Taylor was a member of PAM’s legal team that also included Trinidad and ‘s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesar and Barbadian Opposition MP Mia Mottley, in the landmark “boundaries case”, brought before the courts here, just before the last General Elections.
Mr. Taylor’s election was sealed when the party convened its annual Caucus, at its headquarters on Sunday, when over 200 delegates from the 8 constituencies on St. Kitts, met to review the work of the organization over the past year and to elect the new officers.
At the conclusion of the exercise, Mr. Taylor ran un-opposed and was therefore unanimously elected as the new Chairman of PAM, with Dr. Charles Warner as his Deputy Chairman. Filling the position of Treasurer was Mr. Valentine Lindsay, while Ms. Rhyllis Percival was voted in as the new Assistant General Secretary. The officer elected to spearhead the party’s public relations department was Mr. Stephen Duggins.
Other positions that were up for election were the two spots for Deputy Political Leader, and the delegates demonstrated their confidence in Members of Parliament, Messrs Eugene Hamilton and Shawn Richards, whom they returned respectively.
Chairman Taylor explained that according to the constitution of the party, the General Secretary is a nominated position and in accordance with those guidelines, the individual has to be appointed by the National Executive but this could only be done after the executive is approved and installed at the upcoming National Convention, which is slated for 3rd April this year.
The new PAM Chairman also explained that the post of National Political Leader was not up for election this year, given that the incumbent, Mr. Lindsay Grant was elected for a 3 year term in 2010, which means that his term is not due to expire until 2013.
Reports were presented to the Caucus by representatives of various arms of the party, including the National Women’s Group, the Treasurer, the eight constituency groups and the Young Pamites.
A number of far-reaching recommendations were also tabled by delegates for the consideration and implementation of the National Executive.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Taylor showered praise and appreciation for the hard work and sacrifice of the last Executive, especially the former Party Chairman, Mr. Sidney Osborne who did not seek re-election.
The Caucus was held under the theme, “Restoring Trust and Fiscal Responsibility” and ran from about 2:00pm until 6:00pm.