All eyes are on Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles’ next act - choosing her senators.
The People’s National Movement (PNM) will only be afforded six Opposition members in the Senate.
And while several PNM members, including defeated San Fernando West MP Faris Al-Rawi and former senator Dr Amery Browne, are said to be touted for the Upper House, former United National Congress MP Anita Haynes-Alleyne is also being rumoured as a possible choice.
After being rejected by the UNC to contest the Tabaquite constituency—a seat she held since 2020— Haynes-Alleyne appeared on the PNM’s campaign trail.
She was also in attendance at Beckles’ swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday.
When Guardian Media contacted Haynes-Alleyne yesterday, she did not deny her interest in serving as an Opposition senator.
While keeping her “anything-is-possible” approach, Haynes-Alleyne was coy on whether she’s already been offered the position.
“At this juncture, I am looking on, but I would say this: any decision I make when it comes to transitioning, it would be made based on a deep sense of national service.”
Efforts to contact Beckles were futile.
However, several PNM members aren’t opposed to the idea of Haynes-Alleyne joining team PNM in the Senate either.
PNM sources described Haynes-Alleyne as a brilliant woman and a good pick, but ultimately, the decision is up to the Opposition Leader.
General Secretary Foster Cummings and Vice Chairman Colm Imbert said the decision is solely based on Beckles.
Defeated La Brea candidate Randall Mitchell said, “The selection of Opposition senators is within the sole discretion of the leader of the opposition. It is for, us, the members, to trust the leader that she exercises that discretion in the interest of the country and the party.”
Former senator Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal said, “If this is what she (Beckles) wants, so shall it be.”
However, former UNC senator Jayanti Lutchmedial-Ramdial said switching political sides shows a person’s credibility.
“How can we believe that you were saying something in the interest of the country, when you are so quickly ready to now endorse someone that you’ve spent five years or even longer criticising? It’s a statement about your personal credibility.”