Chairperson of the women’s league of the People’s National Movement (PNM) Pennelope Beckles-Robinson says leadership the major issue affecting the country. In a statement issued on Saturday, the former senator said she hoped the 58-year-old party’s first executive elections under the system of one-man-one-vote will be “fair, open and transparent.”
Beckles-Robinson, is expected to hold a news conference at Balisier House today to answer questions on her challenge against incumbent leader Dr Keith Rowley in the May 18 national executive elections. Beckles-Robinson has applied to the party to host a news conference at the party’s headquarters and sources said yesterday if permission was not granted the news conference would most likely be held in the Opposition’s parliamentary room, Tower D, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain at 4.30 pm tomorrow.
On Friday, Beckles-Robinson told Rowley of her intention to contest the election. She said on Saturday the party’s competitive internal elections reflect the strength of leadership choices at all levels within the party. According to Beckles-Robinson, the PNM’s political experience offers much to the country. But she insisted: “The fundamental issue that confronts our nation is that of leadership.”
She said: “The people deserve decisive, compassionate, inclusive and pragmatic leadership.” Beckles-Robinson is a former Arima MP, senator and cabinet minister.