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Correcting Express’s Misreporting: Kamla was present and voted, Rowley was absent
Posted On 28 Jan 2021
The United National Congress would like to set the record straight, contrary to reports in the Trinidad Express of 28 January 2021.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, was most certainly present and voted in favor of the motion of no confidence in Minister Stuart Young, as evidenced by the video recording.
We expect a retraction and apology from the Trinidad Express on this matter of record shortly.
We also take this opportunity to correct the misunderstanding of the reporter as to what transpired during the Leader of Opposition’s necessary and effective Motion of No-Confidence.
It is important for the country to be aware that the Government hijacked the debate, calling for a premature end, while the Opposition still had speakers to come and while cracks on the Government side were being exposed.
This was obviously done by Keith Rowley and the PNM in order to run from the debate.
Due to a rotation process because of the COVID-19 restrictions, the Leader of Opposition was in the designated conference room preparing her wind-up response when Terrence Deyalsingh introduced the Government’s underhanded motion.
Instead of moving a procedural motion to extend the sitting beyond 8:00 p.m., as the Member for Caroni East and others were waiting to speak, the Government deceitfully moved to have the “Question Put” or debate concluded.
The Government was obviously desperate to avoid the further exposure by the Opposition Leader in her wind up, given her powerful opening.
To be clear, the Motion of No Confidence was a success for the people of our country. The Opposition uncovered in our Parliament, for on official record, how the Minister of National Security has tragically failed our citizens, and continues to do so.
Stuart Young was indeed defeated. His defeat was not by the votes in the House, but by the fact that no Government Member of Parliament was able to list a single accomplishment, that even the hierarchy in the PNM revealed their dissatisfaction with Minister Young’s policies, and, most importantly, that his own Leader, the Prime Minister, was absent and did not vote for him.
Dr. Kirk Meighoo
Public Relations Officer
