Warner slams UNC-A leadership, offers leadership based on integrity and accountability

Jack Warner lectured supporters and activists in Freeport Tuesday night on the qualities of leadership as he continued his campaign for change in the United National Congress Alliance (UNC-A). And he appealed for everyone to join a movement that promises "to catapult the UNC-A into government."

The Chaguanas West MP also launched an attack on the leadership of his own party and and told his audience he and his colleagues have realized that to remain in opposition "is a betrayal of your vote".

In an obvious reference to UNC leader Basdeo Panday, Warner said, "We are convinced that a democracy is by the people and for the people and we are no longer prepared to satisfy the grandiose perceptions of one man".

He acknowledged that he and MPs ramesh L. Maharaj and Winston 'Gypsy' Peters have been "chastised, abused, maligned, and castigated" for demanding that the people must select their leaders and that the party must be accountable to its members and supporters.

"We have been branded as traitors and dragged before a disciplinary committee because we have insisted that the party must account for the millions you have invested over the past twenty years.

"We have been threatened with suspension and expulsion because we have called on the leaders of the UNC-A to operate within the boundaries of the Party’s constitution, so because of this lack of leadership the Platform for Change has come to Freeport tonight," he said.

Warner said leaders are servants of the people who bring about an understanding and a unity of purpose among those they have been entrusted to lead. Such leaders, he argued, recognize the diversity among the followers and work assiduously on developing consensus to keep everyone in one accord.

"Such leaders do not impose themselves on their subjects but accept the mantle of leadership not for personal gain or greed but on the basis of love for the people they have been given the mandate to lead. That is true leadership", he declared.

The UNC Deputy Leader said he is merely challenging a dysfunctional leadership structure that has "drifted so far away from you the people that it has failed to realize that by the thousands you, the members are abandoning the Party, our Party, that you hoped would have led us into government".

He pointed out that history is replete of examples of dysfunctional systems that eventually fall.

"My people, now is the time for change and you are the people to make it happen. We are not here as judge and jury of the UNC-A but rather we are here to tell you that the Platform of Change will never sell out the future of our people, nor their heritage and that is called integrity," Warner proclaimed.

"That is the stuff of which leaders are made. For a better Trinidad and Tobago we need to get rid of the PNM. For a better Trinidad and Tobago we need to reorganize the way we do things. For a better Trinidad and Tobago, we need leaders of character" he said.

He promised that in the change he envisages "Your voices will be heard, your views will be respected, minorities will find a place and most of all your support will be the contribution we need to make this country a better place".