Ria Taitt

Trinidad and Tobago

Political Editor at Trinidad Express

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Articles

Penny all the way

5 days ago | trinidadexpress.com | Ria Taitt

It’s Penny. Opposition Leader Pennelope Althea Beckles, 63, was yesterday nominated unopposed for the position of political leader of the PNM, suggesting that the party is united in its support for her. This was the highlight of the PNM’s nomination exercise for the party’s internal election for which 16 positions were at stake. Beckles told the media that she was “a little emotional”, adding that having the opportunity to lead the PNM is a “privilege and honour and I am looking forward to it”.
All eyes on Penny

6 days ago | trinidadexpress.com | Ria Taitt |Anna Ramdass

THE People’s National Movement (PNM) Balisier House headquarters in Port of Spain will be abuzz with anticipation today as candidates step forward to contest leadership positions in the party’s internal election. Nominations for all 16 executive positions open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Following the close of nominations, chairman of the Election Supervisory Committee, Richard Walcott, is expected to announce the full list of nominees.
Stop the theatrics, Camille tells Govt

6 days ago | trinidadexpress.com | Ria Taitt

FORMER minister Camille Robinson-Regis has called on the United National Congress (UNC) Government to “stop the grandstanding” and the “theatrics” and get on with the business of governing. Robinson-Regis issued a statement yesterday taking the Government to task for the claim made by Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander that police stations were being used as courts.
Expanding GATE would be ‘difficult’

1 week ago | trinidadexpress.com | Ria Taitt

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the Foreign Affairs Ministry is looking at the impact of United States President Donald Trump’s instructions to embassies to temporarily halt all student visa applications. Asked about the impact of Trump’s directive and whether the Government would expand the GATE (Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses) programme in response to this, the Prime Minister said on Thursday that this is something the foreign affairs officials were looking at.
State enterprises get ‘fair warning’

1 week ago | trinidadexpress.com | Ria Taitt

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday gave “fair warning” to all State enterprises that they must get their houses in order and file up-to-date audited statements. Speaking at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media conference at the Red House, Port of Spain, the Prime Minister said some companies like Caribbean Airlines (CAL) had not filed their financial statements since 2015. “I believe CEPEP did not file for a five-year period and is still receiving about half a billion dollars.
PNM ‘Changemakers’ critical of Penny’s ‘failure’ Senate picks

1 week ago | trinidadexpress.com | Ria Taitt

The group of People’s National Movement (PNM) members anonymously titled “Changemakers 2025”, who are dissatisfied with the decisions taken by the party’s leadership, continue to issue press statements critical of key PNM office-holders, including Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles. The Changemakers criticised Beckles, who they said remained silent on major issues. “Kamla Persad-Bissessar insults officials daily, and Penny’s response? ‘Leadership with a gentle touch’. That’s not leadership.
Penny awaits her fate

1 week ago | trinidadexpress.com | Ria Taitt

THE country will know by Monday sometime after 5 p.m. whether Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles will become the political leader of the PNM, or whether she will face competition for the post at the internal elections on June 22. As of yesterday, Beckles was the only person who has publicly stated that she will contest the position of political leader. If she is nominated unopposed, she will be leader.
Beckles backs losing candidates

2 weeks ago | trinidadexpress.com | Ria Taitt

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has defended her selection of defeated election candidates Foster Cummings and Faris Al-Rawi as senators, citing their experience and service. In response to a question at a Red House news conference, following Friday’s ceremonial opening of Parliament in Port of Spain, Beckles said former People’s National Movement (PNM) leader Dr Keith Rowley was a defeated candidate when he entered the Senate in 1986.
Speaker Singh pledges service to Parliament

2 weeks ago | trinidadexpress.com | Ria Taitt

House Speaker Jagdeo Singh said on Friday he would take no small pride in serving the House and the beloved republic faithfully and steadfastly while seeking to maintain the highest parliamentary standards and traditions. Just before giving his Indian Arrival Day greeting in Parliament, Singh thanked MPs for the “immense honour” of electing him as Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 13th Parliament.
PM: This is the people’s House

2 weeks ago | trinidadexpress.com | Ria Taitt

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar took aim at the Independent bench in her first speech in the House of Representatives yesterday. “The Independent Senate bench in the last two parliamentary terms has been among some of the not best ones...I trust that in this dispensation in this 13th Parliament we will get some true independence because that is what holds the balance between Government and Opposition. We need those balanced voices,” she said.