After retaining chairmanship of People’s National Movement’s (PNM) Arima Women’s League unit on Thursday, Pennelope Beckles-Robinson says she will offer herself as a 2015 general election candidate for the party. Beckles-Robinson revealed her intention while addressing the women’s league’s election of officers’ conference at the PNM’s Arima office on Gunapo Street. She also confirmed this in an interview with the T&T Guardian after the meeting.
Beckles-Robinson, who had chaired the women’s unit before, was re-elected to the post in a vote of 102 to 13. She defeated Hillary Bernard, a councillor who is public relations officer of PNM’s National Women’s League. Women’s League members said Beckles-Robinson told the meeting she would offer herself as a general election candidate. They said she also dispelled rumours that she was “leaving the PNM and forming her own party.”
The election to the post of chairman for the Arima Women’s League was Beckles-Robinson’s first victory after her May defeat for elections for the post of PNM leader. This was retained by incumbent Dr Keith Rowley. Beckles-Robinson had chaired the Arima Women’s League for almost a decade before. She also serves on the executive of PNM’s Arima unit.
After Thursday’s meeting, a buoyant Beckles-Robinson said, “There was a good attendance for the meeting, traditionally we have a good turnout but we’ve shown in Arima that we have a lot of support. It’s a good indication for general elections, as the women are the backbone of the PNM. “I’m happy the (women) gave that support, particularly following the results of the party’s recent internal (leadership) election.
Asked if she has been working in the constituency after the internal election and if she is interacting with Elvin Edwards, who was appointed—after the leadership elections—to be co-ordinator of the constituency, Beckles-Robinson said she is on the Arima executive and Edwards was very much part of the operation. “So we meet when there are executive elections, I’m lady vice chairman of Arima’s constituency executive and work with all PNMites in the area, including the mayor and corporation.”
On claims she and members of her former Team Penny (which contested the internal poll) were ostracised by the hierarchy and may leave the PNM or “park up,” she said, “I remain firmly committed to the PNM. I’m out there working for the party and doing my part to ensure the PNM does well in Arima.” Asked if she was interested in election candidacy, Beckles-Robinson noted the PNM’s General Council very recently announced it would start screening for candidates for 12 seats, but not Arima yet.
She added, “Arima isn’t in the first lot, but when the time comes and Arima is called and if there’s support, then sure I’ll offer myself. But I’m not working on that yet, as the current focus is on constituency elections and for elections of other units.”
On how she dealt with the fall-out following the May leadership elections, Beckles-Robinson said, “The election is over but when one enters such contests, one does so knowing only one person can win and that others may lose, so we knew very well there was a possibility of losing. If you approach it like that, there’s no reason to be angry or negative about the results. “My loyalty has been and always will be to the PNM. I remain committed to the party and helping the leader and leadership, particularly for the 2015 general elections,” she said.
Asked when last she interacted with Rowley, Beckles-Robinson said she went to the Parliament for the Lower House debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to support the PNM and leadership on the issue.