Kamla Persad-Bissessar spoke on Wednesday night about the commitment made by Justice Volney who quit his post as a high court judge to run as a candidate for the UNC in St Joseph. She said Volney's selfless act demonstrates the level of total commitment from the whole country. Everyone, she said, is coming together to rescue the country.
Read the story: Judge quits to run as UNC candidate
The UNC leader promised again that under her leadership there will a two-term limit for prime ministers and added that there will also be fixed dates for national elections. "But most important of all, there will be no more Patrick Manning after May 24. Vote him out," she said.
She reminded her audience that "democracy is about you and each of us...democracy is about freedom...so on May 24 go to the polls and vote them out and together, we will rise. Let us rise together and make May 24 freedom day, liberation day in Trinidad and Tobago."
Persad-Bissessar described San Juan as place that represents the nature of Trinidad and Tobago society and lamented the presence of crime in the community that has brought an unwelcome aspect of life in San Juan.
She blamed the Manning government for lacking the will to deal with crime. "Look at where they have brought us. Look at what is happening to our communities...
"Manning and Joseph are an absolute waste of time...they have failed to do the job for which you elected them," she said.
Persad-Bissessar said the whole Manning regime must go. "Tonight we say Manning not going back...the people say so...Manning going out!...Patrick have to go."
She also had a message to non-supporters. "To PNM people I say to you let us unite to get rid of Manning." She promised that no one has anything to fear under her leadership.
"You have nothing to lose...you have everything to gain. So tonight I call upon you. Let us take back our country...let us make political and economic progress," she said.
She took issue with Manning for his criticism of her leadership and said he should not worry about her but about his own leadership. "Everybody in Trinidad say Patrick have to go." She said under the People's Partnership there is no safe seat for the PNM in Trinidad and Tobago.
The UNC leader also demanded that Manning leave the media alone. "Let them do their jobs!" she demanded. "What good things can anybody say about Patrick. Does he want the reporters to lie?"
She warned all government employees that if they use state funds for campaiging they will face the consequences when a new government takes office.
She said now is the time for citizens to stand up for the country and leave Manning behind. The UNC leader said crime is the country's number one problem in the country and peldged to deal decisively with criminals.
She said she will not fraternize with criminals posing as community leaders and also promised a DNA bank to deal with crime. In additrion she promised that any police officer who is corrupt would be promptly weeded out.
The current situation speaks to moral decay by a leadership that considers the loss of life mere collateral damage, she said and pledged a multi-pronged attack to reinstate safety and security. It would include an attack on white collar crime as a priority.
Persad-Bissessar also promised to harness modern technology to help police fight crime. She said she will also put a stop to the practice of spying on private citizens.
She made it a point to promise to get police on the streets and to introduce a community court to deal with crime. The UNC leader also said she would re-egineer the justice system to make it more effective. This will include protection for witnesses and jurors.
Persad-Bissessar also said she would deal with rehabilitation to end the "revolving door" syndrome where people who commit crimes end up returning to crime as soon as they are released from jail.
She concluded by dealing with Manning's statement that he has nothing to gain by debating with her. She said that is the real problem because all he thinks of is what he can gain, instead of thinking of what the people can gain.
She said she is ready anytime, any place to debate Manning. "If you fraid to come, ah taking on anyone you send to that debate!" She suggested that he could send Calder Hart to explain what happened at UDeCOTT.
"It is not about you, it is about the people...people first, second, third...Mr Manning is concerned about what is best for him, not what is best for the people."
Persad-Bissessar also said Manning cannot debate her because he cannot discuss his record or outline any program for the nation.
She invited everyone "to hold my hand and let us walk hand in hand...to rescue this nation. Let me tell you tonight the only weak leader in this country is a man, not a woman."
She told manning he has "failed the future generations of this beloved country. Patrick leave and go... friends, take my hand...let us embark on this historic journey... we will be free again and we will rise," she said.
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