Rodrigues-Birkett still to give thought to PM Candidate spot

Rodrigues-Birkett still to give thought to PM Candidate spot

Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of the Civic arm of the PPP Civic alliance, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said she has still not given much thought to whether she would accept a Prime Ministerial candidate position for the PPP Civic elections campaign simply because she has not been asked about it.

Speaking at a recent press briefing, Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett attempted to brush aside questions on the issue but said that the PPP Civic has process to choose the prime ministerial candidate and it is a process that has worked in the past.

“I have not given any consideration to that thought. There is a process in our party with respect to that and I have been in office for a number of years now and that process has always worked well and I have every confidence that it will work well again”, Rodrigues-Birkett said.

Just recently, the General Secretary of the PPP, Clement Rohee announced that the party has settled on President Donald Ramotar to lead them into the May 11 elections. He however noted that the prime ministerial candidate spot had not been settled on.

A number of names have been whispered around in the political circles about the prime ministerial candidate position. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who has served as Prime Minister for over two decades and has been the PPP Civic’s Prime Ministerial Candidate for every election since 1992 said he might consider taking another run if he is asked to do so again.

But many party insiders believe that there might be the need for a fresher face and a new candidate for the position to rally younger voters behind the PPP Civic.

One source very close to the party explained to News Source that Prime Minister Hinds may really want to step away from the position and allow some “new blood” into the combination but the party is finding it difficult to find a member of the Civic side that could easily bring the experience that Hinds would be leaving behind.

Some in the party believe that the Foreign Minister is best suited for the spot if the Prime Minister decides to step away from the race. Party insiders say they believe Rodrigues-Birkett could rally the youth, women and amerindian vote for the party all in one. However, others in the party believe she lacks political experience for such a key position on a campaign slate.

Filed: 9th February, 2015

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