Rowley makes his debut as PNM leader; party says time for healing

Keith Rowley will address members of the opposition People's National Movement at the Chaguaramas convention Centre Sunday at the launch of his party's campaign for the July 26 Local Government Election (LGE).

It's the first time he will be addressing the membership since his official inauguration as the unchallenged leader of the party. In a message to supporters he has said now is the time for "all hands on deck".

Many of the party's stalwarts who had been pushed away by former leader Patrick Manning are returning to the political spotlight under Rowley's leadership, including former cabinet minister John Rahael. He will be the campaign manager for the election.

Rahael did not run as a candidate in the 2007 despite receiving the highest percentage rating among PNM MPs in a performance poll commissioned by the party.

PNM insiders say Rahael is likely to take over the chairmanship of the party after the LGE. Chairman Conrad Enill has resigned but Rowley has asked him to stay on until the election. PNM General Secretary Martin Joseph, who has also resigned, is also staying in his post until the vote.

Former trade minister Ken Valley is also returning to play a prominent role in the party. Manning rejected Valley in 2007 although he was a PNM deputy leader and had the overwhelmingly support of his constituency. He did not offer himself as a candidate for the 2010 election.

Valley did not consider running for the party's leadership after Manning resigned, saying that his priority was to help rebuild the party. Party sources say he is working on the LGE manifesto and is helping with constitutional reform within the PNM.

Former cabinet minister Fitzgerald Hinds is also back along with PNM founding member Ferdie Ferreira who told the Sunday Guardian the return of the party's “old blood” is a sign that the healing has begun.

“It is a step in the right direction. It is an extremely good start. The time has come for regrouping of forces and all hands are needed on deck. They have all contributed toward the party and all experience and service is now needed," he told the paper.

The PNM had control of nine of the 14 regional corporations, including the major city centres of Port of Spain, San Fernando, Arima and Point Fortin. It will have candidates in all 124 seats and will be facing only a single opponent from the People's Partnership as it did in the May 24 general election.