(Trinidad Express) United National Congress chairman Jack Warner said yesterday that he will be defending the party’s chairmanship at the March 24 internal elections.
Warner informed Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar via letter of his decision to contest the UNC chairmanship.
Warner stated that the decision was not an easy one, but upon reflection, “I have realised that my commitment to service has not diminished, my drive to ensure that the United National Congress remains the preferred option of Government for all nationals has not died and my promise to provide a society of which our posterity will be proud is still to be fulfilled.”
Warner, who was elected UNC chairman at the party’s 2010 internal elections, pointed out that he was part of the team that worked to see the fall of the PNM and he made a personal vow to never allow that party to regain power.
“To do so requires a leadership that is audacious, fearless and strong and I am convinced that I can offer such quality to whichever team is elected by the members of the United National Congress,” said Warner.
He made it clear that he will not be putting up any slate but will be defending his position independently.
“The UNC needs a chairman who will not divide the party, who will hold the party together and keep it focused on the goal of laying a foundation of strength for the sustainable development of this country,” stated Warner.
The party, he said, needs a chairman who “in spite of the turbulence of the waters will hold the ship together and guide it safely into harbour securing the health and reputation of all its crew and members,”.
Warner stressed that his loyalty to the Prime Minister and the UNC cannot be challenged.
As he assured his commitment to her leadership, Warner added that his availability to party activists and their many requests to him is evidence why he needs to contest.
“As such, I can do none other but to declare that Jack Warner will be contesting the March 24, 2012 Internal Elections of the United National Congress for the post of chairman of the UNC,” Warner said.
And speaking to reporters outside of Parliament yesterday before the no-confidence debate Warner again explained his reasons for deciding to contest.
“It was a strategic decision. I believe that there are things I set out to do in 2010 that I have not fulfilled as yet and that is why I feel I have to run again,”Warner said. Asked if he believes the campaign for the party’s internal elections will turn nasty, Warner said he does not think so.
“We have learnt from our mistakes of the past. That is in the past. This time it (the campaign) will be more mature and more sophisticated. I really don’t think it will have the same level of animosity as we had in the past. In fact I can tell you one thing, I will not be involved in that.”
