Warner, Maharaj walk out on UNC; challenge party to face the people

The chasm in the opposition United National Congress (UNC) in Trinidad & Tobago grew wider Wednesday with deputy leader Jack Warner and Tabaquite MP Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj walking out on a meeting of the party's national executive and parliamentary caucus.

The party had summoned both men to explain why they were discussing the party's internal matters in public and "bringing the party into disrepute". It also wanted to know why they created a confrontation at the UNC Congress on April 22.

See related story: Warner, Maharaj to face 'inquisition'

In an email circulated to UNC members, MPs and other elected representatives as well at staff at the party's Rienzi headquarters Warner explained that he left the meeting because the chairman made a remark that he considered to be insulting "and which suggested that whatever I say will be of no consequence, no import." He said Maharaj left immediately after.

Warner also circulated a statement which he said he intended to make at the meeting. In it he stated that he did not recognize the proceedings if they constituted disciplinary action against him and Maharaj. Rather he said he was attending "to use these proceedings as yet another platform for advancing the cause of the members of our Party."

He said, "I stand here before you today guilty of asking for change within our Party so that we can change the government. I stand before you today guilty of demanding on behalf of all UNC members that internal elections which are overdue having not been held for five years are instituted now."

The statement admitted guilt for calling for unity "with all political groupings opposed to the PNM and in particular for an accommodation with the COP" and of "selflessness and courage to call for change in the Political Leadership at all levels in the Party which internal elections will decide."

He said, "I stand here today guilty of raising my voice publicly, with others, on behalf of the membership of the Party whose needs are being ignored whenever representation is made by us internally.

"I stand here today guilty of upholding the constitution of our Party. And if Ramesh and I are being held accountable for these actions, we proudly declare that it is our duty to so do," the statement added.

Warner noted that he and Maharaj were called upon to defend themselves against what the party calls indiscipline but asked who would be held responsible "for the personal attacks made against us...Who will hold each of you responsible for the vicious e-mail campaigns sponsored by the Office of the Leader of the Opposition?"

He asked whether there is one law for them and another for the Political Leader and those who do his bidding. "Who will make our Political Leader accountable for bringing our Party into disrepute?" he wondered.

Warner said he held everyone present accountable and challenged the party on behalf of its tens of thousands of supporters "who are being denied a voice" to go to the people.

"If we, Ramesh, Gypsy and I, are wrong, then I urge you to go before the people, hold the long overdue internal elections now and we will abide by the decision of the people," he said.

"Your failure to do so obliterates any justification for this meeting called today and, consequently, I will not recognise its undemocratic authority," the statement said.

Warner's campaign also issued a video release. You can watch the unedited version on YOUTUBE.