Senior Political Reporter
Former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley and former Naparima Member of Parliament Rodney Charles may have signalled that they’ve had their last run in elections, but other politicians are not so open about their political future.
With citizens voting today in the General Election, some familiar faces have already revealed their stint in electoral politics was over.
For the People’s National Movement, now former Laventille West MP Fitzgerald Hinds, former Laventille East/Morvant MP Adrian Leonce and La Brea’s former MP Stephen McClashie have said their chances of being in the House of Representatives are over as they bowed out of the electoral politics.
However, former Couva South MP Rudrinath Indarsingh was coy about his future in public service. He was replaced as the candidate for the constituency he represented for 15 years by the United National Congress, which instead chose Barry Padarath.
While he said he remained committed to the party, he was less vocal about his plans in the political arena.
Others like Diego Martin North/East candidate for the People’s National Movement Colm Imbert did not respond to questions on whether or not this election would really be his last lap in electoral politics. He previously said he was have one last run in field.
UNC Political Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar didn’t reply to questions on if tomorrow’s election would be her “last run.”
Septuagenarians Rowley and Charles, were the oldest on either side of the two main political parties. Persad-Bissessar at the helm of the UNC is now the oldest in politics.
UNC deputy leader Dr Roodal Moonilal- in politics for 34 years, said, “Only God knows my direction—I don’t.”
National Transformation Alliance leader Gary Griffith said, “It’ll be difficult to make that decision whether it’s my ‘last run.’ I don’t know what the future holds for me. If I’m successful, then obviously I’ll be in a political direction. If I’m not, I’ve always been willing to offer my services to my country based on what my country requires, which my country prefers. So by any chance I or my political party aren’t successful at the polls, it certainly doesn’t diminish the fact of what I can provide for my country. So I may very well be willing to offer my services to my country in another sphere.”
NTA’s Toco Sangre Grande candidate Christine Newallo-Hosein, a former UNC Cumuto Manzanilla MP said, “It’s a little premature to answer questions whether this is my last run. But I’ll certainly continue serving my country.”
Dissidents await ‘God’s guidance’
So-called UNC “dissidents” have been mum on their path after opting out of screening and not being selected to contest a seat for the party today.
Dinesh Rambally, former Chaguanas West MP, recited Psalm 23 from the Bible when asked.
“As to my past, present and future, whether in the political sphere or otherwise, I can only say that The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,”
Rambally added, “Everything that was past has been in God’s hand and everything to come will be determined by God’s will. I pray for God’s grace so as to reveal the path by which I can be the ideal instrument for my country.”
Dr Rai Ragbir, who resigned from UNC, has remained silent after he said recently he had not made any decision on his political future.
“When the Lord wants to guide me as to my next chapter, I’m sure he’ll send me a sign.”
Analyst weighs in
Political analyst Dr Shane Mohammed said some politicians may be employing a wait and see approach as to their political future.
“It’s impossible to say what the future of the current lot of politicians’ decisions will be in terms of running for another five years. Obviously, all of those running in 2025 will have at their disposal rational choice which will determine what the circumstances are that will inform a decision to call it a day. Not everyone is like Dr Rowley who can make a conscious decision on when he steps down.
“Rationality informs us that Mrs Persad-Bissessar will be looking to close her political career, if she so chooses, with an election win which she seems determined to do.
“Mrs (Camille) Robinson-Regis, is viewed as the Mother of the PNM and has mentored and coached a lot of the young people in the party. I’d expect that this may be the term that she completes her mentorship and training - but again, left to be seen.
“This could very well be the last term if he wins for Mr Esmond Forde and accordingly Mr Imbert has played the idea of him wanting one more term to go.”
He said politicians considering whether or not to exit, have a lot tofactor in when making such a decision.
“Retirement in politics comes down to the individual, their priorities, family life commitments, their health and resilience. Of course, we’re moving in a direction where few want to see elderly parliamentarians and at the same time we’re aspiring for high-calibre ‘New Generation’ politicians. That’s not to say that some of the current existing young politicians haven’t fallen short of exercising exemplary leadership and we have a generation of mediocre young politicians in active politics which I call misfits.
“But for there to be a real conversation about political retirement, we need to begin a serious conversation about changing our political culture and becoming more invested in political outlook from a serious domestic and geo-political sustainability perspective,” Mohammed added.