Trinidad: Young resigns as chairman of PNM after crushing election defeat
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Outgoing Trinidad and Tobago prime minister, Stuart Young, Wednesday submitted his resignation as chairman of the People’s National Movement (PNM) following the party’s resounding defeat in Monday’s general election.
In a letter to the PNM chairman, Foster Cummings, Young 50, who had replaced Dr Keith Rowley as prime minister last month, said his resignation is “effective immediately”.
“I thank my party’s membership for the opportunity to have served as Chairman from December 2022 to date. I give my commitment to continue to advocate our cause and hold the opposition to account on behalf of my constituents, my party and the citizens in the parliament as we move forward,” he said.
The senior counsel, who called the general election one day after he had been sworn in as the head of government, said he had always “served the party with a sense of pride coupled with an acknowledgment of the responsibility that representation comes with.
“After deep personal reflections on events culminating with the results of the 2025 General Elections, I hereby tender my resignation as chairman of the PNM, with immediate effect”.
Young’s decision follows Rowley’s statement on Wednesday that he intends to tender his resignation as the PNM leader, during the party’s General Council meeting later on Wednesday.
“On January 06, 2025 I indicated my intention to step down as Political Leader of the People’s National Movement with the party holding a convention to elect a new Political Leader in September,” Rowley wrote in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
He said in March, on his last day in office as prime minister, he informed the country that, “although my term as Political Leader legally runs until 2026, it was my intention to vacate this position at the earliest opportunity in consultation with the Leadership of the Movement.
“Today I will address the General Council and tender my resignation as Political Leader of the People’s National Movement which will take effect from tomorrow – Thursday 01 May, 2025,” he said, adding “this completes my disengagement firstly in the Government (March 16, 2025) and finally, in the party, (May 01, 2025).”
“I offer my sincere thanks to all for the opportunity to be of service in the various offices. I extend my best wishes to the PNM and the nation,” he added.
The PNM is also expected to name on Wednesday, the Opposition Leader from among the 13 oppositin legislators.
