Warner: Kamla can't win general election in 2025

Former politician Jack Warner said UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar cannot win the next general election in 2025, saying she will be slaughtered by the ruling PNM

He made the statement at a virtual meeting on Wednesday in support of Vasant Bharath for the leadership of the UNC. Bharath is leading the Team Lotus slate in the December 6 UNC internal elections.

Warner said that at the next general election Persad-Bissessar will be 73 and she and the UNC will be slaughtered by the PNM.

“Kamlamania is dead,” he said.

Warner, a former close ally of Persad-Bissessar in the 2010 campaign, resigned in 2013, in the midst of corruption allegations against him in his role of Fifa vice president. He is currently challenging extradition proceedings to the US on criminal charges arising out of that matter.

Warner went on to form his own political party, the Independent Liberal Party, which successfully contested the Chaguanas West by-election but faded after that victory.

In contrast to the political excitement surrounding the UNC in the 2010 general election, Warner said, the UNC is now overshadowed by a dull mood which will continue unless change comes.

“To survive, the UNC must change and re-brand itself. Kamla has forgotten how to win."

He urged listeners to reject the rhetoric that the party has grown under Persad-Bissessar and she was the saviour of the UNC.

Warner said, “Kamla does not have the image to win the support of the national community. Vasant does.”

He blamed her for the UNC’s inability to win St Joseph and La Horquetta/Talparo in the August general election.

“The UNC needs a leadership change. Vasant presents a sober image.”

While the UNC got into government in 2010 with coalition partners, Warner slammed Persad-Bissessar for trying to go it alone since then, when it was clear she could not win alone.

He said while Persad-Bissessar was allegedly the butt of jokes, Bharath’s expertise had been sought out by many people both in TT and abroad.

“With Vasant as head of the party, you will be back in government again.

“The thousands who left you, like me, will not return to the UNC, but with Vasant as head, all of we coming back.”

Referring to results in national and local elections, Warner said, “Kamla has had her time and failed 11 times.”

He said the world is shifting towards electing younger leaders.

“If you vote for her at 73, she can’t help you.”

Warner spelt out Bharath's virtues by saying in 2010 he had once fended off the Congress of thePeople challenge to the UNC's dominance of TT's opposition politics and that his name was not tarnished.

Furthermore, he added, only Bharath's slate offered UNC voters a manifesto and 100-day plan.