And while discipline is one of the country's watchwords, there is no doubt that the lawlessness of the society-the complete disregard that some T&T nationals have for laws and rules-has its roots in some of the attitudes which became accepted under the PNM. The party has also been severely stung by allegations of corruption and mismanagement-both in 1986 when it was swept out of power by the National Alliance for Reconstruction and last year when the PNM was trounced by the People's Partnership, under the leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar. As the party enters its 56th year, it should also be noted that in the period since its establishment, dozens of political parties and hundreds of groups have been formed-only to fall apart after months or years in existence. That the PNM has lasted as long as it has is a testament to the strength of the ideals that its founders instilled into it. It remains an open question whether the party can cohere strongly enough, under the leadership of Dr Keith Rowley, to make a positive impression on a majority of people as a government-in-waiting.
Whether it does or it does not, there is no gainsaying the contribution that the party has made to T&T's development.