UNITED FORCE
Kamla Persad-Bissessar selected as prime ministerial candidate
It is final - Trinidad and Tobago’s leading opposition parties and some trade unionists have agreed to unite and contest the May 24 general election under a single banner.
And they have agreed that United National Congress leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar would remain as the prime ministerial candidate.
Following a five-hour long meeting at Kampo Restaurant in Chaguanas last night, the United National Congress, Congress of the People, National Joint Action Committee and the Movement for Social Justice announced that the decision was taken.
’Today is an historic day. There is no turning back now. We are fully committed to this movement,’ Persad-Bissessar said.
The UNC team, led by the political leader, included chairman Jack Warner and deputy leaders Roodal Moonilal and Suruj Rambachan.
IN THEIR NUMBERS: Flag-waving supporters of the United National Congress show their colours at the party's public meeting at Emerald Plaza car park, St Augustine, on Friday night. -Photo: ROBERTO CODALLO
Winston Dookeran, political leader of the COP, added: ’For us, this is a moment in history. We now embark on a road for political battle. Perhaps this is the first time there is such a coalition of parties together, taking such a unified approach. This is a fresh start,’ he said.
Dookeran said he was certain that the coalition would now be under scrutiny by the public.
’But we see ourselves as a patriotic group and that is what Trinidad and Tobago needs,’ he said.
Dookeran said it was agreed on ’common platform’ that Persad-Bissessar would lead the team into the general election. The COP team included Dookeran, deputy leader Prakash Ramadhar and Clyde Weatherhead.
Persad-Bissessar was also endorsed by former Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) president Errol Mcleod, chairman of the Movement for Social Justice.
’We are now on our way to rescue Trinidad and Tobago,’ he said. He was accompanied by leader of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGOs, David Abdulah.
NJAC’s political leader, Makandal Daaga, led his team which included deputy political leader Nyahuma Obika. Daaga said his party was ready to join forces and he was looking forward to working with the united force. The first joint political meeting would take place next Wednesday at Fyzabad.
On Friday night, Persad-Bissessar said negotiations between the party and COP were concluded for both parties to come together to contest the May 24 general election against the People’s National Movement (PNM).
’Only a few hours ago, negotiations were concluded between the UNC and the COP,’ Persad-Bissessar told supporters at the party’s political meeting at Emerald Plaza, St Augustine.
’And as you know, there’s been a lot of talk about these talks. Is there really change in the air? Will it be different this time? Will we move forward united. Will we walk this historic road together?
’I can tell you tonight, the answer is yes. We move forward as singular, unstoppable, unwavering force for change. History is already happening. Change is already happening,’ she said.
As the crowd waved their yellow flags and posters - which bore the face of Persad-Bissessar - the Opposition Leader said it was time to take back the country from Prime Minister Patrick Manning.
’There were those who thought the UNC and COP would not come together. That we couldn’t find common ground to move our nation forward,’ she said.
’They were wrong. Patrick Manning was wrong. He didn’t want to call this election. He didn’t want to have to face the people. But we forced him and now that we have, we must grab this moment and take back our country because it was never for sale, it was never to be used for personal gain.
’So take my hand and join me on this path. Together we’ll make things right...
’And so when Patrick Manning and his friends get desperate and start the lies and the dirty tricks and that’ll be soon, believe me. It’s not going to work. This time it’s different. It’s not about him. It’s not about me. It’s about us,’ she said.
Negotiations between the UNC and the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) have already been concluded with the agreement being that the TOP will screen candidates on the sister island.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar selected as prime ministerial candidate
Carolyn Kissoon and Kristy Ramnarine
The Trinidad Express
Sunday, April 18th 2010
It is final - Trinidad and Tobago’s leading opposition parties and some trade unionists have agreed to unite and contest the May 24 general election under a single banner.
And they have agreed that United National Congress leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar would remain as the prime ministerial candidate.
Following a five-hour long meeting at Kampo Restaurant in Chaguanas last night, the United National Congress, Congress of the People, National Joint Action Committee and the Movement for Social Justice announced that the decision was taken.
’Today is an historic day. There is no turning back now. We are fully committed to this movement,’ Persad-Bissessar said.
The UNC team, led by the political leader, included chairman Jack Warner and deputy leaders Roodal Moonilal and Suruj Rambachan.
IN THEIR NUMBERS: Flag-waving supporters of the United National Congress show their colours at the party's public meeting at Emerald Plaza car park, St Augustine, on Friday night. -Photo: ROBERTO CODALLO
Winston Dookeran, political leader of the COP, added: ’For us, this is a moment in history. We now embark on a road for political battle. Perhaps this is the first time there is such a coalition of parties together, taking such a unified approach. This is a fresh start,’ he said.
Dookeran said he was certain that the coalition would now be under scrutiny by the public.
’But we see ourselves as a patriotic group and that is what Trinidad and Tobago needs,’ he said.
Dookeran said it was agreed on ’common platform’ that Persad-Bissessar would lead the team into the general election. The COP team included Dookeran, deputy leader Prakash Ramadhar and Clyde Weatherhead.
Persad-Bissessar was also endorsed by former Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) president Errol Mcleod, chairman of the Movement for Social Justice.
’We are now on our way to rescue Trinidad and Tobago,’ he said. He was accompanied by leader of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGOs, David Abdulah.
NJAC’s political leader, Makandal Daaga, led his team which included deputy political leader Nyahuma Obika. Daaga said his party was ready to join forces and he was looking forward to working with the united force. The first joint political meeting would take place next Wednesday at Fyzabad.
On Friday night, Persad-Bissessar said negotiations between the party and COP were concluded for both parties to come together to contest the May 24 general election against the People’s National Movement (PNM).
’Only a few hours ago, negotiations were concluded between the UNC and the COP,’ Persad-Bissessar told supporters at the party’s political meeting at Emerald Plaza, St Augustine.
’And as you know, there’s been a lot of talk about these talks. Is there really change in the air? Will it be different this time? Will we move forward united. Will we walk this historic road together?
’I can tell you tonight, the answer is yes. We move forward as singular, unstoppable, unwavering force for change. History is already happening. Change is already happening,’ she said.
As the crowd waved their yellow flags and posters - which bore the face of Persad-Bissessar - the Opposition Leader said it was time to take back the country from Prime Minister Patrick Manning.
’There were those who thought the UNC and COP would not come together. That we couldn’t find common ground to move our nation forward,’ she said.
’They were wrong. Patrick Manning was wrong. He didn’t want to call this election. He didn’t want to have to face the people. But we forced him and now that we have, we must grab this moment and take back our country because it was never for sale, it was never to be used for personal gain.
’So take my hand and join me on this path. Together we’ll make things right...
’And so when Patrick Manning and his friends get desperate and start the lies and the dirty tricks and that’ll be soon, believe me. It’s not going to work. This time it’s different. It’s not about him. It’s not about me. It’s about us,’ she said.
Negotiations between the UNC and the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) have already been concluded with the agreement being that the TOP will screen candidates on the sister island.
Let's hope for the best, as the people came down this partway before in 1986. We know the results and the reasons. The players might have change , hopefully the mindset , and the national interest is more of a concern.
Any progressive that places country over tribe , at all times will have my support- not only when socially and politically expedient as is often the case in our banana republic neck of the global woods.
Posted by: neal | April 29, 2010 at 17:04