Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar came out fighting on Monday night, sounding a stern warning to former national security minister and Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner that she is ready to do battle in defence of the UNC. Persad Bissessar, addressing the party’s Monday Night Forum in Warrenville said: “Losing is not an option.” The Prime Minister told constituents they have to keep their party in government.
“Because this is not about an election in Chaguanas West alone. This is about the future of your government. This is about your future and your children’s future,” she said. She told supporters they have an important decision to make and must use careful consideration when choosing their MP. Without mincing words, Persad-Bissessar urged supporters not to be “fooled” by the “twisted logic” being used by Warner.
She said: “He is telling you to support his new party. He is saying his vision has not changed, but he wants to fight against the UNC. I will not ask you to support your party blindly. What I will ask you is to consider who we are and why you have supported us over the years.” She also questioned Warner’s motive to contest the Chaguanas West by-election. “There can be no doubt that the objective of the former MP is to take Chaguanas West into the hands of the PNM,” she said.
“The objective is to give (Keith) Rowley Chaguanas West. What the PNM could not do for 50 years openly, they are now trying to do it through the back door.” She once again rejected Warner’s proposal for his party to join the PP coalition. “There is no room,” she said. However, the Prime Minister issued a call for Warner to withdraw his nomination if he is serious about returning to the PP and the UNC. “I say join the Government before July 29, withdraw your nomination now! Clear you name and we will welcome you back,” she said.
“But if you fight the mighty UNC you cannot come after you stone down the house of the rising sun to seek solace in the very house you want to burn down.” Persad-Bissessar told supporters they had a battle on their hands and if they do not want the PNM to get Chaguanas West they have to “fight with every muscle and every drop of sweat and blood to defend your party—our UNC and your UNC candidate (Khadijah Ameen.)” The Prime Minister said it was time to bring the “cabal talk” to an end once and for all.