Six months after being elected Prime Minister of T&T, Kamla Persad-Bissessar named Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal as her successor. Praising Moonilal’s contribution to her administration, Persad-Bissessar said, “If anything should happen to me, God forbid, I see Dr Moonilal as being my successor.” Persad-Bissessar, political leader of the United National Congress (UNC), made the announcement as she spoke at a private function in Moonilal’s honour at San Fernando Hill.
The PM did not elaborate on what prompted her decision. In paying tribute to the Oropouche East MP, Persad-Bissessar said, “Dr Moonilal is a very important man in this Government. Our Government is very proud of you and very proud to have you in this Government.” Moonilal said he was grateful for the confidence and faith the PM had placed in his potential for leadership.
However, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has named no one as his successor since becoming leader of the People’s National Movement last May. Last month, Penelope Beckles-Robinson, who challenged Rowley for leadership in the party's internal election, was rejected as a candidate for the Arima constituency in the 2015 general election. Beckles-Robinson's supporters claim she was victimised by the party’s screening committee.
In a recent survey, respondents were asked whom would you support as successors to UNC leader Persad-Bissessar and PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley? The results for the UNC showed that 54 per cent stated “don’t know,” while ministers Vasant Bharath and Roodal Moonilal each tied with eight per cent.
Ministers Larry Howai, Errol Mc Leod, Suruj Rambachan, Prakash Ramadhar and former AG Anand Ramlogan each got two per cent. Capturing one per cent were Winston Dookeran, Stacy Roopnarine, and former UNC leader Basdeo Panday. Former national security ministers Jack Warner and Gary Griffith, as well as Ministers Dr Tim Gopeesingh and Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan each received less than one per cent.
Thirteen per cent of the respondents gave a “no response,” answer. With regards to a possible successor for PNM leader, 39 per cent of the respondents replied “don’t know.” However, the person who obtained the highest rating as Rowley’s successor was Penelope Beckles-Robinson with 18 per cent. Faris Al-Rawi got 15 per cent, while Colm Imbert captured four per cent.
Former prime minister and San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning obtained three per cent, followed by MPs Amery Browne and Marlene McDonald with two per cent. Chairman Franklin Khan, MP Terrence Deyalsingh and “other” each received one per cent, while Donna Cox and Fitzgerald Hinds each got less than one per cent. Overall, 13 per cent gave no response.
These were the findings of a T&T Guardian poll conducted and supervised by Prof Derek Chadee, director of the ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre, University of the West Indies, St Augustine. The poll, a nationwide survey held from January 29 to February 3, interviewed 507 respondents over the age of 18 selected by a random digit dialling method. The intention of the survey was to assess popular opinion on a number of major issues.
Overall, the sample was made up of 35 per cent Afro-Trinidadians, 39 per cent Indo-Trinidadians, 25 per cent mixed race citizens and one per cent other groups. Of the sample, 53 per cent were females. The margin of error is plus or minus four per cent.
Whom would you support as successor to Keith Rowley as leader of the PNM?
Analysing responses by ethnicity showed that of the respondents who said they would vote for Penelope Beckles, 38 per cent were Indo-Trinidadians, 32 per cent Afro-Trinidadians and 28 per cent Mixed race persons. Of those stating they would support Faris Al-Rawi as successor to Keith Rowley, 41 per cent were Afro-Trinidadians, 37 per cent Mixed race persons and 22 per cent Indo-Trinidadians. Of the respondents who said “don’t know,” 46 per cent were Indo-Trinidadians, 29 per cent Afro-Trinidadians and 25 per cent Mixed race persons.
Examining responses by sex, 52 per cent of those who said Penelope Beckles were males and 48 per cent females. An equal number of males and females indicated that they would support Faris Al-Rawi. Of those who said “don’t know,” 56 per cent were females and 44 per cent were males.
Whom would you support as successor to Keith Rowley as leader of the PNM?
Don’t know 39 per cent
Penelope Beckles 18 per cent
Faris Al-Rawi 15 per cent
Colm Imbert 4 per cent
Patrick Manning 3 per cent
Amery Browne 2 per cent
Marlene McDonald 2 per cent
Franklin Khan 1 per cent
Terrance Deyalsingh 1 per cent
Donna Cox < 1 per cent
Fitzgerald Hinds < 1 per cent
Other 1 per cent
No response 13 per cent