Naparima MP Rodney Charles will not contest the 2025 General Election
In a release Charles said, “Further to numerous requests for my position on the matter, I wish to indicate that I will not be submitting nomination papers to contest the 2025 General Election. As such, my active political career will end in 2025. ”
He said he will remain a lifetime member of the United National Congress and will continue to assist the party if called upon.
Charles said he is passing the baton to a younger generation.
“I will be 76 in 2025 and the time has come for my generation to make way for younger politicians to assume the reins of leadership,” Charles said. “These must bring fresh ideas, be of impeccable integrity, and even though relatively young must have impressive academic qualifications in a wide range of professions buttressed by performance track records in the public/private sectors, academia or with NGOs. Above all they must first and foremost diligently pursue the interests of Trinidad and Tobago.”
he said as the oldest sitting MP in the Lower House, he called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, “as the second oldest” to join him in ushering in a new era of politics.
“We must discard once and for all the notion that one has to leave TT politics either in ignominy or in a casket,” Charles said.