To thunderous applause from a massive crowd of more than 80,000 spilling over on all sides of the the Aranguez Savannah Kamla Persad-Bissesssar humbly asked the people of Trinidad and Tobago to make her prime minister.Her speech was preceded by the song, "I'll be there", which epitomises her political life and her pledge to the people to always work on their behalf and lead a government of the people, for the people and by the people.
She left the stage and mingled with the people before heading to the lectern.
She began with thanks to Winston Dookeran and her other colleagues in the People's Partnership for working with her to make a dream come true. And she make special mention of UNC chairman, Jack Warner.
"Your efforts have been historic because for the first time in our history we have put aside our divisions of the past for a better future and a better way," she said.
She said when the campaign began she was worried because she feared that she might not be able to get everything done in time. But then she realised that the campaign marked for the first time the coming together of all the people of the country.
"When I look and see all the different faces...I am so proud of what you have have come together to accomplish," she declared. She said the campaign is the beginning and pledged that if the people give her victory, then she will govern for all the people.
She said she is confident that together "we can solve the problem." She added, there would not be any talk of Patrick Manning because "this is the final chapter for the Project Manager".
She said she wants to focus on the future, "what we can and will do together...Trinidad and Tobago's best days are ahead of us." She said the one things that we must learn is that "we must move together or not move at all."
Persad-Bissessar said in the new order strangers of the past have become partners. She said on Monday "we are going to make history ... and we will rise!"
She spoke of the vision for a new Trinidad and Tobago in which the problem of crime would be fixed because development without security is of no use. She said a People's Partnership would attack the problem of crime at the root so that every citizen would feel secure, knowing that everything is being done to provide security, which is a fundamental right.
She said poverty and degradation are issues must be addressed if the problem of crime is to be addressed, adding that "we must break the cycle of poverty." She implored the nation to vote for change.
Persad-Bissessar said the easy approach to solving crime is not valid.
The UNC leader said life in Trinidad and Tobago will be better for everyone under a People's Partnership because of the approach to have a holistic people-centred approach to development that incorporates all the ministries.
Agricultural development will bring food security, she said, so that "we can feed ourselves. We should not be importing food."
And she addressed the need for education to meet the demands of the new technological world.
She reminded her audience that as minister of education in the UNC government she introduced dollar for dollar and ended the common entrance examination, making sure no child was ever left behind.
And she pledged again as she has done all through the campaign that the GATE program, which is the successor to her dollar for dollar assistance program for tertiary education, would be maintained and improved.
Persad-Bissessar dismissed the PNM campaign of "caring" calling it a lie because the people know that the PNM has never taken care of them. She said the people of Trinidad and Tobago are an independent people who don't want handout. "All they want is an opportunity", she said.
She said Trinidad and Tobago must remember that if "we come together, united as one, we can beat the bullies" and overcome all difficulties.
"Remember Jack Warner and his team. they made us proud, they made us rise. Thank you Jack!" she declared.
She urged the nation to change their voting behaviour although it may be difficult, explaining that if the nation continues to vote as they have done in the past, it would get the same result.
She appealed to the undecided. "We must not be afraid to change an old habit...If you do that, we will have a new beginning."
She repeated some pledges:
- No property tax
- A laptop for every student
- A $100 million life fund
- A $3,000 per month pension
- No Trinidad and Tobago revenue agency
- Ministers will take a 5% salary cut to contribute to the life fund
- Red House will remain the seat of Government
- The Coat of Arms will no longer be used on the vehicles of the Prime Minister
"We are the children of yesterday but we are the parents of tomorrow. What kind of future we want?" she asked.
"It is time to put differences aside...time to vote for a future we can believe it...the voice of the people is the voice of God...that is why I say to you always put God in front and join hands with me and walk side by side!" she said.
"Anything is possible if you believe. Now is the time to put country before self. I pledge that I will be leader for all the people of Tobago and Trinidad.
"Think of the future generations...history will show that we rescued our nation...It is in your hands...look into your hearts and souls, believe in yourself and what we can do together," she said.
She pleaded for the undecided to "give us a chance for five years and give yourself a chance for a better Trinidad and Tobago... and if we fail you, you have the power to change your government.
"We will be a government that represents all of you" she said. We have a chance to come together...let us in one voice chant, 'We will rise'! It all begins when you make that choice on May 24... and we will rise!"
1 comment:
the storm is brewing! Wash away Manning on Monday!!
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