The Movement for Social Justice confirmed on Monday that his party will not attend Thursday's People's Partnership rally to celebrate the second anniversary of the 2010 general election victory.
In March, the MSJ sent the partnership a list of 10 demands to be resolved by May 24. In that statement, the party said, “The MSJ will hold the government to
account with respect to the issues that we have placed on the agenda and will
continue our appraisal exercise as to whether the interests of labour and the
national community are being addressed."
The four other members of the partnership have said they will attend and speak at the rally. The former leader of the MSJ, Labour Minister Errol Mcleod has also stated that he will attend and speak at the event in Chaguanas.
McLeod, who was elected the MP for Point-a-Pierre as a member of the United National Congress (UNC), was leader of the MSJ when he signed the Fyzabad Declaration to commit the MSJ to the partnership.
McLeod, who was elected the MP for Point-a-Pierre as a member of the United National Congress (UNC), was leader of the MSJ when he signed the Fyzabad Declaration to commit the MSJ to the partnership.
MSJ became a political party after the general election and McLeod resigned as leader, passing the torch to David Abdulah.
In March, the MSJ sent the partnership a list of 10 demands to be resolved by May 24. In that statement, the party said, “The MSJ will hold the government to
account with respect to the issues that we have placed on the agenda and will
continue our appraisal exercise as to whether the interests of labour and the
national community are being addressed."
It added, "If, by May 24th 2012 – the second anniversary of the Partnership coming to office, the government fails to genuinely address these issues, the MSJ will have no alternative but to reconsider our relationship with the People’s Partnership."
In his statement on Monday Abdulah stated that the MSJ is not satisfied with the state of affairs and therefore it has decided not to attend the rally this week. He stated:
"We do not believe that it is appropriate for a celebratory event to be held to mark the second anniversary of the People’s Partnership winning the general elections of 2010. In keeping with this position the Party will not be attending the Rally and the Political Leader will neither attend nor speak."
He added, "To demonstrate our concerns with governance in the state sector we
will be withdrawing all our members from state boards, with the exception of the tri-partite (labour, business, government) boards."
Abdulah added that the MSJ will "continue our appraisal exercise on the issues and particularly that of governance and shall share our further assessment at an
appropriate time."
He invited citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to actively participate "in the process of building the MSJ as the party that represents your interest – the interest of the 90% of this country that want good government: clean, non-ethnic, non-discriminatory participatory and with policies that are based on social justice, equity, peace and sustainable livelihoods for all."
will be withdrawing all our members from state boards, with the exception of the tri-partite (labour, business, government) boards."
Abdulah added that the MSJ will "continue our appraisal exercise on the issues and particularly that of governance and shall share our further assessment at an
appropriate time."
He invited citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to actively participate "in the process of building the MSJ as the party that represents your interest – the interest of the 90% of this country that want good government: clean, non-ethnic, non-discriminatory participatory and with policies that are based on social justice, equity, peace and sustainable livelihoods for all."
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| Jack Warner, Ag. PM |
Abdulah stopped short of stating that the MSJ will leave the partnership and he did not say if he will continue to retain his seat as a government Senator.
In reaction, acting Prime Minister Jack Warner made a note of that. "It is interesting to note that Senator Abdullah sought to withdraw his members from State Boards but stopped short of his own withdrawal as a Senator," Warner said.
"It is of further interest that this action was taken just 24 hours prior to the scheduled return of the Honourable Prime Minister to our country.
In reaction, acting Prime Minister Jack Warner made a note of that. "It is interesting to note that Senator Abdullah sought to withdraw his members from State Boards but stopped short of his own withdrawal as a Senator," Warner said.
"It is of further interest that this action was taken just 24 hours prior to the scheduled return of the Honourable Prime Minister to our country.
"One would have imagined if not out of respect, then out of prudence, Senator Abdullah would have afforded the Prime Minister the opportunity to learn of his decision and allow for any discourse with the leaders of the Partnership.
"But the people will be the ultimate judge of the decisions which we all make and the manner in which they are arrived at.
"The Prime Minister has been appraised of the matter and has advised that she will be dealing with all matters surrounding the MSJ’s decision upon her return."
"But the people will be the ultimate judge of the decisions which we all make and the manner in which they are arrived at.
"The Prime Minister has been appraised of the matter and has advised that she will be dealing with all matters surrounding the MSJ’s decision upon her return."
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