Trinidad and Tobago is witnessing a historic moment where two women now sit at the helm of Parliament.
This, from Political Scientist Dr. Shane Mohammed who shared what he would like to see from newly-sworn in Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the Leader of the Opposition, Pennelope Beckles-Robinson.
“Something that did not exist for the period 2015 to 2025, which is bipartisanship. One. Two, decorum. This is the first time in the history of Trinidad and Tobago we have three women in the legislative framework of our government, right? In these operations of statehood, right? We have two women in the Lower Gouse, the Opposition Leader and the Prime Minister. We have a woman in the presidency. I would like to see cordial relations.”
With the public watching, he believes it’s time to reset the tone of national debate and end the era of combative politics.
Dr. Mohammed said Trinidad and Tobago stands at a turning point—one that depends not only on new faces in Parliament but also on new approaches to leadership and service.
And in the aftermath of the People’s National Movement’s defeat at the polls and the slew of resignations within the party since then, political eyes are now on Pennelope Beckles-Robinson as the party’s Opposition Leader.
Apart from her experience, Dr. Mohammed believes Mrs. Beckles-Robinson brings with her a rare chance to rebuild trust and foster collaboration in a deeply polarised political space.
“She has always had that crossover appeal; she’s respected both within, regardless of political divides. She’s respected by the people of Trinidad and Tobago; that’s one. And I think most, I believe most persons, including the crossover appeal, but more specifically the membership of the People’s National Movement, believe that this is her due, she deserves this, and there is nobody else that can take the reins.”
Dr. Mohammed said signs of political fragmentation were evident even before the final results of Monday’s General Election, hinting at cracks within the PNM’s inner circle.
“You saw the cracks; well, at least I, as a political scientist, saw the cracks emerging. You saw the division with the huddle of Mrs Beckles-Robinson by the vehicles with that small group. You saw it, right? You saw the body language. I read the body language. You saw that the fractures had started to happen.”
But with new leadership comes new opportunity. Dr. Mohammed said Mrs. Beckles-Robinson must now focus on rebuilding the party from the ground up—starting with credibility, communication, and clarity of vision.
“She has to build up public trust and confidence; that does not just start only at the ground level and in the representation of the people within the parliament. It also speaks about who she chooses as deputy political leaders, because that’s her remit when she becomes – and I’m saying when, because I don’t see it going a different way – when she becomes political leader, who she chooses as senators, 86 senators, will be very critical to give the people of the PNM, as well as the population, an idea of what her vision is going forward.”