Cadiz takes a "sabbatical" from UNC Alliance

Less that one week after Jack Warner convened a meeting of the United National Congress Alliance (UNC-A) that he formed in 2007 with UNC Leader Basdeo Panday to contest the general election, one of the members is leaving the group's Leadership Council.

Related: Jack convenes meeting of UNC A

In a letter to Warner and other members of the political group Stephen Cadiz of YESTT said he is taking "a sabbatical from all political party activities."

Cadiz, who didn't take part in the 2007 election because of disagreements with the leadership, said he wants to focus on educating the people about the political process and will operate YESTT as a non-profit organization that is not affiliated to any single political group.

"It is with this in mind that I find myself in the position whereby I must take I need to get the support from all the players and to be associated with any one in particular will undoubtedly present me with a major problem. YESTT is now a non-profit organisation," Cadiz wrote.

He expressed deep concern for the state of affairs in Trinidad and Tobago today. "We only have to listen to Mr. Manning's PNM Convention speech and we will understand how much of a problem we are in," he said.

Cadiz said he is working to educate the general public on the process of Referendum and the right to Recall, adding that he sincerely believes that "unless we change the way in which we view our politics and politicians we will never end the mess and confusion that we have had to deal with over the last 50 years."

He is also working towards getting these processes enshrined in the Constitution. He said he plans to work hard to convince the electorate that Trinidad and Tobago must not allow the Parliament to vote on a Constitution "unless we the people have the say i.e popular vote i.e Referendum."

Cadiz said because of the kind of national support he needs for these initiatives he would not be in a position to continue on the Leadership Council of the UNC Alliance "nor will I be in a position to participate in any of its activities."

He added, "I trust that you will understand and support my decision and with all of us playing a part, in our different ways, we will succeed in making T&T the place that it should be."