00:00Less than one hour before the People's National Movement began their General Council meeting, two days after the party's substantial loss in the 2025 general election, a press release was issued bearing the signatures of seven of the party's 13 MPs announcing their choice for the new opposition leader.
00:17According to the document, PNM MPs Simon Denobriga, Neon Gatsby-Dolly, Marvin Gonzalez, Colm Inbutt, Karim Marcel and Keith Scotland gave their support to Arima MP Penelope Beckles-Robinson to become the next opposition leader.
00:33The final signature was that of Mrs. Beckles-Robinson for a total of seven signatures, which equates to a majority of the party's 13 MPs.
00:43TV6 News received the confirmation from two of the PNM's MPs whose names and signatures are on the document that it is authentic.
00:52MP Beckles-Robinson also gave her confirmation when she arrived at Balizie House on Wednesday as the PNM's General Council was also set to choose an interim political leader.
01:04Among the names and signatures of MPs of the PNM that are not on the document is former Prime Minister Stuart Young,
01:16who announced on his Facebook page that after reflection on Tuesday, he tendered his resignation as chairman of the PNM on Wednesday, effective immediately.
01:26Mr. Young thanked the PNM's membership for the opportunity to have served as chairman of the party from December 2022 to date.
01:35Dr. Keith Rowley, who led the PNM to victory in the 2015 and 2020 general elections, did not seek re-election to the House of Representatives in the 2025 general election.
01:46MP Beckles-Robinson lost to Mr. Young while they were in government, which led to him being appointed Prime Minister on March 17th, following Dr. Rowley's retirement as Prime Minister.
01:58It was the first time in Trinidad and Tobago a Prime Minister was appointed before a general election.
02:03It also marked the first time a Prime Minister was not a political leader.
02:07One day after being appointed Prime Minister, Mr. Young announced the date of the 2025 general election would be on April 28th.
02:16He joined the PNM political leader, Dr. Rowley, at Balazie House on Monday night as they conceded to the United National Congress, which won the general election by a large majority.
02:27On Tuesday, the Elections and Boundaries Commission announced that based on the preliminary count, the United National Congress secured 26 of the 41 constituencies.
02:36The ABC said the People's National Movement secured 13 constituencies, while the Tobago People's Party secured the two constituencies in Tobago.
02:46The ABC also said the UNC had formally requested general recounts, inclusive of poll cards, in three constituencies, Ruka Lopino, Malaba Mousica, and San Fernando East.
02:58Those recounts began at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
03:01On Wednesday, Mr. Young said on Facebook that he gave his commitment to continue to advocate the PNM's cause and hold the government to account on behalf of his constituents, his party, and the citizens in the Parliament.
03:15Also, former Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan tendered his resignation as a deputy political leader of the PNM on Wednesday.
03:25Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:31Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
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