Kamla: Close this 'wicked Stuart Young chapter'

UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, is pleading with voters to go out and vote for the end of what she called "this wicked Stuart Young chapter."

"Close this wicked chapter on this decade of destruction each of us has endured," she told supporters.

"You have had leaders before me, you will have leaders after me, but you will never ever have a leader who loves you more than I do."

She spoke at a campaign meeting at Vickar's Country Club Ltd at Rochard Douglas Road in Barrackpore on April 24.

The meeting falls within the Moruga/Tableland constituency which incumbent Michelle Benjamin is hoping to retain.

Persad-Bissessar criticised the PNM Government on various issues, including the shutting down of Petrotrin, the cutting of education support like laptops, textbooks, and school transport, as well as the rising cost of living.

She said, "Despite the battering, bruising, pain, and punishment of this PNM government, we have held together."

"We are on the cusp of one of the most momentous elections in our beloved nation’s history. What you decide on April 28 in the voting booth will determine your future and your family's for generations to come. We have the initiatives, we have the solutions, we have the purpose."

She highlighted some of the issues she and her party intended to address once elected, including economic diversification, job creation, and a food sovereignty strategy.

"We will transform agriculture into a high-value, tech-enabled, export-driven industry capable of feeding our people, generating foreign exchange, creating sustainable jobs, and protecting our environment," the opposition leader said.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, my compassionate, courageous, and competent leadership improved you and TT in every sense."

She promised new opportunities under her leadership.

"Ask yourself this question: If you wanted someone to look after the welfare of your children, would you entrust their safety to the bully Stuart Young or to me, who loves you and your children?"

"The PNM government has abandoned an entire generation. The UNC will not abandon our future generation. There is a place and space for you all. As we promised throughout this campaign: When the UNC wins, everybody wins."