LIFELONG PNM MEMBER ASHTON FORDE, PENS A SCATHING EDITIORIAL REVIEW OF THE PNM
Dear Editor,
PNM Review
I joined the People’s National Movement (PNM) on March 31, 1968, in the Arima Constituency. From the outset, I became actively involved in the party’s youth arm, serving as Secretary of the Youth League and later as Assistant Secretary on the first Executive of the National Youth League.
My family’s connection to the PNM runs deep. My father was a foundation member of the party and served as Secretary of the Arima Constituency for 20 years. During that same period, he also sat on both the General Council and the Central Executive.
My own public service followed. I was elected Councillor and later Mayor of Arima during the leadership of our first Political Leader and Prime Minister, Dr. Eric Williams. I subsequently served as a Member of Parliament under Prime Minister George Chambers.
I worked at the Office of the Opposition Leader on two occasions — from 1986 to 1991 and again from 1995 to 2001 — when Mr. Patrick Manning held that position. Later, I served at the Office of the Prime Minister before taking up an appointment at the London High Commission in 2004.
Following the party’s defeat in the 2010 General Election, I was appointed General Secretary of the PNM, a post I held until 2017.
During my formative years in the movement, I also served as Assistant Secretary of the Legislative Group under Dr. Williams and later as Secretary under Mr. Chambers.
I have outlined this history to set the record straight before commenting on the current state of affairs in our beloved party.
Growing Concern Among Member/s
Across the country, I have heard increasing expressions of dissatisfaction from party members regarding the way the Executive and the General Council are conducting the business of the PNM.
Particular criticism has been directed at the General Secretary, who is frequently described by members as acting independently and, in many instances, contrary to the party’s Constitution.
One major complaint is his continued refusal to have correspondence from members read at meetings of the General Council. These letters address issues ranging from membership listings to alleged breaches of the Constitution. The justification offered is that a member must be financially current before his or her correspondence can be considered.
The most recent example involved a letter from the Member of Parliament for San Fernando East, Brian Manning. Initially, the letter was discarded on the grounds that it had been addressed to the General Council rather than to the General Secretary. After a significant outcry from party members, the letter was eventually read at a special sitting of the General Council on June 30, 2026.
At that same meeting, the General Secretary also read a letter from Ms. Patricia Alexis, who serves as Assistant General Secretary, Chairman of the San Fernando East Constituency, Deputy Mayor of San Fernando, and coordinator of the Point Fortin Constituency. Following the presentation of both letters, the Council agreed to establish a committee to investigate the matters raised.
Questions Over the Committee
The controversy arose over the composition of that committee. It consisted of three members of the party leadership and two members of the General Council. A proposal was made to co-opt additional members from outside the Council, but the Political Leader rejected the suggestion on the basis that the nominees were not members of the General Council.
Critics argue that this decision conflicts with the party’s Constitution, which allows members of the movement who are not on the General Council to serve on committees. They point to the appointment of Ms. Brigid Anisette-George, who chaired the Constitutional Reform Committee under Dr. Keith Rowley despite not being a member of the General Council at the time.
As a result, concerns have been raised that the committee’s eventual findings may be viewed as favouring Ms. Alexis and placing MP Brian Manning at a disadvantage within his constituency.
Treatment of Brian Manning
Supporters of Mr. Manning have also highlighted other incidents they believe demonstrate unfair treatment. They note that Ms. Alexis did not function in the San Fernando East Constituency during the 2025 General Election because she was perceived as part of the clique currently controlling the party.
More recently, the PNM held a public meeting in the Marabella district where MP Manning who was born and raised in the area was not included as a platform speaker. This has prompted members to ask why the only elected PNM representative in Parliament for the vast region stretching from Sangre Grande to Cedros, including Central Trinidad, was omitted from the platform.
The Arima Situation
Many members compare that treatment with the party’s handling of Arima Mayor Balliram Maharaj. The Mayor continues to function despite publicly admitting that he attended a UNC dinner in December 2024 on the same day the Arima Borough Corporation held its Christmas function, from which he was absent.
According to critics, he neither apologized nor expressed remorse for what they regard as an act of betrayal against the party that placed him in office.
Further controversy arose when UNC activist and Minister Phillip Alexander publicly declared his support for the Mayor and made disparaging remarks about the PNM. Mr. Alexander said in a post on social media accompanied by a photo “Balliram is a self-made man. PNM canal conchs who have to buy garbage bag and rat trap on credit disrespected him. Who needs that? I am happy to be the one to bring him across to a better party.”
Meanwhile, members complain that the Arima Borough Corporation is effectively leaderless and that the Mayor never reported or attended either the Arima or Malabar/Mausica constituencies at executive or group meetings.
The Janelle John-Bates Matter
Another example frequently cited by members is the treatment of former Senator Janelle John-Bates.
I state categorically that she was wrong to edit a report submitted by former Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh to a parliamentary committee of which she was a member. However, party members continue to question how such a situation arose in the first place.
Ms. John-Bates was a new senator with less than a year of experience, yet she was tasked with editing a document prepared by a former Minister of Health who had served for nearly a decade.
It is difficult to believe that she appointed herself to perform that role. Reports have indicated that senior party member Faris Al-Rawi currently the party’s Public Relations Officer and a former Attorney General and Minister of Rural Development and Local Government was involved, making Ms. John-Bates the junior figure in the matter.
When she offered her resignation from the Senate after being removed from the committee, the Opposition Leader did not act promptly in accepting it. Consequently, Ms. John-Bates faced hostile reactions both in the Senate and in the wider public, while Faris Al-Rawi remained untouched and continues to serve as a senator.
A Call for Urgent Action
For these reasons, I believe the General Council of the PNM must act urgently to end what many members describe as an increasingly authoritarian approach by the Political Leader and the General Secretary, who is perceived by some as exercising overwhelming control over the party.
Failure to address these concerns, they warn, could further alienate members who are already expressing doubts about the leadership of Ms. Penelope Beckles-Robinson.
If there is one point I wish to make abundantly clear, it is this: few people in the PNM know
Ms. Beckles-Robinson as well as I do. I’ve known her for the past thirty-two years.
Respectfully,
Ashton Ford
PNM Life Member