Rowley to ‘mischief-makers’ in PNM: Your time has run out

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has issued a “caution” to members of his People’s National Movement who are objecting to his leadership. Rowley did so during a public meeting of the Opposition party at the San Juan Promenade on Tuesday evening. “I want to lay one caution and that caution is to mischief-makers in the PNM: Your time is up. Your time has run out,” he stressed.

Rowley had been the subject of much criticism within the party, even from former prime minister Patrick Manning, and was eventually sacked him as a minister in 2007. Some PNM supporters in the audience said Tuesday night there was a feeling Manning, who is expected home shortly after receiving physiotherapy in the United States for a mild stroke on January 24, may return to lead the party. Manning has repeatedly denied having any such intentions.

Rowley told the cheering crowd: “When I took over the party, I gave a commitment to the PNM and the people of the country that I would do right by you.” He added: “I have given two years for the trauma (2010 election defeat). Two years is enough.” Rowley said the first and second leaders of the 55-year-old PNM — Dr Eric Williams and George Chambers — had both died and the party’s third leader was Patrick Manning, who eventually resigned.

Rowley said: “I know I did not come to this place (party leadership) by an easy route and therefore I don’t expect to be loved and hugged by all but I represent every member... all ah we is one family.” There was more applause from the crowd.
He then called on the PNM membership to close ranks.

Rowley said the PNM would work night and day to attract the majority of the electorate when the next general election was called. He said he would be the next Prime Minister. He said one of the first things he would do as Prime Minister was to relocate the Eric Williams Collection at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, to the National Library, close to Woodford Square, Port-of-Spain.