Better United: Errol Fabien in; Fuad Abu Bakr out

MEMBER of the political coalition Better United, Steve Alvarez, said that media personality Errol Fabien has joined the group but the coalition has parted ways with New National Vision (NNV) political leader Fuad Abu Bakr.

Fabien told Newsday he joined Better United because he believed in the premise and it was appealing that he could continue to campaign as an independent and did not have to join a party. He previously contested St Joseph as an independent in the 2013 by-election and the 2015 general election.

"I don't know if it will be different this time. I am going at it hard again and I will give it my best shot."

He said a lot of people have contested seats multiple times and he sees no reason to give up.

"I want to get to Parliament. I want to represent the people. But I will not get there by any means necessary but as an independent."

The NNV was one of the parties involved in the coalition, which includes the Congress of the People (COP) led by Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, Port of Spain People’s Movement led by Louis Lee Sing, the TT Democratic Front led by Anthony Williams, and the Democratic Party of TT led by Alvarez. Seepersad-Bachan previously told Newsday that the plan was for Better United to allocate the seats that each party would contest.

Abu Bakr had briefly relinquished leadership of the NNV as he sought, last week Thursday, to be screened by the PNM for the Port of Spain South seat. He was not screened, however, and the PNM PRO Laurel Lezama-Lee Sing said that he was never to be screened.

Abu Bakr later claimed that he had spoken with the Prime Minister, and Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein was his liaison officer for the process, but Dr Rowley has denied speaking with him, and Hosein told Newsday that he only told him about the process. Abu Bakr has returned to the leadership of his own party.

Alvarez told Newsday that Abu Bakr told the coalition members his plan with the PNM on May 27 after one of their weekly virtual presentations.

"Everyone was shocked. It was the first we heard about it. But everyone wished him well. Nobody has any hard feelings about Mr Abu Bakr."

He reported that he spoke with him Friday morning and told him that Better United has taken a position to go forward without the NNV and wished him all the best.

"I and everyone in Better United wishes him all success."

Asked about the coalition candidates Alvarez reported two have been confirmed: him for Moruga/Tableland and Fabien for St Joseph. He said that the parties have agreed to have meetings regarding the distribution of seats but only preliminary discussions have been held.

"We will ensure everyone who comes under the umbrella of Better United is a good quality candidate and has a chance in their area. We are not just putting up people for the sake of putting up people."

He pointed out that there are 90 days after the dissolution of Parliament for election to be called and Better United will be waiting until almost the dissolution to accommodate parties and ensure they have the widest representation of people throughout TT.

"Because we are the only viable third alternative in TT."

He added that anyone who has an anti-PNM or anti-UNC agenda would not be comfortable with Better United.

"We are not anti-anybody but pro-TT. We will offer the best quality candidates dealing with issues and solutions."