PM Kamla wishes Abdulah well, says his demands were 'impossible, unreasonable and reckless'

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had an immediate response to the resignation of David Abdulah from the Senate and his announcement that the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), which he heads, would withdraw from the People's Parnership.

She said Abdulah's demands were always "impossible, unreasonable and reckless", adding that he remained "trapped in isolationist thinking."

The PM's statement is transcribed below:

David has informed me of the decision by the MSJ to withdraw from the People Partnership government and I am in receipt of his letter of resignation from the Senate. I respect the decision of the MSJ and David so to do.

I am compelled to tell you that the list of demands made by David over the past few months were always impossible, unreasonable and reckless.

It seems David's entrance into Government never allowed him the advantage of a national perspective. He remained trapped in isolationist thinking. You cannot negotiate Governance like a Labour Union leader representing the interest of only one group.

In Government your responsibility is larger than that; it seems not everyone can make the shift. As for David's accusations they are vacuous and without a shred of evidence.

We have established a more transparent and accountable Government than any other before. David's comments and criticism as a parting shot fired from the gun of a new political aspirant is an ambitious quest for power.

We do take this opportunity to thank him for his service and wish him all the best.

We will continue with our labour agenda regardless of the absence of the MSJ. Minister Errol Mac Leod, whose life long dedication to the struggle of the labour movement can never be challenged, remains as a huge resource within the Peoples Partnership Government.

So in a sense, the government can be strengthened by David's predictable but timely departure.