PNM stalwart urges Rowley to end talk on his political future

The Prime Minister should end all the talk and speculation about his political future with a clear statement.

This was the view of several commentators, including People’s National Movement stalwart Ferdie Ferreira, yesterday, after a Sunday Guardian report cited sources within the party as saying Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne was tipped to be screened for the Diego Martin West seat, where Rowley is currently the incumbent.

Ferreira warned that speculation will continue until the Prime Minister makes his stance concerning his political future clear.

“All he has to do is to tell the constituency and, by extension, the party and the national community; I am no longer available for screening for the next general election,” Ferreira said.

“A simple answer to the question, a simple statement as political leader or the member for Diego Martin West. He could say it verbally, he could put it in writing, I wish to inform you that I’m no longer available for screening or to be your representative any longer. A simple statement will avoid all the speculation.”

He continued, “So until such time as such a statement is made by the political leader, what we engage in is speculation. He has not yet said as far as I am aware, that he’s not available for screening or he’s not available to lead the party.”

Guardian Media reached out to the Prime Minister via text for a comment on the matter yesterday but got no response.

Calls were also made to several prominent members of the PNM, including Ministers Foster Cummings and Faris Al-Rawi, but those attempts went unanswered.

However, Browne took to social media to respond to the article, saying, “I wish to categorically state that I have not been approached by the constituency of Diego Martin West with respect to nomination as an electoral candidate, and I have had no such conversations or intentions or “blessings.”

He added, “Anything published to suggest otherwise is at best speculation or at worst the result of pure and deliberate MISCHIEF.”

The Prime Minister had hinted he would be leaving politics during the Budget debate. One day later, the PNM announced the cancellation of its 51st annual convention and internal election.

This has left unanswered questions, not just about Dr Rowley’s political future but also that of the leadership of the PNM, where Stuart Young and Foster Cummings’ names have been raised as possible future party leaders.

Ferreira, who is 92, said the current situation drew parallels to Dr Eric Williams’ decision to reverse his retirement plans in the 1970s. Ferreira felt that situation led to a fragmentation within the party which eventually fuelled the rise of the Organisation for National Reconstruction (ONR).

Political analysts were also reluctant to comment on the situation, as they pointed out the Prime Minister had not made a clear statement that he was not re-contesting his seat.

Dr Bishnu Ragoonath noted that Rowley previously suggested he was leaving before the 2020 election but still stood for re-election.

“He did it in 2020 when he said he’s not contesting, and lo and behold, he contested. So, there’s what I call a trust deficit in believing without seeing it formally that he has withdrawn or has asked not to be nominated,” Ragoonath said.

However, he felt Browne would be a suitable candidate given his experience as an MP previously.

“Yes, he’s qualified. He has served as a member of parliament. But the fact of the matter is simply that I cannot say whether or not the party will accept him, whether the party will reject him, and whether the constituency will accept him or reject him,” Ragoonath said.

Dr Indira Rampersad agreed Browne could be a suitable candidate but said, “It’s difficult to give a perspective on rumours. I prefer to analyse facts. What I can say is he would be a good candidate. I think he’s pretty well-liked and like his name, Amery, he is amiable. So I think he would be a pretty good candidate.”

Dr Winford James similarly felt the matter seemed to be more speculation concerning the Prime Minister’s future than Browne’s suitability to be a candidate, as he felt the Foreign Affairs Minister had largely conducted himself well in public office.

“He is a diplomat because he’s Foreign Affairs Minister, he comes across as a man that is a gentleman. He doesn’t get involved in any row and so on. There are no problems with his interactions with Caricom leaders and so on. He’s well spoken. He probably is knowledgeable,” said Dr James, who also felt discussing Browne’s suitability to replace Rowley in Diego Martin West was deeply speculative.

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