Diego Martin Central MP Dr Amery Browne says a small “clique” within the People’s National Movement wants to put him under pressure as he faces the screening committee. Sunday Guardian learnt that Browne is likely to be rejected when he goes up for screening next month. Yesterday, a party insider indicated that Arouca/Maloney MP Alicia Hospedales and La Brea MP Fitzgerald Jeffrey were also likely to be booted out. Hospedales is expected to be replaced by Senator Camille Robinson-Regis, lady vice chair of the party.
Jeffrey, Browne and Hospedales are the last three sitting MPs to be screened by the party. On Friday, former Port-of-Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing and former finance minister Mariano Browne said talk on the ground was that Browne and Hospedales would not be on the PNM’s new slate. On Wednesday, Laventille West MP Nileung Hypolite and MP for Laventille East/Morvant Donna Cox were rejected by the party. Fitzgerald Hinds was given the nod over Hypolite. So far, the PNM has selected 34 candidates, 30 of whom are newcomers.
The four incumbents are Dr Keith Rowley, Colm Imbert, Terrence Deyalsingh and Marlene Mc Donald. In response to an e-mail on Friday, Browne admitted that “they are trying to put Amery under pressure” when told that he was expected to be rejected by the screening committee. “Of course in the political field at the ground level I have encountered a small clique that may wish to select and control the prospective representatives of the people, but I fear them not and they don’t distract me,” Browne wrote.
Browne said he was nominated by ten PNM party groups, including the youth league. “The three other nominees only got five, two and one party groups each.” He is expected to be screened with councillor Darryl Smith and two others, a T&T Guardian report stated earlier this month. “With regard to my own screening, I don’t focus on any rivalries or competition which are a normal part of politics. My focus has always been on fair, decent and energetic representation...not based on personalities and never on creating division based on ethnicity.”
Browne: This country owes me nothing
Last December, Browne, in a Sunday Guardian report, said “there exists a minuscule internal cabal who call themselves PNM but whose aim is really to own and totally control elected officials.” On Friday, he did not refer to the cabal. He instead described it as a clique. “The small handful who spread these rumours are doing so because they are unaccustomed to my high standards of decency, integrity, and quality representation. To achieve their narrow ends they rely on anonymous sources and innuendo.”
Asked about the rejection of Hypolite and Cox, Browne described them as “my colleagues and friends, and I would always wish the best for them with respect for their hard work under difficult circumstances.”
Browne said many people in Diego Martin “do recognise that I have never been about obstructing or attacking for attacking sake. I have always been proud of the many positive contributions that the PNM has made to the development of the people of T&T and I value every moment that I can be a part of that. I believe in all humility that my service and contribution are valuable but not indispensable...Indeed this country owes me nothing. I owe it everything.” He said he would continue to be encouraged by the support of citizens within his constituency.
“My record of service is clear and well known.”
Jeffrey: I will lose no sleep over it
Jeffrey said he believed “there is a God above.” In his seven years as MP, Jeffrey said, he had represented his constituency to the best of his ability. “If that is not good enough, then so be it. I will lose no sleep over the whole thing.” Jeffrey said having given his best, “there is nothing more I can do.” He said he had no idea what criteria the PNM used in selecting its candidates. Nominees Germaine Bovel-Pitt and Nicole Olivierre are challenging Jeffrey.
Hospedales: No comment
Hospedales, however, refused to comment in Parliament on Friday when told that she was likely to be replaced by Robinson-Regis.
Lee Sing: Rowley wants to dismantle obstacles in his way
Lee Sing, who resigned from the PNM in February, said the political future of Jeffrey also looked bleak. “Therefore, what can we expect as we go forward? I think we are going to see more of the same or worse than the same,” Lee Sing said. Lee Sing said the rejection would not end. Browne’s turn is to come, you know. Don’t feel this is the end of the road.” Lee Sing said he also heard that Hospedales would be replaced.
“This is part of Dr Rowley’s cleaning assignment. It is clear to see that they are out the window.” He felt that Hypolite and Cox should have been given the opportunity to face the polls again.“Likewise for Browne, he should be given another opportunity.” Lee Sing said Rowley had been proceeding to dismantle all obstacles in his way. “Dr Rowley is assembling a team of people who will not block him...a rubber stamp commission. The people closest to