Caption: PNM Vice President Colm Imbert and Political Leader Penelope Beckles hold discussions with members of the La Brea constituency campaign team. Photo: Facebook/Pennelope Beckles

By Alicia Chamely

OPPOSITION Leader Pennelope Beckles has engaged with the constituents of La Brea, as the People’s National Movement (PNM) seeks to rebuild its party after their April 28 general election loss.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Beckles stated she and PNM Vice President Colm Imbert were invited to a meeting by the party’s campaign team in La Brea to reflect on the results of the 2025 election.

La Brea, which historically had been seen as a PNM stronghold, was lost to the United National Congress by 289 votes. PMN candidate for the area, Randall Mitchell received 6,262 votes, whereas the UNC and Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) candidate received 7,001 votes.

Constituents of La Brea complained of neglect by the PNM and failure to develop the job market in the area.

Beckles said the meeting was focused on how the party could better serve the area and the country.

She said, “We are a resilient movement that has made mistakes in the past, but we are committed to rebuilding and refocusing on serving the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Upon her selection as opposition leader on April 30 by the PNM General Council, Beckles promised to assess the state of the party and address areas they may have fallen short.

Addressing her supporters on the night of her selection she said, “There are times when you may have felt we did not do the best that we should. There are times when you have felt that we didn’t care as much as we should have cared. We are going to listen to you a little more. We are going to hear you.”