‘What the UNC is doing is not leadership. It is political plagiarism disguised as policy’- Lt Cdr Normal Dindial
By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE National Transformation Alliance (NTA) is claiming that the United National Congress (UNC) is copying its national security policies.
This was stated in a media release on Tuesday issued by NTA Deputy Political Leader and Chaguanas East Candidate Lt Cdr Norman Dindial.
“What the UNC is doing is not leadership. It is political plagiarism disguised as policy,” he stated.
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Dindial said citizens at large acknowledged that the People’s National Movement (PNM) failed in matters of national security and were now looking to either the UNC or the NTA for the assurance of safety and security.
He said, “This understanding is crucial because, over the past week, the UNC has intensified its campaign rhetoric on national security, clearly attempting to sway members of the protective services and their families.
“However, it has become embarrassingly apparent that every policy proposal they’ve presented is a direct copy of research, drafts, and initiatives developed by NTA Political Leader Gary Griffith—some of which were implemented during his tenure as Minister of National Security and National Security Advisor.”
Dindial said his claim was not just “political banter” but backed by emails, policy documents and official correspondence.
According to Dindial, these include:
1) The proposal to split the Ministry of National Security into a Ministry of Defence and a Ministry of Home Affairs.
2) The creation of a Ministry of Justice.
3) The $1,000 monthly support for Protective Services families.
4) The $1 million compensation for families of officers killed in the line of duty.
5) Even the proposal to provide firearms to citizens stems from Griffith’s success as police commissioner when he approved over 5,000 Firearm User’s Licences (FULs) for law-abiding citizens.
He asked both the UNC and the PNM that if certain policies were not delivered while the parties were in government, why should the electorate believe that they would be implemented now.
Dindial emphasised that the NTA led by Griffith, an individual with a plethora of experience in national security behind him would be the best person to bring Trinidad and Tobago back to a level of safety and security.
He said, “The reality is simple: without understanding the complexity of policy design within the security framework, effective implementation is impossible. This is precisely the case with both the UNC and PNM, having Ministers of National Security and potential candidates waiting with no competency in the field.”
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Dindial continued, “Although there’s merit in drawing inspiration from Gary Griffith, implementation requires comprehension. Gary Griffith and his team have a proven track record. They possess the evidence, reports, research, and results. The proposals are not theoretical; they have been implemented and proven effective. Without strong and competent leadership, these plans are mere recycled soundbites aimed at securing votes.”
He challenged other political parties to list their national security teams if any, boasting that the NTA has a team of National Security experts that no other political party can come close to matching.”
