Member of Parliament for Mayaro Rushton Paray says he is disappointed that the Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister, Dr Amery Browne, has chosen to withdraw from screening for the Diego Martin West constituency.
A guest on today’s edition of CNC3’s The Morning Brew show, the Mayaro MP recounted his excellent working relationship with Dr Browne when he served at this country’s ambassador to Brazil and described him as “a statesman” whose “professionalism is unmatched”.
“I am disappointed and saddened that he has chosen to withdraw his candidacy for the Diego Martin West seat,” Paray told Guardian Media.
“I, too, believe that there are many ways to serve one’s country,” he said, “and perhaps, Dr Browne, in his mind, will continue to serve Trinidad and Tobago—in another place, in another form—and I commend him for the work that he continues to do.”
MP Paray observed that there is a need for younger politicians with new perspectives, and conceded that he, too, is hoping to see new faces within the UNC.
But, he maintains, there still is a need for experienced politicians.
“I have no problem with youth. Young people are important in the political frame,” he points out, “but there must be a good mix inside the politics. You must have persons with the experience and institutional knowledge.”
Like several others weighing in on the issue, the Mayaro MP is not convinced that all is well within the People's National Movement.
However, he believes this poses an opportunity for the United National Congress.
“In the UNC, we are very happy for the political turmoil in the PNM,” he admitted. “The more bacchanal [takes place] inside there, the better it is for us politically while we try to stabilise our own boat.”
On Friday, Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, Dr Amery Browne, withdrew his name from the PNM’s nomination process for the Diego Martin West seat.
At present, the constituency is represented by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, who is expected to vacate it soon.
