West, no one community will be favoured. Everyone will have my fullest support.
Marcelle, who was screened along with Jessamy around 8 pm, was the lone male prospect after incumbent MP Fitzgerald Hinds withdrew his consent to be screened days ago. Marcelle had the resounding support of the Laventille West women’s league, who wanted Hinds out.
However, before he bowed out of representative politics last week, the constituency’s executive threw their support behind Hinds instead of Marcelle.
Nevertheless, Marcelle said he is looking forward to getting help from Hinds heading into the general election.
“I would not know but I want to on this occasion salute my Member of Parliament, the honourable Fitzgerald Hinds. To have served 30 years in public office is not an easy task. I respect Mr Hinds and I have love for him and I want to wish him all the best in his future endeavours because we know as a party and as a country, it is no easy task being in public service for so long,” Marcelle said.
“I intend to reach out to him in short order and also to get his guidance in some areas and where he may be able to help me because I am a young person in politics and we are going to depend and lean on all the different leaders within our party and MP Hinds I thank you, we love you and we appreciate you in the PNM. We appreciate you in Laventille West.”
Meanwhile, defeated prospect Dr Jessamy said, “It was an honour to be screened and I want to congratulate Mr Marcelle on a job well done.”
Also screened and chosen once again to represent PNM at the polls were Also chosen once again to represent PNM at the polls next year were Point Fortin MP Kennedy Richards Jr, San Fernando West MP Faris Al-Rawi, Laventille East-Morvant MP Adrian Leonce, Arima MP Pennelope Beckles, D’Abadie-O’Meara MP Lisa Morris-Julian, La Horquetta-Talparo MP Foster Cummings, Lopinot-Bon Air West MP Marvin Gonzales and St Joseph MP Terrence Deyalsingh, who were all unopposed.
San Fernando East MP Brian Manning meanwhile got the screening committee’s nod over Teresa Lynch.
Toco-Sangre Grande MP Roger Monroe was chosen over attorney Sade McQueen-Bernard and Arouca-Maloney MP Camille Robinson-Regis was selected ahead of former Arouca MP Alicia Hospedales.
In St Ann’s East, MP Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly beat Lyndon Lara, brother of cricketer Brian Lara, and Gezelle Cuffy.
Also screened by the PNM yesterday was incumbent MP Stephen McClashie, Christopher Encinas and Jillon Lewis for the La Brea constituency. However, they were all rejected by the screening committee and party groups were told to choose fresh prospects.
Incumbent MPs Esmond Forde, Senator Michael Seales and Don Isaac were being screened late last night for the Tunapuna constituency. Forde eventually got the nod from the committee.
Guardian Media was told the Tunapuna constituency executive only threw their support behind Forde yesterday.
Arima: Pennelope Beckles
Arouca-Maloney: Camille Robinson-Regis
D’Abadie-O’Meara: Lisa Morris-Julian
La Horquetta-Talparo: Foster Cummings
Laventille East-Morvant: Adrian Leonce
Laventille West: Kareem Marcelle
Lopinot-Bon Air West: Marvin Gonzales
Point Fortin: Kennedy Richards Jr
San Fernando East: Brian Manning
San Fernando West: Faris Al-Rawi
St Ann’s East: Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly
St Joseph: Terrence Deyalsingh
Toco-Sangre Grande: Roger Monroe
Tunapuna: Esmond Forde
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