Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced that the United National Congress (UNC) will open general election nominations for all 41 seats in Trinidad and Tobago next month.
Speaking at last night’s UNC Monday Night Report at Couva South’s Multi-Purpose Hall, Persad-Bissessar said that as the UNC prepares to enter the general election year, the UNC opens nominations in December for all general election seats in T&T.
“If as some of the guys say, you name man or woman, you’re free to put in your nomination form. So we’re looking for candidates for the general election whenever called but next year is an election year and we must start off on a strong footing to go forward,” she added.
Persad-Bissessar said though the UNC contested 31 fewer seats than the PNM in the August Local Government election, the party won 43,000 more votes and every marginal seat.
“We’ll continue the work and you’ll vote again for safety and security,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar also used the forum to accuse the prime minister of handling crime and criminals with kid gloves.
“What the hell you should be doing is locking them up and putting them behind bars. T&T is a killing field now!” she said.
She maintained the PM as the person who chairs Cabinet and the National Security Council must deal with TT’s most urgent and horrifying problem, “Why are you braksing, ducking and hiding?!”
“I’m not insulted by Rowley ducking and hiding but citizens are insulted. I understand he’s insecure with many irrational fears…but I believe we should work together for the greater good. But they clearly don’t want to explain to the country why they’re refusing to work with stakeholders or for the Prime Minister to attend. Who am I supposed to speak to at the meeting if he doesn’t attend? A ghost?”
“They’re travelling all over the world begging for help but refusing to meet our local stakeholders. They don’t want to talk to people but we will,” she said adding, UNC will have anti-crime consultations with the public.