PDP, NTA ready for election driveDuke focusing of two key Tobago seats

Senior political reporter

The Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) is ready to contest general elections and will “firstly” be securing Tobago East and West in elections.

This was the word yesterday from PDP leader Watson Duke, whose party appeared to be among the few ready for polls.

Guardian Media spoke to various parties on their preparedness after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley at Thursday’s People’s National Movement (PNM) meeting in Chaguanas, said an election is due sometime “soon” and it may be the most significant election in T&T’s history.

The PNM was put on election footing since its January General Council session and the party’s awaiting word after Easter on nominations in certain areas, including United National Congress-held seats.

On whether PDP will contest all 41 constituencies in T&T or only the two Tobago seats, Duke said, “PDP’s contest is firstly securing Tobago East and Tobago West within the national elections.”

“The two candidates will be announced in due time,” he added on if he’d contest Tobago East.

PDP’s meetings will be launched in August, he said.

Duke was also asked if there has or will be any talks with former PDP colleague – now estranged – Farley Augustine, who’s Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary and who has his own Tobago People’s Party.

Duke said, “The PDP is a unifying political organisation, not part of any ‘political simmy – dimmy’. Tobago could have been better off had it not been for the selfish ambition of some who thought governing was like a classroom where citizens become children after elections.”

THA’s Augustine didn’t respond to queries on the TPP’s preparedness.

National Transformation Alliance’s Gary Griffith said, “The NTA was always more than prepared in anticipation of an election, even by the middle of this year. We were working on our candidates and in the next two weeks, we’ll be announcing some of our candidates, or constituency caretakers.”

UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other UNC leadership officials didn’t reply to texted queries on the PM’s announcement, if UNC was ready and the status of nominations and screening. UNC nominations opened last December and are expected to close soon. However, a campaign team official only said, “Elections…bring it on!”

Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) leader Phillip Alexander, challenging yesterday’s GML story on recent UNC/NTA/PEP issues, said, “As of this writing, nothing Guardian Media has reported that purports to come from the leadership of the UNC has been conveyed to me by anyone in the UNC …

“Discussions are ongoing, and while the one per cent are keen on foisting their man of business on the Opposition so they could safely play both sides, Kamla and UNC are aware Griffith failed at the height of any popularity he had, to make any difference to their fortunes – and the entire party has seen what I’m able to do with a single Saturday afternoon announcement.”

HOPE not ready, COP/GPTT alliance

The Congress of the People (COP), which recently entered an arrangement with the HOPE party, has now also cemented an alliance with the Green Party of T&T led by Everold Hosein, COP leader Kirt Sinnette said.

He added that if the Prime Minister’s words on election ring true, “In the words of our founding father – If a snap election is called, a snap decision will be made.”

“In the interim, we continue working assiduously in bringing like-minded citizens and groups together in T&T’s best interests.”

A statement from COP and GPTT said their alliance is their “unified commitment to T&T’s development”. Both aligned to work on a transformative initiative, geared towards a comprehensive sustainable national development dlan.

Their statement added, “We’re committed to fostering inclusive dialogue, encouraging all like-minded political entities/individuals to join this alliance and contribute towards formulating a robust National Development Plan.”

HOPE deputy leader (governance) Louis Lee Sing said a possible early election is the only course open to PNM’s leader.

“I’ve long said he wouldn’t do whatever his predecessor did, but Mr Manning in his grave must be smiling, as he’s about to learn that I’m wrong in my calculations!” Lee Sing added.

“Early elections is the only thing (Rowley) can do, as the forces which can only be found in the lack of performance by the Government, the viciousness of its leadership towards people who speak out against what the very leadership says and does, are a gathering force waiting to unleash a trashing not soon to be forgotten!”

Lee Sing said HOPE isn’t ready for election but was diligently doing the work. He said HOPE has been screening.

“From day one ours has been a mission to find good people wherever we’ve held a meeting,” he said.

He said HOPE remains open to any arrangement based on its belief that it doesn’t matter who is right, but what is right for T&T as priority.

“We’ve entered into an agreed position with the COP and will be working with them. Likewise we’re continuing to hold discussions with all who’ve visited us … but we’re not at liberty to provide names!” Lee Sing said.