PNM lady vice-chairman Camille Robinson-Regis has said claims about chaos in the party after its annual convention was cancelled have been greatly exaggerated.
She made this comment on October 21.
Robinson-Regis said, "It’s important to clarify that the decision to postpone the convention was made by the leadership of the party, with the best interests of the party and its members in mind. It was a strategic decision. The leadership remains committed to ensuring that the tenets of democracy which is fundamental to the effective functioning of our great party are adhered to."
The matter, she continued, was voted upon by the party's general council which is the highest decision-making body of the PNM outside of a convention.
Robinson-Regis said, "When the question was respectfully put to the vote, the majority view prevailed. That was to agree with the decision of the leadership of the party to cancel the convention."
She added, "This is democracy at work. The majority voted for one against and a few abstained. All part of the democratic process."
Robinson-Regis said, "It must be remembered that the democratic process allows for the majority view, the minority view and even those who abstain."
She added, "It is unfortunate that those who are clamouring for democracy refuse to accept that their minority position is also part of the democratic process and the least they should do in furtherance of the democracy is to respect the process and stop trying to make unnecessary confusion."
Article 19 (1) of the PNM constitution states, "Subject to the provisions of this constitution the political leader shall be responsible to the party for the execution of its political affairs and in the execution of this responsibility he shall act in consultation with the chairman, vice-chairman, lady vice-chairman, and the deputy political leaders and the general secretary who shall together comprise the political leadership of the party."
In a statement on October 11, PNM general secretary Foster Cummings said the party's annual convention and internal election scheduled for November 17 had been cancelled.
On October 18, after the general council meeting a Balisier House in Port of Spain, Cummings said the party's constitution grants the Prime Minister, Dr Rowley as political leader, the authority over the party's political direction and the general council ratified the leadership's decision to set a new date for the convention.
He said the council approved the decision, adding, "We await further updates on the matter."
PNM chairman Stuart Young, on the same day, said the posts of political leader, chairman and general secretary are not due for re-election until 2026.
On the cancellation of the convention, Young said, "The PNM is strategic and does not make decisions impulsively. The council trusted the leadership's decision and I won’t disclose specific PNM strategies."
Former PNM vice-chairman Robert Le Hunte has voiced concerns about the cancellation and told Newsday the Prime Minister was responsible f
