PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Energy Minister Stuart Young has received the full backing of his People’s National Movement (PNM) colleagues in the House of Representatives to take over as Prime Minister when Dr. Keith Rowley steps down.
The announcement was made by PNM General Secretary Foster Cummings on Saturday evening, following the monthly meeting of the party’s general council.
Earlier in the week, 11 MPs supported Young, while nine voted in favor of Planning and Development Minister Pennelope Beckles-Robinson.
Cummings told reporters that PNM MPs supported Young, stressing that no motion was put on the floor dealing with the matter, and members raised issues as is the norm at general council meetings.
“At the time of this press conference, all 21 members of the House of Representatives of the PNM have signed on to agree and approve Minister Stuart Young to take over the Office of Prime Minister upon the retirement of Prime Minister Rowley,” he said.
“Every Member of Parliament is united behind Minister Young in this new responsibility that he is to take on. Our party executive and party members are excited about the prospects of the future.”
Cummings insisted that the PNM remains united, strong, and ready to serve the country.
Young, who attended the press conference with Cummings, also delivered a message of “unity and unification.”
“I have been in excellent dialogue, particularly with my colleagues – Minister Cummings and many of my other colleagues,” said the prime minister-in-waiting, the PNM chairman.
“This evening, at Balisier House, the general secretary and myself…are pleased to tell Trinidad and Tobago what you will see is the roll-out of Team PNM. You’re going to see Team PNM going to the population as a unified party, a strengthened party, a party with a lot to offer the population,” he added.
Young said he looked forward to working with his colleagues in that regard.
A week ago, Rowley announced that he would step down as prime minister before the end of his government’s parliamentary term and would not run for office in the next general elections, due later this year.
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