There must be no compromise on integrity, no allowance for arrogance, no room for violation of mutual respect; there will be no sacrifice of our values on the altar of political expediency.
I have the strength and courage and independence of mind to measure every tough decision on the basis of what is right and just…Regardless of the consequences, I remain resolved to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do…No one is exempt from the measure of value based leadership.
…I hold no brief for any man or woman save the greater public interest. I am always aware of the higher expectation upon which this Government was elected and the immense responsibility each of us has to uphold public trust in all we do every single day of our lives. It is not a responsibility we can choose to have one day and lose the next.
I am reminded of Gandhi’s identification of one of the seven social sins as being “politics without principles”. I have insisted from the moment we took office that each one of us must display a sound character of public integrity, fairness, humility, compassion and human dignity.
Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Former Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago
