By Sue-Ann Wayow

THE Prime Minister’s Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is “deliberately vindictive, revengeful and wicked” as to appears to target one particular person, former prime minister Stuart Young.

So said Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles as she joined the debate on Friday in the House of Representatives.

She agrees that there is need for reform but it cannot be targeted to one person.

The debate on Friday ended with a contribution from Beckles on the Opposition side and Attorney General John Jeremie from the government’s side.

The bill, first introduced on June 18 by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo was passed with 27 “yes” from the government’s side and 11 abstentions from the opposition’s side, in the Lower House.

Noticeably absent in the Chamber was Young, Member of Parliament for Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West.

Government MPs seemed surprised at the “abstain” rather than a no.

Beckles said there were points in the amendment to be agreed upon also taking into consideration the population’s opinion.

She said parliaments across the world were in recent times debating pensions for prime ministers, especially giving global economic challenges and some prime ministers were taking up duty at a much younger age and reform must be considered.

“I am making it clear that we support reform. But I am making it clear that it is difficult to support when you come to the House and you say (with fingers pointed) it is all about you! And you and you alone that we want to change that decision.”

Beckles said, “If we are doing reform and they boasting about reform, then we must do total and absolute reform…This may be  a very good time for us to not only think about a particular person  but to think about other persons that this legislation is going to be impacted on.”

Government should not abuse their special majority in Parliament to pass laws in their favour only.

She gave examples of persons in the parliament who served lengthy periods but were not entitled to a pension also adding that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar would have been receiving hers as she remained in Opposition under the law and by the People’s National Movement (PNM) government.

Beckles was in agreement with the proposed tier system to which the government members told her “that’s very good,” and thumped their desks in agreement and also she admitted that the majority on her side did not have a problem with that system.

The Bill seeks to amend the Prime Minister’s Pension Act, Chap. 2:51 to require a person to serve at least one year as Prime Minister in order to qualify for a Prime Minister’s pension.

The Bill would have retroactive effect, and its provisions would have effect even though inconsistent with sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution.

The Bill would therefore require the support of three-fifths of all the members of each House of Parliament.

Clause 2 of the Bill stipulates that it shall come into force on the 10th day of March, 2025, thereby giving it retroactive effect.

Young officially became  prime minister on March 17 and served until April 28. He was Trinidad and Tobago’s eight prime minister and remains the youngest to date.