We are one, Warner tells UNC meeting

Jack Warner launched a series of consultations on behalf of the United National Congress (UNC) Monday night at which he spoke of the unprecedented victory in the internal elections, calling it "a new beginning for this glorious party."

The idea behind the consultations is to meet people in the 41 constituencies to hear their concerns. The data gathered at these meetings would be used to formulate policy. In instances where action can be taken immediately to fix the problems identified, the party would act accordingly.

Warner told his audience, "The conflicts that weakened us are no more. The fights which kept us apart have disappeared. The ideological differences over which we argued have now vanished.

"This evening I declare that we are one; we have restored the beauty and splendor once again to the rising sun. This evening we celebrate because once again the vision of our rainbow country is no longer on the horizon a decade away in 20/20; the vision is here and now.

"We have laid the foundation for a truly developed society that is united, non-sexist, non-racial, democratic and prosperous for the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

"This evening we can give thanks because we have achieved within our party political liberation."

The UNC chairman also paid tribute to the party's new leader, "a distinguished and honourable lady".

He said, "Her struggles started with the emancipation of an education system where she determined that no child shall be left behind; we stand assured that with her at the helm no citizen of Trinidad and Tobago will be left wanting.

"That is a reason to give thanks, and to that lady, I ask all of you to give thanks to Ms Kamla Persad-Bissessar...The euphoria that we experience is understandable for we have ushered in a new era."

Warner said the new UNC era is built on the ideologies of reconciliation, reconstruction and development and promised that the party will march forward with a hope for a change "in which we can all believe".

He said, "It is one that acknowledges the diversity of our people; one that heals the scars of our sometimes shameful past.

"One that gives hope for the eradication of gender inequities and the dehumanization of our women in Trinidad and Tobago yes one that puts the wrong right and sustains an environment to keep the right things right forever.

He said the dream of the new UNC is to enhance the quality of life of every citizen by reversing the Patrick Manning led PNM demise of the nation state and with the restoration of a nation "where our basic human rights are respected; where law and order is enforced, where the rights of workers as enshrined by international conventions are celebrated, where the culture of democracy is never challenged and where the promotion of the rule of law is our way of life."

He declared, "Every movement of expression must be a determination to give back to Trinbagonians its beautiful country Trinidad and Tobago which this PNM Government threatens to give away...and remember, WE ARE ONE."