From Jack Warner, Chairman, United National Congress:
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| UNC chairman Jack Warner with political leader, PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar |
The critique of the Government’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations penned by Mr. Ashton Ford, the General Secretary of the People’s National Movement, reminds us once again why PNM is not in power today and why the current leadership of the PNM must never again be given any opportunity to lead this country.
Read Ford's letter: Blame government, not PNM...
By Mr Ford’s own admission, the Government never refused to recognize Dr. Eric Williams’ contribution to national development and therefore his assertions are fallacious and certainly not an excuse for the PNM withholding participation in the national celebrations of our Golden Jubilee.
What the PNM has failed to realize is that at 50 this country and its people have matured way beyond the petulant behaviour of the PNM. The representation of the masses at each event is indicative of the vote of confidence the national community has given to the Government and the planning of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The PNM rumblings are nothing more than a case of sour grapes and opposing just for opposition sake.
Mr. Ford must himself have recognized that the leader of the PNM, Dr. Keith Rowley, at no time demonstrated the class, finesse or even willingness that signaled to the Government that he would be prepared to participate without a hidden agenda in the preparations for this event.
Once the PNM is not the architect for Ford and Rowley, the thing must be destroyed; that is their modus.
This was the time when the PNM could have demonstrated to the nation that it is a responsible opposition that puts nation and country first and that it is above cheap partisan politics.
What the PNM did in our first 50 years was good Mr. Ford and I am sure like myself you have heard the moans and cries of the people who felt that as a nation we could have been much more advanced.
For the next 50 years, the People’s Partnership will ensure that the dreams and expectations of our people are realized and met and I predict that come the Centenary anniversary, our Diamond Jubilee, the People’s Partnership will once again be entrusted to lead in the celebrations.
Respectfully submitted
Jack Warner | Chairman, United National Congress
The problem with the PNM is that it has always approached governance with the view that only the PNM has the solution for any problem faced by this country; that only the views of the PNM matter.
It does not matter how successful another idea becomes if it was not birthed in the PNM, its leadership will do all in its power to ensure it fails and to discolor it.
So what if the Government did not accept Dr Rowley’s proposal lock, stock and barrel 17 months ago? Is that reason enough for the opposition to refuse to participate in the celebration of our 50th anniversary? Does that justify their divisive displays at a time when the country looked forward to unity? Does this mean that they should boycott the national religious service under the auspices of the IRO?
By Mr Ford’s own admission, the Government never refused to recognize Dr. Eric Williams’ contribution to national development and therefore his assertions are fallacious and certainly not an excuse for the PNM withholding participation in the national celebrations of our Golden Jubilee.
What the PNM has failed to realize is that at 50 this country and its people have matured way beyond the petulant behaviour of the PNM. The representation of the masses at each event is indicative of the vote of confidence the national community has given to the Government and the planning of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The PNM rumblings are nothing more than a case of sour grapes and opposing just for opposition sake.
What Ford should be mindful of is the fact that the PNM would have had the opportunity to plan both anniversary events if they had not collapsed and called the 2010 snap General Elections.
But bad PNM leadership, bad PNM governance and the best option this country has ever had for government in the form of the People’s Partnership worked in tandem to ensure that the planning of our 50th anniversary of independence rested in the competent hands of the People’s Partnership Government.
Mr. Ford must himself have recognized that the leader of the PNM, Dr. Keith Rowley, at no time demonstrated the class, finesse or even willingness that signaled to the Government that he would be prepared to participate without a hidden agenda in the preparations for this event.
The country listening to Dr. Rowley on a daily basis is now beginning to understand why Patrick Manning so aptly described him as raging bull. He fights even when there is nothing to fight over.
Once the PNM is not the architect for Ford and Rowley, the thing must be destroyed; that is their modus.
This was the time when the PNM could have demonstrated to the nation that it is a responsible opposition that puts nation and country first and that it is above cheap partisan politics.
This was the time when they could have shown that as a party aspiring to hold the reins of leadership in this country that they do not have a self-seeking or self-serving agenda.
This was the time when the opposition and government could have joined together in a symbol of unity and bring our nation together.
But this was too much to ask. Once again the PNM has failed us.
In conclusion, I wish to applaud Dr. Bhoe Tewarie and the members of his team for a job well done. The platitudes rained on this country by regional and world leaders are a clear signal that this government did a great job.
What the PNM did in our first 50 years was good Mr. Ford and I am sure like myself you have heard the moans and cries of the people who felt that as a nation we could have been much more advanced.
For the next 50 years, the People’s Partnership will ensure that the dreams and expectations of our people are realized and met and I predict that come the Centenary anniversary, our Diamond Jubilee, the People’s Partnership will once again be entrusted to lead in the celebrations.
Respectfully submitted
Jack Warner | Chairman, United National Congress
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