WHO will be the new leader of the People’s National Movement and potential Prime Minister? The issue continues to be a hot topic and refuses to die. On July 28, Prime Minister Rowley advised the President to appoint Stuart Young to act as Prime Minister during his absence from the country to attend the 47th Heads of Government meeting in Grenada. At that time, Finance Minister Colm Imbert, who had acted for Rowley since 2015, was also out of the country.
But after this occasion, the Prime Minister proceeded to appoint Young on every occasion of his absence from the country. Young acted as Prime Minister in September when the Prime Minister travelled to the US; in October when the Prime Minister travelled to Samoa for CHOGM, twice in November - when the Prime Minister travelled to Guyana, and later that month when he travelled to Barbados. The sudden and consistent selection of Young, who is also party chairman, to act as Prime Minister provoked national discussion because it came in the wake of the Prime Minister’s constant suggestions that he may be stepping down at the end of this parliamentary term.
Speaking in Parliament in the budget debate in October, the Prime Minister gave what sounded like a “swansong”. “I am now in my tenth year as Prime Minister. I, too, may be a swan.
..As long as I could leave here having done the best for the people of Trinidad and Tobago, it doesn’t matter when I leave, but I will leave with my head held high.
” He then told House S.
