Jack tells Rowley: You are no Patrick Manning

FORMER UNC chairman Jack Warner dismissed statements by the Prime Minister that he is a spent political force.

Warner, a former FIFA vice-president and cabinet minister, also rejected Dr Rowley's assertion that he cannot help the Opposition UNC/National Transformation Alliance (NTA) coalition to defeat the PNM in the August 14 local government elections.

Rowley criticised Warner during a television interview on Thursday.

In an e-mailed statement hours later, Warner said, "Rowley is no Patrick Manning. He has neither the class, the vision, nor the intelligence with which Patrick Manning was endowed."

He said despite Manning's political acumen, "On May 24, 2010, together with Kamla Persad- Bissessar, we dismantled a PNM that he, Rowley, had helped to weaken even though they were still much stronger then than this present Rowley administration that is contesting the August 14, 2023, local government election."

Warner claimed the only reason Rowley was elected to a second term of office as prime minister in August 2020 "is because the Opposition lacked the unity of 2010."

Had the UNC been stronger in 2020, Warner said, "Rowley would not have even lasted out a full term in office because he lacks what it takes to be recognized as a leader in Trinidad and Tobago."

Warner reiterated the UNC's view that Rowley is the most hated prime Minister this country has ever voted into office.

"There is no one except die-hard sycophants who will offer him public support but deride him privately."

Warner said, "This country is not on the edge of any precipice thanks to Keith Rowley; it is over the precipice at the bottom of an abysmal valley and Rowley has no clue how to save and lift up the people of this nation."

Warner identified the rising murder toll, weakening public institutions, a declining economy, rising unemployment, a failing education system and even a doubling in the cost of doubles as examples of Rowley's failures.

"Instead of tackling these issues, Rowley wants to talk about Jack Warner."

He added that Rowley can continue to talk as much as he wants.

"The people will answer come August 14, 2023."

Warner claimed Rowley as a PNM backbencher eroded the Manning administration in 2010, helping the UNC-led People's Partnership coalition to win that year's general election.

"The same measure of betrayal Manning suffered at his hands is being levelled against him by PNMites whom he believes are his loyalists."

Warner observed that Rowley was absent at two recent PNM public meetings.

"The House of Rowley is crumbling like the foolish man in the Bible who built his house on sand."

He reiterated, "Only a fool and a coward fear attempts at unity because whenever the Opposition gets together, we are always stronger."

Warner claimed PNM supporters have shown Rowley the red card for his absences at two meetings in Chaguanas and Arima.

"They are not for me Keith Rowley; they are for you. The tide has already turned; the red has faded into orange."

Warner predicted, "The people will speak and return Kamla to the place of prominence together with Gary and Jack, your two other nemeses."

He added, "Farley (Augustine) did it in Tobago; Kamla, Gary and Jack will do it again in Trinidad."

In a separate statement UNC PRO Dr Kirk Meighoo supported Warner's views.

"He (Rowley) is clearly on his last legs and has run out of anything useful or new to say."

Meighoo claimed that Rowley was treated with kid gloves and handed questions on a silver platter during the interview.

But he said, "All he (Rowley) could offer the country was the same old excuses after excuses for his failures and after failures."