By Sue-Ann Wayow
MEMBER of Parliament for Arima Pennelope Beckles is now officially the Opposition Leader of Trinidad and Tobago.
On Tuesday at the President’s House in Port of Spain, she received her instrument of appointment from President Christine Kangaloo.
The Opposition Leader publicly extended congratulations to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar who was sworn in at the same location last Thursday at the beginning of her inaugural address.
Beckles-Robinson said, “Before I continue, allow me to pause and first extend warm congratulations to the Honourable Prime Minister Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC on her second term in office.”
Directing her words to Persad-Bissessar she said, “Madame Prime Minister, your leadership is historic and today carries even deeper meaning for me personally as I stand here not only as Leader of the Opposition but also as a former student once seated in your classroom. Your journey from educator to Prime Minister serves as a profound reminder that our nation remains a land of possibilities.”
Speaking about her own journey, Beckles shared with attendees where she came from, a village called Borde Narve in Princes Town, growing up without electricity and water to now take up the mantle as Opposition Leader.
Such stories she hopes, can inspire every young person and especially the young women.
Beckles-Robinson said, “I accept the trust of my colleagues and the general council of the People’s National Movement (PNM) with deep humility and sincere gratitude as I assume the role as Leader of the Opposition.”
She pledged, “I will deliver courageous, compassionate, collaborative and committed leadership.”
“Today’s ceremony is a public acknowledgement of a solemn pledge that I have long internalised, a pledge to serve you, the people of Trinidad and Tobago with love, humility, diligence, integrity and unwavering commitment,” Beckles said.
There was also a pledge to lead the PNM opposition members of parliament committed to offering solution and collaborating on matters of national and regional importance and “supporting legislation and policies that will bring real progress and prosperity to every home, every village and every community.”
“The PNM’s representation will not just be about occupying a seat in Parliament. Advocacy requires that we walk alongside you and deliver results that positively impact on Trinidad and Tobago and of course our everyday lives,” Beckles-Robinson said.
She said, “We must model for the youth of this nation, our future leaders, a new way where collaboration is valued over confrontation where criticism is constructive where building up our people regardless of our differences and race, age, ideology or status matters more than breaking each other down.”
The role of the Opposition Leader was a solemn responsibility that the PNM will use for the greater good of the nation working for all citizens she added, holding the Government to account.
She also took the opportunity to again thank the constituents of Arima who voted her into the Parliament yet again.
Notable attendees were Chief Justice Ivor Archie, House Speaker Brigid Annisette-George, former prime minister Stuart Young, former government minister Dr Amery Browne and former United National Congress MP for Tabaquite Anita Haynes.
Robinson was selected by the PNM 12 MPs after a meeting by the party’s general council on Monday to become the opposition leader following the defeat at the polls on April 28 last week.
She created history by becoming the first woman to hold the position in the party since its establishment in 1956.
Robinson first entered Parliament in 1995 serving as an opposition senator. She has held several portfolios since, including MP and government minister, deputy speaker and representative to the UN with her most recent role being former minister of planning.
On Tuesday evening, the PNM is also expected to hold another special meeting at its Baliser House headquarters which will be followed by a press briefing.
