In a significant departure from traditional campaign rallies, People’s National Movement (PNM) Political Leader Penny Robinson-Beckles, currently unopposed for the leadership, hosted an interactive meeting in Buccoo on Tuesday night, openly inviting questions and feedback from the Tobago constituency. Her address, marked by candor and a pledge for a more engaged leadership, aimed to reconnect with a Tobago populace feeling increasingly alienated.
Robinson-Beckles, poised to officially become Political Leader on June 29th, wasted no time in tackling contentious issues. She directly addressed concerns surrounding her decision to run with a slate of candidates, a move that has drawn criticism within some party circles. Drawing parallels to past PNM leaders such as Dr. Eric Williams, Mr. Manning, and Dr. Rowley, who also ran with slates, she asserted, “Having a slate does not mean that you cannot choose who you want. All it means is that the political leader is saying to you that I have these group of people that I’m comfortable to work with.” She urged party members to trust her judgment, comparing the reluctance to accept her team to a partner unwilling to embrace one’s children.
A pivotal point of her address, was her unvarnished acknowledgment of the PNM’s recent electoral setbacks on the island. “There’s more hurting in Tobago,” she stated bluntly, highlighting the pain of losing both Members of Parliament and transitioning from full control of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) to holding just one seat. “When you move from two to zero, or when we move from in total control of the THA to have one person, after years of continuous control and after breaking a mold where Mr. McKenzie was the lone person for many years and we brought ourselves to where we were and then we take a dive, it had to be painful.”
Robinson-Beckles recognized the unique challenges faced by PNM supporters in Tobago, a small island where political affiliation can lead to “branding” and perceived ostracization. “Sometimes you can’t get nothing because you are branded PNM,” she sympathized.
In a direct bid to rebuild trust and address past grievances, the Political Leader-designate committed to fundamental changes in the party’s approach to Tobago. “One of the things that we have to work on is the improvement between the Tobago Council and the Trinidad leadership,” she declared, promising that under her watch, the leadership would meet in Tobago more often and the General Council would increase its visits. She also pledged to hold regular office hours in Tobago, ensuring direct accessibility for members.
Robinson-Beckles, the first female Political Leader in the PNM’s nearly 70-year history, emphasized her extensive political experience, spanning 34 years and various ministerial portfolios, including Culture and Tourism, Public Utilities and the Environment, and Housing. She highlighted her past contributions to Tobago, citing her involvement in establishing the tourism sector committee, facilitating the drilling of wells to address water shortages, and her role in the protection of the Main Ridge. She even pointed out her recent signing of a $315 million loan as Governor of the Inter-American Development Bank, which will benefit projects in Roxborough and Goldsborough.
The floor was then opened for questions. Richard Boris from Dallas Spring commended Robinson-Beckles’ embrace of change, stating, “change is a process, but transformation is a miracle.” Another attendee raised concerns about “false narratives” surrounding the PNM’s performance and the influence of “vicious critics” in the media. Robinson-Beckles acknowledged the party’s weakness in marketing its successes, citing examples like the $1 billion investment in two new fast ferries, the nearly $200 million spent on the Roxborough and Scarborough facilities, and the $1.3 billion airport project. “It is not that they do not know, you know, but when it comes to an election and people want to win, they are prepared to lie, they are prepared to mislead, they are prepared to misinform, all because they want to get into office,” she asserted.
Kevon Phillips raised a crucial point about the party’s appeal to younger generations who may not be aware of past achievements. He stressed the “undeniable dissension amongst the core membership” and the low voter turnout, questioning the strategy to regain their trust. Robinson-Beckles reiterated her commitment to listening more, improving relationships, and addressing the perception that the PNM “no longer cared about a lot of their members.” She spoke of the need to “educate the members through the party groups and through the various mechanisms about what it is the government has done,” and to pay more attention to issues critical to Tobagonians, such as autonomy.
As the meeting concluded, Robinson-Beckles underscored the importance of unity within the party, stating, “a house that is divided will fall and we cannot move forward.” Her direct engagement and acknowledgment of past shortcomings signal a new approach for the PNM as it seeks to rebuild its support base, particularly in Tobago, ahead of upcoming elections. The upcoming internal elections on Sunday, June 22nd., will be a crucial test of her mandate and her “one PNM team” vision.
