COP, UNC unity leaves no safe seat for PNM

There is no safe seat for the People's National Movement (PNM) in the upcoming general election.

That's the view of Winston Dookeran, leader of the Congress of the People (COP).

Dookeran made the comment on Monday in response to questions from reporters about the unity accord reached between his party and the United National Congress (UNC).

The two parties have agreed that they will share seats and that only one opposition candidate will face the PNM in the election, which has to be held no later that July 8. They will have a common platform and a joint manifesto.

The unity accord aims to create a political movement that will establish a government of national unity based on the rights and freedoms enshrined in the constitution of Trinidad and Tobago.

The document outlines rules for governance and expectations of Members of Parliaments. Negotiators from both sides are working on completing their talks on developing a sustainable unity, which they hope will attract other smaller parties and NGO's

The two parties have appointed separate teams of skilled and experienced negotiators to produce a working document, reflecting the important details which will drive the final agreement.

The UNC launched its 2010 election campaign Monday night in Marabella with the PNM doing the same in St. Augustine. The UNC's next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday night in Rio Claro and the COP will hold its first political meeting in the campaign at Point Fortin on Thursday.