[UPDATED] Young as election race heats up: 'I am afraid of no-one'

PRIME Minister Stuart Young and PEP candidate Phillip Edward Alexander, who are both contesting the Port of Spain North St Ann’s West seat in the April 28 general election, say the nomination process went smoothly.

Both men went to the Belmont Secondary School on the morning of April 4 to file their nomination papers.

Speaking with the media after completing his filings, Alexander described the process as smooth and sweet.

“The people in this office (were) perfect. We didn’t have a single problem.”

Alexander said he plans to return on April 29 to thank the Election and Boundaries Commission staff for the work they did.

He thanked his supporters and told the media he was excited to take on Young as he planned to “rescue” the constituency.

“The people of Casablanca in Cascade and Boissiere in Maraval, some of the places the media don’t cover unless its bad news, these people have suffered.

“They thought they were getting representation but they haven’t.”

He accused the government of abandoning them and described Young as a “mimic man”.

“They are happy to see Phillip Edward Alexander, the fix-it man, come to fix that.

“We will save Port of Spain North St Ann’s West while the rest of my colleagues save Trinidad and Tobago from ten years of madness.”

Alexander and his supporters – accompanied by fire breathers, moko jumbies and traditional Indian dancers – loitered in front the school afterwards while the PNM supporters and music truck remained parked a few hundred metres away.

Newsday overheard one of Alexander’s supporters saying he was hoping to see a verbal clash between Alexander and Young.

Alexander appeared to be bracing for the clash, but eventually left saying it was the “politically honourable” thing to do. “If we stay here Young will not come while I’m here, because he’s afraid, and we will win by default!”

Young arrived within minutes surrounded by a throng of supporters dressed in red jerseys and waving placards and balisier flowers. After filing his paperwork, Young was greeted in the schoolyard by students chanting his name and waving PNM flags.

He addressed them briefly before speaking with the media outside. He, too, described the process as smooth and quick.

“I did the run through last week so everything went well. I was in there for less than the time it took me to get from my campaign office (two buildings away) to here. I am ready. Red, ready and responsible.”

Young denied Alexander’s claims that he delayed his arrival to avoid a clash with him.

He chuckled, saying, “Anybody who listens to Mr Alexander, just be careful of the pathway you are being led down.”

Young then declared, “I am afraid of no-one.”

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Prime Minister Stuart Young and PEP candidate Phillip Edward Alexander who are both contesting the Port of Spain North St Ann’s West seat say the nomination process went smoothly.

Both men went to the Belmont Secondary School on the morning of April 4 to file their nomination papers.

Alexander and his supporters – replete with fire breathers, moko jumbies and traditional Indian dancers – remained in front the school after he filed his paperwork while the PNM supporters and music truck remained parked a few hundred metres away.

Newsday overheard one of Alexander’s supporters saying he was hoping to see a verbal clash between Alexander and Young.

Alexander appeared to be bracing for the clash, but eventually left saying it was the “politically honourable” thing to do.

“If we stay here Young will not come while I’m here, because he’s afraid, and we will win by default!”

Young arrived within minutes and after filing his paperwork, was greeted by students chanting his name and waving PNM flags.

He addressed them briefly before speaking with the media outside.

Young denied delaying his arrival to avoid a clash with Alexander and chuckled before declaring, “I am afraid of no-one.”