Kamla commends electorate for people's victory; says time to put aside politics and work for the people

PM Kamla Persad Bissessar speaks with reporters after voting Monday

Kamla Persad-Bissessar told supporters in Penal Monday night and again at the Rienzi Complex, Couva the people of Trinidad and Tobago won a great victory in Monday's local election.

Her United National Congress (UNC) won 5 of the 14 corporations at stake while the PNM won seven and will likely take the Chaguanas and Point Fortin corporations . The PNM, therefore can rightly claim victory in the election, having won the majority of the corporations. 

In 2010 the PNM won only three, comprared to the People's Partnership's 11.

But Persad-Bissessar also claimed victory on Monday. Her party shared the corporations with coalition partners NJAC and the Congress of the People; both of them lost to the PNM.

Speaking with supporters at her constituency office in Penal, Persad-Bissessar called on every citizen "to rise, take a bow and feel proud." She added, "This is the first time in the history of our nation that regardless of whomever you voted, every citizen has won."

The UNC won corporations in its base constituences: Penal/Debe, Siparia, Princes Town, Mayaro, Couva and won three of the seats in Chaguanas in a tie with the PNM with Jack Warner's ILP getting two. Control of the borough would be determined by the election of the four aldermen on the basis of proportional representation.

“The greatest challenge was in Chaguanas. And Guess what? we did not lose," she declared. "Seeing those results this evening we have held our base in all our areas. I concede San Juan/Laventille; we never won that, but I’ll tell you what, we won our UNC seats in that corporation,” she added
Persad-Bissessar also said proportional representation was a progressive move and part of her promise of reform.

“Today is a historic day. For decades the idea of proportional representation has been on the agenda; we made it happen," she said. 

"And so when our citizens voted today, they did not only vote for councillors but also for aldermen. In the coming days the EBC will apply the formula, will tally the votes and that will assign the aldermen. 

"A substantial bloc of voters have always been left to feel that their vote has not counted. Tonight is a national celebration of a true national victory. Not a government victory, not an opposition victory. It is a people’s victory,” Persad-Bissessar said.

She repeated what she had said all through the election campaign - that splitting the vote would favour the PNM. That happened in at least two regions where the combined vote of the UNC and ILP was higher than the PNM but the PNM won because of the three-way split.

She thanked those who supported the party and reminded them of why the UNC won. The PM also demonstrated that there is no anger or animositity against non-UNC councillors. 

“I call on all to join hands as we sit at the council tables. We pledge only one interest the people’s interest," she said. 

She called on everyone to put aside party interests and focus on the people. "Reforms will now compel all aldermen, councillors that every decision, project, discussion must be purely for the needs of the people,” she said.

"Tonight and tomorrow morning I am still your prime minister. My commitment is to ensure that as long as a focus is on service I will fight with you and stand with you. 

"I will work with whomever is elected but I tell you in my own heart we held the fortress of Siparia. May God continue to bless all of you,” she said.