THREATS LEAD TO PNM UNITY

THE ruling PNM, which turns 69 on Wednesday, put on a media show of unity after Saturday’s General Council meeting.

This followed the capitulation of certain prominent party operatives after threats by a senior official.

The top official earlier held backroom meetings at which he alluded to a report pertaining to a leading figure.

The contents of that report are said to be damaging.

Following that intervention, there was consensus over Stuart Young to replace Dr. Keith Rowley when the Prime Minister steps down.

All 21 PNM Members of Parliament are now in line with Young as the next national leader.

But there is still discord among constituency officials and activists, with much ground support for Pennelope Beckles-Robinson.

While Young is now a shoo-in to become Prime Minister, many supporters are still agitating for Beckles-Robinson to take over leadership of the PNM, at the next party election in September.

This unusual scenario indicates a rough road over the next few months for the PNM.

While some officials are praising the discipline in uniting around Young, others fear that in this general election year, the PNM would become more distanced from common people, who are the bulk of supporters.

Remarks on ethnicity were made at last Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, the Central Executive and Parliamentary Arm sessions on that day, and today’s spirited General Council assembly.

One official delivered a broadside against certain colleagues, accusing them of being “troublesome.”

But the outspoken party people, including a glib government man, have fallen silent on their strident opposition to Young.