October 6, 2026
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s declaration that “This has to be the dumbest version of the PNM ever” may have been delivered in the heat of political picong, but it has opened a much bigger conversation about the state of Trinidad and Tobago’s Opposition.
After serious introspection, I must admit that I find myself joining hands with the Honourable Prime Minister on one central point: the present condition of the People’s National Movement raises serious questions about cohesiveness, direction and political effectiveness.
This is not simply about one parliamentary mistake. Opposition PNM Whip Marvin Gonzales failed to move his motion on the country’s water-supply disruptions because he did not use the required words, “I beg to move,” at the conclusion of his presentation. The procedural error caused the motion to fail, although Gonzales has said he intends to refile it. That is a small parliamentary detail, but in politics, details matter.
The bigger issue is whether the PNM is presenting the population with a clear and convincing alternative government.
The question being asked in political circles and among ordinary citizens is straightforward: Who really is leading the PNM, and where is the party going?
Pennelope Beckles-Robinson remains the Opposition Leader, while Marvin Gonzales serves as chairman and Opposition Whip, and other senior figures continue to have significant influence within the organisation. Yet the public perception of a party is shaped not merely by titles, but by whether its leadership speaks with clarity, consistency and a recognisable sense of purpose.
The PNM’s internal challenges have also unfolded against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding Balisier House. The party is now preparing for a legal challenge after being served with court documents connected to the financing of the construction and renovation of its headquarters. A High Court judge granted a Preliminary Unexplained Wealth Order requiring the party, through its trustees, to disclose how the multi-million-dollar project was funded. The PNM has said its legal team is reviewing the documents and has raised concerns about possible political interference. These are serious matters that should be allowed to proceed through the appropriate legal and investigative processes.
This is where responsible political commentary must separate evidence from political theatre. An investigation is not a conviction, and allegations are not established facts. The public deserves transparency, accountability and answers, but it also deserves due process.
Still, one cannot ignore the wider political picture. The PNM’s performance since the 2025 general election has placed the party under a microscope. Its post-election soul-searching, public disagreements and occasional parliamentary missteps have created an opening for questions about renewal and leadership.
At the same time, the UNC administration under Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar is attempting to advance its own programme of governance. Supporters of the Government will point to legislative changes, policy adjustments and efforts to address problems inherited from the previous administration. Critics, naturally, will question the pace, priorities and consequences of those measures.
That is democracy.
I believe the population is also experiencing some of the backlash associated with decisions made under the previous administration. Some policies and approaches are now being reviewed, amended or replaced. Whether every change will produce the intended result remains to be seen, but government must have the courage to correct policies when evidence shows that correction is necessary.
The phrase “Mother of the Nation,” often used by supporters to describe Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, carries an emotional weight that should also come with responsibility. Cleaning up a country is not simply about changing laws, confronting opponents or winning political arguments. It is about building institutions that can survive individual administrations and creating conditions in which future generations can live with greater security, opportunity and confidence.
That requires sacrifice.
It requires patience.
And it requires citizens to judge governments not only by speeches and political battles, but by measurable outcomes.
For me, the Prime Minister’s “dumbest PNM” remark should therefore not become another social-media quarrel. It should be a wake-up call to the Opposition and, equally, a reminder to the Government that political fortunes can change quickly.
The PNM has a historic place in Trinidad and Tobago’s political life. It therefore deserves an Opposition capable of scrutinising government, presenting credible alternatives and holding ministers accountable. Government also benefits from a serious Opposition because democracy becomes weaker when political competition becomes merely personal.
So, yes, there is plenty of picong to be heard from recent PNM missteps. Trinidadians love their politics with a little bacchanal, and Parliament will never be short of drama. But beneath the laughter is a serious national question.
What kind of political system are we building for the next generation?
The UNC has an opportunity to demonstrate that change can translate into lasting national development. The PNM has an opportunity to demonstrate that opposition can become renewal.
The people should demand both, and they should demand accountability from every political party.
Because at the end of the day, this country is bigger than the UNC, bigger than the PNM and bigger than any one Prime Minister.
Political parties come and go. Governments change. Leaders rise and fall.
But Trinidad and Tobago remains. That should remain our standard.
(The author holds a BSc in Political Science from the University of the West Indies.)
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