‘I am here to join Mrs Persad-Bissessar and the entire team to bring this country back on an even keel’ – Jack Warner
By Prior Beharry
TEN years ago Austin Jack Warner left the United National Congress (UNC) and formed his own political party the Independent Liberal Party (ILP).
On Monday evening, he returned to the folds of UNC, calling its leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar the Nelson Mandela of local politics, vowing to earn back his place in her party and disband the ILP.
To a packed area in the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, owned by Warner, the master of ceremony Michael “Mikee K” Kerr said that 950 chairs were put out but the crowd still flowed outside the auditorium.
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Warner said many people asked him why he was going to the meeting. He said these were the same people who would criticise Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and the People’s National Movement (PNM) but remain on the fence and do nothing about it. He said the aim was to fight the PNM.
He said, “And why Kamla who everybody seem should be attacked morning, noon and night, and poor lady, you very strong.
“Why Kamla, I will tell you why? If you recall clearly, it was I who brought Mandela to this country.
“And you will know Mandela spent 27 years in prison. Was treated in the worst possible way. He saw his family once a year and got letters once a month.
“In the worst way was he treated but when he was released, he had no animosity against the de Klerk government.
“Because he said love and unity must heal my country.”
Warner added, “And tonight to have me here before you, I say Mrs Persad-Bissessar is the Nelson Mandela of local politics… she is… and that’s why I am here.
“I am here to join Mrs Persad-Bissessar and the entire team to bring this country back on an even keel.”
Referring to the UNC and PNM controlling seven corporations each after the previous local government elections, Warner said he does not want another tie. Making a cricket reference, he said he did not want a political super over which a tie called for.
“It has to be an outrght victory, no seven-seven,” he said.
Warner, the former vice president of FIFA who is facing extradition to the US on corruption charges, said the reason he was wearing a yellow shirt, the colour of the UNC, without its monogram was becasue he had to earn the right to do so, as the crowd applauded.
He said, “And I will tell you this… some people will leave a party at 8 am and be embraced by the prime minister at noon. I didn’t want that. There are others who will see a cheque for $500,000 and leave just so.”
Warner added, “No, I must come and work among my brothers and sisters in the UNC and the NTA and earn my dues,” he said touching the pocket of his shirt where the UNC logo should be.
“And when I do earn my dues, I will then convene an emergency meeting of the ILP and disband it.
“Because the ILP has to be formally integrated with the UNC – we are one family..,” he said to applause.
The former MP for Chaguanas West said, “We have one family and we have one focus and that is to fight the People’s National Movement.”
He said young citizens were leaving the country in droves, unemployment was high and crime has runaway.
He said to solve these problems, were people among them including the best commissioner of police the country had every seen – the National Transformation Alliance leader Gary Griffith; the best the prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar; and the best minister of works and transport and the best national security minister – himself.
He said with that threesome there was no course for fear.
And quoting one of the UNC’s campaign slogans, Warner said, “Don’t tote, vote.”
In her feature address, Persad-Bissessar said when she spoke to Warner, not once did he ask for anything in return.
She said, “Mr Warner and I only wish for better lives for you all.”
Persad-Bissessar said, “I am willing to work with anyone but the loyal and loving members of the UNC must always be treated with respect and love, they always come first. They are the true bosses of the party. Respect them.”
Is it a curse that only present UNC seems not keep it’s top brass together.
Since DLP split to form SDLP both or their voters left to form ULF, splint in 1971 the Raffique shah fraction left Bazdeo Pandy assume leadership join to form NAR in 1986 then broke away 1989 to form present day UNC. 1995 to 2002 lost prominent members. In 2005 split to form COP. 2009 KPB assume leadership form a coalition with the COP and MSJ. the re emgernce of Jack Warner and coalition of NTA leader was with then PP coalition has join forces.
would average electorate thrust the UNC knowing their recent track record.
To secure their self destruction in 2014 instead of bringing a full package for Constitution reform under Constitution Reform Comm
The Chair of the Comm resigned when the Cabal infunce the UNC side and the bigger partner to bring a ‘Run off Bill’.
They went from 29 lost two by-Elections remain with 27 lost Govt to form the Opposition with only 18.
In 2020 top MP’s were sidelined again.
Can the people trust the Opposition knowing their history of make up and break up.