Kamla wants strong showing at internal poll

Despite suffering from the effects of a cold, which include a sore throat and a nagging cough, incumbent UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has described the party’s November 26 internal election as one in which the party’s membership can send a “strong message” to the ruling PNM administration that they were prepared to contest and win the next general election.

“It is very important that we send a very strong signal to the true enemy, the PNM, that we say to them here we are, that we are a strong party, our members have come out in full support, we are strong, we are solid and you better watch out because we are coming for you next Dr Rowley,” she said. Addressing a cottage meeting at the Macaulay Community centre, Claxton Bay, on Monday night, Persad-Bissessar observed the party, not only had to do some soul searching following its loss at the 2015 general elections, but had to accept collective responsibility for the loss.

She said unity was key to winning any election and cited the numerous occasions where the party had experienced a split as occurred in 2000 and 2007, when splinter groups such as Team Unity and the Congress of the People emerged to contest those respective elections.

“Once we divide we lose. Let us get it clear. If we hold together, we will win.”

Persad-Bissessar also trained her guns on Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan saying he had “great and serious questions” to answer regarding the Cabo Star – which she renamed the “Corbeaux Star” – and the Ocean Flower II.