The American public relations firm that helped put Barack Obama into the White House has developed a communications plan for Chagunas West MP Jack Warner for use by a united opposition in its fight against the governing People's National Movement (PNM).Warner disclosed this to Congress of the People (COP) leader Winston Dookeran when the two men met in Port of Spain last week to try to rebuild a political relationship they had before Dookeran left the United National Congress (UNC) to form COP.
AKPD Message and Media has already handed Warner the communication plan.
Warner had been working with some top COP officials since May when he met with top U.S. Democratic strategist Larry Grisolano and other AKPD firm executives at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain.
That meeting discussed whether any political strategies used in the Obama campaign could be helpful to the local situation.
Grisolano had told reporters, "I am now learning TT politics," adding that he did not have any magic answers to political issues in Trinidad and Tobago.
Last week, Warner gave reporters an update, saying the the firm has submitted a document for implementation.
The plan calls for the appointment of an interim UNC executive, acceptance of Warner's manifesto for change and a date for internal executive elections, which will be decided at a special UNC convention on November 29.
Read the story: Warner's Platform for Change honours Basdeo Panday
However, there could be major hurdles to cross in implementing the plan.
Warner is the UNC's deputy leader with responsibility for administration. But due his strained relations with the national executive and UNC Leader Basdeo Panday he is treated like a pariah by the party.
That's means there would be an issue of legitimacy of any UNC Congress.
For his part Warner has already said the current UNC executive lacks legal standing and has cautioned the party not to call any congress or election until a number of issues are clarified, including the updated list of financial members. He has threatened legal action if the party does not comply.
Read the story: Warner challenges 'bogus' UNC list
On the other hand Panday has Warner has no authority under the UNC’s constitution to take any of these decisions.Panday said the UNC’s national executive will meet this week to decide upon a new date for the party’s national congress, which was postponed from September 13 because the party needed time to deal with the debate of the national budget.
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