Warner heralds new era, invites everyone to be part of new UNC

The new chairman of the United National Congress (UNC) Jack Warner said Wednesday the party's internal election brought hope "instead of despair, brought a sense of belonging instead of listlessness and brought a rebirth of national cohesion instead of national division."

In a speech at the inauguration of the new executive, the Chaguanas West MP said the party has been buoyed by the vision of a leadership that can be trusted. He said despite the "whining of a few", the party membership voted overwhelmingly to end the "old order, once and for all, and bringing in the new."

He said, "Overnight, the fears of yesterday have been diminished; the hopelessness that clouded our tomorrows is now quickly disappearing, the promise of a better day has now dawned upon us ushering a new era under our new political leader, the Honourable, Ms. Kamla Persad-Biessessar."

Warner called the victory a quiet confidence that the rising sun will be restored to its glory.

He also spoke about the irregularities in the leadeup to Sunday's vote taking a swipe at the old guard that he said had lost touch with the UNC membership. Warner pledge to free Trinidad and Tobago from "the failed Patrick Manning PNM Government which ruled over us with the arrogance of a heavy hand."

He also dealt with the issue raised Tuesday by outgoing UNC leader Basdeo Panday about alleged fraud involving UNc membership cards.

"The same men who tried to deny you your right to vote, who removed your names from the voters list who are now trying to deny you this victory. Today we see the same custodians at Rienzi finding now what they themselves had lost, hoping, no doubt, that this new find will change the course of this election.

"All the theatrical production of membership cards reveals is the unbounded ineptitude of the deposed Executive and the disgraceful way they conducted the business of the UNC over the years," he said.

Warner said the reintroduction of integrity in public life will have a new beginning and promised that the new leadership will always remain grounded with its membership.

He said the UNC will restore respect the truthfulness of the national anthem “Here every creed and race will find an equal place".

He extended on behalf of the executive an invitation to everyone to in "this great movement to give the country back to its people. To stop the "pain and hurt that engulfs us every day."

He spoke about a change that puts people first that will build "a society we all love; where differences of race, religion and gender, to name a few, can be celebrated. This is an invitation to join the UNC my brothers and sisters, now is the time for change; now is redemption time, now is the time to take back this country and save it for our children and our children’s children."

He thanked all who made the victory possible and invited everyone to continue the journey "until we make this country a happy home once again."