Penelope Beckles, the political leader-elect of the PNM, addresses supporters in Tobago, pledging a new leadership style focused on listening and unity. She emphasizes the need for strategic plans from elected officers, strengthening ties between Trinidad and Tobago, and acknowledges past mistakes for a more resilient future in the party.
Political leader-elect of the People’s National Movement (PNM), Penelope Beckles, addressed supporters in Tobago on Tuesday night, promising a new era of leadership and unity. Beckles expressed her understanding of the community’s pain, emphasizing the need for change if she were to be elected. At a One PNM team meeting in Buccoo, she remarked on the difficulties faced by Tobago residents, stating, “In Trinidad plenty hurting, and there’s more hurting in Tobago. I mean, some Trinidadians mightn’t be too happy to hear me say that… but that ain’t easy. So I understand the pain and the hurt that many of you all feel.”
Her approach, as she described, is one based on listening rather than on being aggressive. “You hear some saying, I ain’t loud enough, I ain’t aggressive enough… There’s a lot of wisdom in listening, and some listeners don’t always speak very quickly,” she highlighted. Beckles defended her style against critics, saying, “The most powerful method of communication is silence.”
Beckles, emphasizing a desire for change within the party, insisted that rebuilding would require an innovative approach. She stated, “You may have some things you want to ask me or tell me, because I am going to be doing things differently, and it would not be business as usual.” This statement reflects her promise to reform the party’s operations.
Moreover, she made it clear that new party officers would be expected to present strategic plans within their first three months in office. “I have made it very clear that there’s a general council, and when the officers come in the first three months, they have to present their plan for the next two years,” she stated, indicating that this expectation was firmly set.
Building bridges between the leadership in Trinidad and Tobago is also a priority for Beckles. “One of the things that we have to work on is the improvement between the Tobago Council and the Trinidad leadership… under my watch, the general council needs to come to Tobago more often,” she stressed, highlighting the commitment to greater inclusivity.
In her address, Beckles urged the party to confront its historical errors and strive for unity moving forward. “If you don’t accept that you made mistakes, then you cannot recover,” she warned. She also struck a cord of resilience within the party, asserting, “If you chop it, it will grow back, and if you burn it, it will grow back. That is the resilience of the People’s National Movement.”
Penelope Beckles’ address in Tobago reflects her commitment to transparency and change within the party. By prioritizing listening, she seeks to rebuild trust and forge stronger ties between Trinidad and Tobago’s leadership. Additionally, her emphasis on planning and admitting past mistakes signifies a move towards unity in the PNM, reinforcing their resilience as a political entity.
Original Source: www.guardian.co.tt
