Former St Vincent and the Grenadines prime minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves paid a visit to Balisier House yesterday, where he met with People’s National Movement (PNM) leader Pennelope Beckles and addressed the party’s general council and legislative groups.
Gonsalves was joined by members of the PNM executive, including chairman Marvin Gonzales and general secretary Foster Cummings, following a brief media engagement at around 5.30 pm.
The veteran Caribbean politician made no attempt to distance himself from Trinidad and Tobago’s political landscape, acknowledging friendships within the ruling United National Congress (UNC) while emphasising his long-standing ties to the PNM.
“Everybody knows that our parties have had long historical relations. It doesn’t mean that I’m against the UNC because I have friends also in the UNC. But the PNM historically is political family,” Gonsalves said.
He recalled his close relationship with former prime minister Patrick Manning, whom he described as a university friend and political ally, and noted that the relationship continued under former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, who once worked in St Vincent as a volcanologist.
Gonsalves, who served nearly 25 years as prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, also highlighted his personal connections to Trinidad and Tobago.
He said his mother, Theresa Balbina Francis, was born in Trinidad and Tobago, making him eligible for citizenship by descent. He added that his wife, Eloise, was born in Federation Park, Port-of-Spain.
Despite those ties, Gonsalves said he has no intention of acquiring Trinidad and Tobago citizenship.
“I haven’t applied for a passport because if I do, it would mean that I would have taken a step to have an obligation, obedience and adherence to Trinidad and Tobago, which would create problems for me with my eligibility to sit in the Parliament of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said.
The 80-year-old politician also traced the relationship between the PNM and his United Labour Party (ULP) to the West Indies Federal Labour Party, founded in 1956. He said the bond endured through successive generations of political leaders, including Manning and Rowley.
Welcoming Gonsalves to Balisier House, Beckles described the visit as significant for the party and reflected on the PNM’s long-standing aspiration to have a permanent headquarters.
“It took us a little while, and under Dr Keith Rowley, we constructed this building. It’s really a pleasure to have you here, and we want to thank you for accepting the offer to come and speak with the general council and the legislative group,” she said.
Beckles did not comment on the ongoing police investigation into the financing of Balisier House.
Gonsalves, who described Beckles as his “friend from ages,” also drew mixed reactions from party members when he declared his loyalty to a particular steelband.
“I don’t want to create any confusion in this country, but I will say that the best steelpan side in the Caribbean is Desperadoes.”
He is scheduled to deliver the keynote address today at the PNM’s Independence event, Love of Liberty II, from 3 pm to 6 pm at Port-of-Spain City Hall.
Baptiste-Primus backs Beckles on Manning Dispute
Meanwhile, PNM deputy leader Jennifer Baptiste-Primus has thrown her support behind Beckles amid the ongoing dispute involving San Fernando East MP Brian Manning.
“The political leader has made a statement, and I stand by the statement she has made thus far,” Baptiste-Primus said.
Asked whether she was concerned about Manning airing allegations publicly, she replied: “Yes, particularly those allegations without evidence.”
Manning has accused the party’s leadership of failing to address what he describes as a “corrupt and criminal element” within the organisation. He has also alleged that San Fernando East Constituency Chairman Patricia Alexis benefited from millions of dollars in CPEP and HDC contracts and questioned her acquisition of property in Florida. Those allegations have not been independently verified.
The controversy has already resulted in the resignation of the entire San Fernando East constituency executive, deepening divisions within the party.
Despite the dispute, Beckles has indicated there are no plans to expel Manning.
Up to press time, Manning had not attended the event at Balisier House, although Alexis was present. She was seen seated alongside Diego Martin North/East MP Colm Imbert, welfare officer Maxine Richards, election officer Indar Parasram, National Women’s League chair Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and vice-chair Dr Amery Browne.
