Opposition Leader and Political Leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM), Pennelope Beckles, has strongly defended the party against what she describes as a politically motivated campaign by the United National Congress (UNC), insisting that the PNM “has nothing to hide.”
In a statement issued on Monday, Beckles said she had met with the party’s leadership and instructed the PNM Chairman to issue a detailed response following a newspaper article published over the weekend concerning Balisier House.
She argued that the party’s 70-year legacy should not be tarnished by what she described as “desperate political attacks” from a government she claims has failed to address the country’s most pressing issues.
Beckles accused the UNC administration of shifting public attention away from concerns such as crime, unemployment, the economy, rising living costs and declining public confidence by focusing on the Opposition.
She also criticised the Government’s handling of water supply, alleging that communities traditionally supportive of the PNM have faced worsening water shortages despite substantial funding being available to improve the sector. Beckles further questioned the Government’s announcement of plans for artificial intelligence centres, arguing that basic national challenges remain unresolved.
The Opposition Leader also launched a broad attack on the UNC, describing the governing party as “politically homeless, corrupt and fraudulent,” while referencing allegations and ongoing investigations involving individuals associated with the party.
Defending the significance of Balisier House, Beckles said the headquarters represents far more than a physical building, describing it as the symbol of generations of volunteers, supporters and citizens who dedicated their time and resources to serving Trinidad and Tobago through the PNM.
She maintained that, under her leadership, the party would not allow what she called attempts to erase the PNM’s historical contributions from the nation’s political landscape.
Beckles questioned why the Government was, in her view, prioritising attacks on the Opposition instead of addressing violent crime, the cost of living and economic uncertainty affecting citizens and businesses.
She also dismissed claims that the matter surrounding Balisier House was free from political influence, noting that the newspaper article referenced a valuation report commissioned by the Attorney General, whom she described as a political appointee.
Expressing confidence in the party’s future, Beckles said she had been meeting members of the Trinidad and Tobago diaspora who remain optimistic about the PNM’s prospects at the next general election.
Concluding her statement, Beckles declared that the PNM would continue to defend its legacy, democracy and its role as the country’s Opposition, insisting that the party would withstand what she characterised as a political witch hunt.
“The PNM is not afraid. We stand on truth, dignity and justice,” she said, adding that “whether you try to cut it or burn it, the Balisier always grows back stronger.”
