MP Benjamin: UNC doesn't need political facelift

MORUGA/Tableland MP Michelle Benjamin says the United National Congress (UNC) does not need a political facelift ahead of the next general election.

She made this comment in reference to the Prime Minister's announcement on January 3 in Tobago that he is retiring from electoral politics and Dr Rowley's subsequent announcement that Energy Minister Stuart Young had been selected to succeed him as prime minister.

Benjamin was screened at the party's headquarters in Chaguanas on January 8 to stand for re-election in this year's general election. Also screened were her fellow incumbents:

• Davendranath Tancoo (Oropouche West)
• Dr Rishad Seecheran (Caroni East)
• Dr Lackram Bodoe (Fyzabad)

Benjamin said, "We have one party, one leader."

She was confident about being chosen to stand for re-election. Tancoo, Bodoe and Seecheran expressed similar sentiments.

Benjamin said Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar was the best person to become the next prime minister. Tancoo said, "It is chalk and cheese."

He added Persad-Bissessar had the vision to save Trinidad and Tobago. Tancoo was accompanied by Penal/Debe Regional Corporation councillor Krishna Persadsingh, who was also nominated for Oropouche West.

Persadsingh said the party will pick the right candidate for the seat.

Tancoo, who is also UNC chairman, said the screening exercise was fair and the party should accelerate its candidate selection in the next few weeks. UNC supporters engaged in Carnival-like celebrations while the screening was going on.

To date, the UNC has selected seven candidates.

The UNC screened its first nominees in Chaguanas on November 29. Saddam Hosein, Vandana Mohit and Michael Dowlath were chosen as candidates for Barataria/San Juan, Chaguanas East and San Fernando West respectively.

Hosein and Mohit are the incumbent MPs for their respective constituencies.

A second screening took place in Chaguanas on December 12.

On December 22, the UNC announced the selection of John Michael Alibocas (San Fernando East); Dr Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj (Arouca/Lopinot); Richard Smith (Trincity/Maloney); and Devesh Maharaj (Aranjuez/St Joseph)