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| File: ILP interim leader Jack Warner |
In a media release the interim leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) said his decision is because of the "unwillingness and refusal" of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to participate in the debate.
"The position of the ILP is consistent with the rules set by the Debates Commission that tomorrow's (Tuyesday's) debate is intended to be a debate among the Political Leaders and no substitutions would be allowed," Warner said.
He noted that when the Debates Commission contacted the ILP the party "publicly indicated our complete willingness and availability to engage the other Political Leaders". However he said that was based on the understanding that the ILP would only participate in the debate if the leaders of all the political parties that are contesting the Local Government Elections would be present.
"The People's Partnership (PP) is a coalition that is led by the Political Leader of the United National Congress (UNC), Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, and not by any other official of any of the parties in the coalition." Warner said. "The Political Leader of the Congress of the People (COP) is not the leader of the government. For any debate to be meaningful, therefore, the leader of the PP must be present," he added.
The ILP said it views the October 21 Local Government Election "as a referendum on the conduct and performance of the government and the PP" and therefore "the purpose of the debate would not be served if the leader of the PP is not present to field the questions of the Debates Commission."
He said it would be unfair to other leaders if they subject themselves to scrutiny while Persad-Bissessar would not. Warner added that the purpose of the debate would not be served if the leader of the government is not present.
He noted that when the Debates Commission contacted the ILP the party "publicly indicated our complete willingness and availability to engage the other Political Leaders". However he said that was based on the understanding that the ILP would only participate in the debate if the leaders of all the political parties that are contesting the Local Government Elections would be present.
"The People's Partnership (PP) is a coalition that is led by the Political Leader of the United National Congress (UNC), Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, and not by any other official of any of the parties in the coalition." Warner said. "The Political Leader of the Congress of the People (COP) is not the leader of the government. For any debate to be meaningful, therefore, the leader of the PP must be present," he added.
The ILP said it views the October 21 Local Government Election "as a referendum on the conduct and performance of the government and the PP" and therefore "the purpose of the debate would not be served if the leader of the PP is not present to field the questions of the Debates Commission."
He said it would be unfair to other leaders if they subject themselves to scrutiny while Persad-Bissessar would not. Warner added that the purpose of the debate would not be served if the leader of the government is not present.
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