A two-million-dollar first prize for at least four major cultural events should the leader of the People's Partnership Kamla Persad-Bissessar be elected Prime Minister following tomorrow's general election. Persad-Bissessar made the pledge in an historic address at yesterday's Unity and Liberation Rally of the Coalition of parties, including the United National Congress, the Congress of the People and the Tobago Organisation of the People. Persad-Bissessar was greeted to a special welcome on her arrival by the mammoth crowd. Shortly after former Calypso Monarch Denyse Plummer performed her rendition of Woman is Boss, Persad-Bissessar took the stage, wearing trademark yellow top and skirt, waving to the crowd. In her address, she said her Government if elected would immediately abolish the Property Tax. Persad-Bissessar said the People's Partnership remains committed to a five per cent reduction in the salaries of Cabinet ministers and a ten per cent cut in the salary of the Prime Minister.
Other promises included:
1. Money saved will go to a Life Fund for sick children requiring expensive medical attention.
2. No reduction in the salaries of public servants.
3. Proposed Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority, to replace the Board of Inland revenue and the Customs and Excise Division, will not be pursued.
4. The jobs of more than 2,000 employees would be spared as a result. "Not a job will be lost."
5. To deal immediately with the number one problem in the country–crime. A People's Partnership Government under her leadership, she said, would mean safer streets and homes in T&T.
"Economic prosperity without security is pointless," she stressed. She said a highway to Mayaro "is no use if you will be robbed and raped in your beach house. "We pledge to attack the problem of crime at the root and solve the crime problem. We cannot develop a secure future unless law and order, security of person and property are addressed in a context in which all citizens can feel that justice can and will be done." Former High Court judge Herbert Volney also reiterate that crime must be dealt with. "We have to take our country back. We must put criminals behind bars to enjoy our country again," he added. "We shall not be easy on crime. We will return our country to law and order." TOP leader Ashworth Jack said the cries of the people have been heard. He insists he has not sold out the people of Tobago. He explains he had joined the UNC-led coalition of parties because that party had supported the people of Tobago in having the Tobago House of Assembly established.
Coat of arms for Head of State only
She promised that the Red House will remain the seat of Parliament in T&T and the Coat of Arms will be used only by the Head of State and not the Head of Government. The Siparia MP is confident of victory on Monday saying it will mark the dawn of a new day and a new way for T&T as she seeks to be the first female to become Prime Minister of T&T.