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| File: UNC Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar with Deputy Leader Suruj Rambachan in 2010 |
In an interview with Ruskin Mark on the state television station CNMG, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communication said he respects the views of the people and they will determine whether he should be endorsed and returned as a deputy leader of the United National Congress (UNC) in Saturday's UNC election.
Rambachan gave the interview following a mass political rally at Debe Junction in South Trinidad in support of the Nationalists team, led by a UNC deputy leader, Roodal Moonilal.
Most of the members of the team are seeking re-election, having served on the UNC's national executive since January 2010. Rambachan and Moonilal are two of the three incumbent deputy leaders.
Rambachan gave the interview following a mass political rally at Debe Junction in South Trinidad in support of the Nationalists team, led by a UNC deputy leader, Roodal Moonilal.
Most of the members of the team are seeking re-election, having served on the UNC's national executive since January 2010. Rambachan and Moonilal are two of the three incumbent deputy leaders.
The third incumbent - Lyndira Oudit - is not seeking re-election in that post. Newcomer Marlene Coudray is running for the third deputy position. It's the first time that the San Fernando mayor, who is a former member of the Congress of the People (COP), is running for office in the party.
Rambachan spoke of his political career, noting that he first entered national politics in 1981 with the Organisation for National Reconstruction (ONR) led by Karl Hudson-Phillip. At 31 he was deputy leader of the ONR. He praised his first political leader for giving him the opportunity and mentoring him.
He noted that he contested three general elections and it was only in 2010 that he won a seat in Parliament as the MP for Tabaquite.
Rambachan said he has no plans for retirement. He turns 63 on April 14 and is planning to continue his work in politics. He said one of his goals is to help prepare a new generation of UNC politicians. Rambachan stated that everyone talks about giving the youth a chance. However, no one is helping to mentor them and prepare them for leadership.
About his own career as foreign minister, Rambachan said it's hard work that he enjoys immensely. He told Mark that most nights he gets just about three hours of sleep because of the commitment to the work that must be done. As foreign minister, he said, you must get it right the first time; there is no room for mistakes, he added.
Rambachan also heaped praised on his leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her strong leadership and guidance. He said Persad-Bissessar has governed by consensus, putting the needs of citizens ahead of everything else.
Rambachan spoke of his political career, noting that he first entered national politics in 1981 with the Organisation for National Reconstruction (ONR) led by Karl Hudson-Phillip. At 31 he was deputy leader of the ONR. He praised his first political leader for giving him the opportunity and mentoring him.
He noted that he contested three general elections and it was only in 2010 that he won a seat in Parliament as the MP for Tabaquite.
Rambachan said he has no plans for retirement. He turns 63 on April 14 and is planning to continue his work in politics. He said one of his goals is to help prepare a new generation of UNC politicians. Rambachan stated that everyone talks about giving the youth a chance. However, no one is helping to mentor them and prepare them for leadership.
About his own career as foreign minister, Rambachan said it's hard work that he enjoys immensely. He told Mark that most nights he gets just about three hours of sleep because of the commitment to the work that must be done. As foreign minister, he said, you must get it right the first time; there is no room for mistakes, he added.
Rambachan also heaped praised on his leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her strong leadership and guidance. He said Persad-Bissessar has governed by consensus, putting the needs of citizens ahead of everything else.
He also pointed out that the Prime Minister does not like "yes-men" around her.
He explained that if you tell her you are supporting her, you better have a good reason because she wants to know why.
Rambachan said the UNC is in good hands under the leadership of Persad-Bissessar and added that one of the things he proposes to bring to the national executive if re-elected is a plan for even greater democracy in the UNC.
He gave as an example a plan for wide consultation with the membership on the budget preparation. He said he proposes to ask MPs in every constituency to hold consultations with party members to get their ideas on what is important from the people level so that the budget would reflect the views from the ground level.
Rambachan said that is critically important for the success of the party and the government. He said for too long governments have ignored the people. That must stop, he said, noting that when people complain or protest they are exercising their right and a responsible government must respond.
He explained that if you tell her you are supporting her, you better have a good reason because she wants to know why.
Rambachan said the UNC is in good hands under the leadership of Persad-Bissessar and added that one of the things he proposes to bring to the national executive if re-elected is a plan for even greater democracy in the UNC.
He gave as an example a plan for wide consultation with the membership on the budget preparation. He said he proposes to ask MPs in every constituency to hold consultations with party members to get their ideas on what is important from the people level so that the budget would reflect the views from the ground level.
Rambachan said that is critically important for the success of the party and the government. He said for too long governments have ignored the people. That must stop, he said, noting that when people complain or protest they are exercising their right and a responsible government must respond.
1 comment:
Interesting that a former COP member is running for deputy leader of the UNC. Does this signify a blurring of the distinction between these two members of the coalition? Or perhaps not at all if the mayor has left COP for UNC. If the latter is the case, has there been any bad blood as a result of the switch? Most of the time if people change parties it is to cross the floor in parliament. What's interesting here is that both parties are in government.
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