Cummings dispels rumours: No bad blood with Young

Senior Reporter

dareece.polo@guardian.co.tt

People’s National Movement (PNM) General Secretary Foster Cummings is seeking to dispel concerns that there is bad blood between himself and party chairman Stuart Young.

The two were rumoured to be at odds last month after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley wound up his contribution to the budget debate telling House Speaker Bridgid Anisette-George he was not sure how long he had remaining in politics. Rowley also alluded to the speech being his Parliamentary swan song.

There were reports that both Young and Cummings had an interest in leading the PNM. During the final night of the Divali Nagar, both men denied there was any discord within the party.

However, during an interview with Guardian Media at the National Maintenance Training and Security Company’s launch of its Special Elite Security Unit yesterday, Cummings addressed his relationship with Young head-on, saying it remains symbiotic.

“Well, I don’t know why people would think that there is an issue because we have a political leader who is in office until 2026. Minister Young and I work quite well together as chairman and general secretary.”

The relationship between the two members of the PNM executive was first brought into question in 2021 by Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal.

Moonilal claimed there were signs of discord within the Cabinet concerning the Government’s exemption policy. He cited a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation in which “Foster Cummings” appeared to challenge “Stuart Young” over the policy.

PNM a ‘disciplined organisation’

Meanwhile, Cummings declined to clarify whether he had been directed to use the term “cancelled” in the statement regarding the PNM’s 51st annual convention and internal election.

Although the event was eventually postponed, the initial statement, dated October 11 and bearing Cummings’ signature, referred to it as cancelled.

The issue sparked controversy during the General Council meeting on October 19, where former labour minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus accused the Prime Minister of violating the party’s constitution by making the announcement public without first consulting the council and securing its approval.

Despite the backlash, Cummings did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the statement’s release.

“To respond to that would be like beating a dead dog. That matter is way behind us and we are progressing well towards organising ourselves to win the next general election.”

The PNM’s General Secretary also distanced the party’s executive from a leaked video showing the Laventille West Women’s League’s initial vote for its nominee to represent the constituency.

The video, recorded on October 28, showed when members were asked to indicate their support for the incumbent MP, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds. Hinds received a single vote, while his main challenger, Port-of-Spain City Corporation alderman and attorney Kareem Marcelle, secured 38 votes.

Despite the controversy, Cummings appeared unbothered by the situation.

“Those are not official videos. We don’t have any such videos emanating out of Balisier House. We are a very organised and disciplined organisation.”

Asked if he had any notion as to when the general election would be called, Cummings said he did not wish to “speculate” as that can only be determined by the Prime Minister.

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