This country’s Ambassador to the United Nations Penny Beckles is in Trinidad and Tobago, but she said it’s only for Carnival.
Beckles arrived in TT over the last weekend. She was spotted at Panorama in company with other PNMites including House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George, Public Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte and others.
Beckles’ presence amid the election-preparation landscape, has sparked speculation about a political future and whether or not her name may show up among candidate nominations for Arima when the process gets underway.
The People’s National Movement (PNM) announced three weeks ago it’s launching nominations, but letters to constituency units to ignite the operation haven’t been issued yet. Letters are being prepared, PNM executive officials said. The party recently projected starting screening after Carnival.
Speculation about Beckles and general elections has been simmering in the party since last year when she assisted with the PNM’s campaigning in the Blanchisseuse- Santa Rosa area for Local Government elections. The candidate- Roger Moore- who she’d been asked to assist, won his seat.
But when asked yesterday about future political work, whether she’d been approached to contest (and if she would), Beckles said, “I’m really here to enjoy the pre- Carnival season, you know.”
PNM Arima officials told the Trinidad Guardian in January that incumbent MP Anthony Garcia had told the executive at their January meeting, he was open to contesting again.
Beckles was appointed this country’s UN representative after PNM won general elections in 2015. She’s been based in the US since then.
Meanwhile, PNM general secretary Foster Cummings said yesterday the three PNM candidates for certain areas which will be rescreened again, along with screening in other constituencies. He added they could even emerge as candidates again.