Now is the time to move forward to save T&T: Kamla

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar told supporters of her United National Congress in Miami over the weekend that she is convinced that Prime Minister Patrick Manning will call a snap election.

And she said when that happens the opposition will defeat Manning’s People’s National Movement (PNM).

"I did not enter this race to be Opposition Leader. I repeatedly said that during my election campaign in January.

"I am of the view that the country needs change, a new government, new perspectives on governance, new hope and new vision,” Persad-Bissessar said.

"I believe that I can deliver this to the country. I believe that the UNC can rebuild Trinidad and Tobago."

She told her audience that UNC chairman Jack Warner has already activated the party's National Campaign Team and that he will report on plans for an election when the national executive meets on Wednesday.

The party has asked all constituencies to complete the nomination of candidates by April 12. Screening begins the next day.

While the UNC is looking at candidates in all constituencies, the party is also holding discussions with the Congress of the People (COP) to agree on a unity formula that will involve sharing seats and a common platform.

The leaders of both parties have already agreed in principle that only one opposition candidate will fight the PNM in each constituency.

"Our nation is at a decision point. We can stay in the same place, with all the inefficiencies, corruption, crime, absence of transparency, and so on....or we can go forward. I am convinced that the only way we can go is forward. We owe it to our children and to their children," Persad-Bissessar said.

She credited her party's new leadership for bringing the Manning regime to its knees.

She also said what made the difference was the media's investigative journalism and "public outrage at revelations of mismanagement and evidence of corruption in high public office, and the government’s failure to take decisive action in the light of this corruption and crime in general."

Persad-Bissessar returns to Trinidad Tuesday.