At least one Independent senator says he is prepared to serve his full five-year term despite the fact that a new President will assume office in March. Independent senator Dr Victor Wheeler told reporters yesterday he had not given any consideration to tendering his resignation to President-elect Anthony Carmona as he was appointed by President Richards.
Former president of the Law Association and former Independent senator Dana Seetahal is among those who have said that the proper thing to do would be for the Independents to resign and give the incoming President a chance to decide who he wanted to serve in that capacity. The nine Independent senators are appointed by the President.
Wheeler, who voted in favour of President-elect Carmona minutes before, at yesterday's meeting of the electoral college, said he "was appointed for a term of five years and I am carrying on as before." Wheeler said he was pleased the incoming President was elected unanimously and without any fuss, and felt it was a sign of things to come.
Independent senator Corinne Baptiste-McKnight said the election was historic as T&T "was getting another good President. We are a lucky country." Asked to comment on calls for the Independents to resign, McKnight and her colleague Helen Drayton continued their hasty retreat.