Political scientist Derek Ramsamooj does not believe the Prime Minister will call a general election before the next national budget presentation later this year.
As he sees it, there are some policies, such as the property tax, that must be fully implemented and accepted by the electorate, particularly in the strategic seats that are needed for the People’s National Movement (PNM) to return to power.
Ramsamooj believes there must also be a proper analysis of the level of preparedness within the Tobago electorate before any such decision is taken. The PNM controls the Tobago East and West seats in the House of Representatives.
“That will be one of the decision factors as to how strong the PNM has maintained its support in the Tobago electorate,” he told Sunday Newsday.
Ramsamooj was commenting on the closing portion of Rowley’s address on March 7 during a PNM political meeting at Tropical Angel Harps Pan Yard, Chaguanas, in which he announced that the party is in election mode. The next general election is constitutionally due in 2025.
[caption id="attachment_1069238" align="alignnone" width="900"] Derek Ramsamooj -[/caption]
Rowley, who has served as prime minister for the past eight and a half years, told supporters, “As we go forward, an election is due sometime soon. You will be advised and when you are advised you will be energised. And when you are energised you will know your interest lies with the political party that took us to Independence, took us to Republican status, took us through all of our difficulties and is responsible for all of the positives that you can point to in Trinidad and Tobago. Ladies and gentlemen, that party is the People’s National Movement.”
Saying the upcoming general election may be the most significant in TT’s history, Rowley said
PNM, in or out of government, has always put the country first.
He singled out the government’s handling of the covid19 pandemic, boasting there was no scandal in its financial support to non-essential workers.
In moving forward, Rowley said, the party will be focusing on policies and programmes.
“From here on in you will be educated from a PNM platform.”
He hinted that constitutional reform could usher in a new era of governance in TT under the PNM.
Rowley said on March 8, he received a letter from Barendra Sinanan, chairman of the national advisory committee on constitution reform, saying that the process had begun.
The eight-member committee is inviting individuals and corporate citizens to submit their recommendations. It will then be synthesised and compiled into a working document for a national constitution conference in June.
The PM said, “I, as Prime Minister, will put in my comments. My party will put in its comments and the various entities in the country. We will get a basket of comments and the PNM government and all those, including the Opposition, will get this opportunity to put in your position and your comments.”
Rowley said every comment will be treated with respect.
“Then we, as a people, will dec
