Kamla and PP supporters "pass" no confidence motion in Keith Rowley

Thousands of people from across Trinidad Trinidad and Tobago converged on Mid Centre Mall Chaguanas Friday night to celebrate the third anniversary of the People's Partnership victory over the PNM in the May 24, 2010 general election.

All the founding members of the partnership were there and Persad-Bissessar acknowledged them all in opening her speech, which focused on denouncing opposition leader Keith Rowley and reaffirming the strength and unity of the partnership.

She also acknowledged the large crowd and addressed those who were watching and listening on radio, television and the Internet.

“Thank you for coming here tonight, thank you for showing full confidence in your Government! Wherever you are, whoever you are, we embrace you and acknowledge your presence as your personal motion of confidence in your Government,” she said. 

Commenting on Rowley's motion and the fallout from it, the Prime Minister declared that she was not afraid. She said, “It is before the police, it is before the Integrity Commission. Whoever else they want to send it to, I have no problem with that. They cannot distract your Government. I tell you, I have no fear.” 

She added, “My hands are clean and my heart is pure. I have nothing to fear."

She told the crowd, estimated at over 20,000: "The allegations made this week by the Honourable Leader of the Opposition in Parliament are false, malicious and reckless. We reject every single one of them! The spin on this issue stops here.”

And she called on supporters to register their own verdict on Rowley. "Tonight I ask you, do you have confidence in the Leader of the Opposition?” she asked. “No!” the crowd replied. “Do you have confidence in Dr Keith Rowley?” she asked. “No!” was the response. She said, “His motion has backfired. Today I say we have no confidence in the Leader of the Opposition.” 

She also slammed Rowley for walking out of Parliament and not voting on his own motion of no confidence in the government. 

"He was not man enough to stay in Parliament and register a vote for his own motion of no-confidence! Here was a man who wants to be Prime Minister, dragging the name of our former President through the mud, saying that the Chief Justice (Ivor Archie) was up to be bribed and conned," Persad-Bissessar said.

“They said a woman is too weak to lead. They were wrong. It took the strength of a woman to keep our coalition together because this woman knew how to listen first, put God in front and act thereafter,” she added.