Jack outlines agenda, urges UNC members not to give up on the dream

Jack Warner announced in St Augustine Thursday that he has the membership list of the United National Congress (UNC) despite obstacles "placed in our path to see the Party membership list by packing Rienzi with a new staff of nieces and family".

His comment was in reference to changes at the party headquarters that includes the appointment of a relative of the wife of the UNC leader to oversee operations relating to membership ahead of the party's January 24, 2010 internal vote.

"I want to publicly inform you that I have been able to get an official copy of the Party's membership list, a list of some 130,000 members," with all the relevant information of each member.

He said he intends to make copies available to each candidate who is contesting the election "so that he or she can check the list of voters with a critical eye".

He also announced that in order to ensure "a free and fair election we are making efforts to get a body of independent observers to supervise and audit the elections and we will keep you informed of developments on this initiative as they arise."

Warner said, "We intend to employ about 50 persons for close to a month and establish phone banks in Chaguanas and Arima and with the membership lists that we now have, these persons will call every Party member and remind him or her of his/her duty to ensure change within the Party".

Speaking about his decision to run for the chairmanship of the party, the Chaguanas West MP said his experience both locally and at the international level make him "eminently qualified" for such an office.

And he outlined a plan of action for his first 100 days in office:

• Submit for the consideration of the Party a new Rule Book and a new Party constitution for the approval of the Party membership. (The plan is for copies in Hindi for members of the party who prefer such a document)
• Oversee and manage the governance, organization, growth and development of the Party and its units
• Do such things so as to make the Party fit to govern and thereby fit to improve the lives of our people

He promised to give further details at subsequent meetings.

He also set the tone for the campaign. "While others take the low road, I intend to take the high road...I have no intention of going down to the low level of others...If I cannot bring them up to my level, I have no intention of going down to theirs."

He added, "In some ways, tonight I predict your future. I ask you not to give up on a dream, a dream of a better Trinidad & Tobago.

"This Party has a great future. Do not be frustrated. Do not give up. Your dream, our dreams, will come to pass. The Fridays of your lives will soon be over and soon you will only experience the Sundays!" he said.