Suruj says Jack redefined representation as MP for Chagunas West

Suruj Rambachan and Jack Warner have had their political wars, but that was all in the past Monday night as the UNC deputy leader introduced the party's chairman as an MP who redefined what representation is during the short time since he was first elected in November 2007.

To highlight the point a video presentation ahead of Warner's speech outlined the MP's work in and out of Parliament on behalf of the people of Chaguanas West.

It was Warner's "coming out" event for the 2010 election campaign, the first mass meeting in his constituency. And the event attracted thousands of supporters from the neighbourhood and from across the country.

Warner thanked Rambachan and began with picong at the PNM saying if it was a PNM meeting it would have been cancelled because of the rain. He was referring to a recent PNM meeting in Cunupia that was called out because of inclement weather.

The UNC chairman said when Manning dissolved Parliament he effectively left every citizen without Parliamentary representation. "I want to tell Mr Manning tonight though he dissolved Parliament he did not dissolve my representation for you", he said.

He pledged even greater service when then people re-elect him in 2010.

Warner paused to introduce his leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar, using a video presentation on the campaign theme, WE WILL RISE!

"I have never seen such outpouring of love for a leader in my lifetime. I want you to take that love and make a difference on May 24," he said.

Warner spoke about the continuing mayhem and bloodshed in the country with eight murders over the weekend and blamed Patrick Manning and his national security minister for the nation's high number of homicides, which has reached 161 for the year.

"The first duty of any government is to protect its citizens... and Manning has failed at that," Warner said.

"This nonesense of Patrick Manning only has four more weeks to go...four more weeks when this would-be emperor would have no clothes," he predicted.

He attacked Manning for abusing state resources with what he called "shameless" use of taxpayers money to advertise Manning's Vision 20-20. He called it political advertising and said Manning will have to answer for it.

Warner called Manning a liar for saying he could not give CEPEP workers a pay rise for the past eight years because of a downturn in the economy, which he noted did not start until 2008. He said Manning should explain to CEPEP workers why he allowed billions to be spent by Calder Hart while workers were left wanting.

He urged citizens to vote out Manning and the PNM. "In every case where you see the balisier, vote for the other symbol." He said he hopes for God to protect UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar because "the hope of this country lies on her shoulder."