Susan Charles who has resigned from the United National Congress’ (UNC’s) San Juan Barataria executive, has called for members to “take back the party” in order for it to become a vehicle that can assume the reins of Government and deliver to people.
Charles did so via release yesterday, knocking the leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Charles said she was a UNC member for 31 years. Her statement was the latest from some UNC members seeking to pressure the leadership to step down. Persad-Bissessar has said she will not do so and has challenged detractors to fight her for the leadership in internal polls.
Charles, however, noted how the UNC was formed by Basdeo Panday and associates. She added, “It was the faith, courage, determination, commitment and hard work of these people that caused that small group of determined spirits to ascend to the corridors of power in 1995 and deliver on promises to the people.”
“Today, once again we’re on the edge of the precipice where we require another group of persons with a determined spirit to come together and be inspired by an unquenchable faith in saving our nation.”
“I was one of the most loyal supporters of Mrs Persad-Bissessar…I considered her like a ‘guru.’ My loyalty was unquestionable but my loyalty to my party must always come first. In my 31 years as a UNC member, I learnt no individual is greater than the institution. The day we allow that, the institution is no more.”
Charles noted that over the People’s Partnership’s term up to the 2015 general elections, that entity lost 11 of its 29 seats.
“Not a single attempt was made by those responsible to understand why the population lost confidence in our party.”
“Between 2015 and 2020 people experienced the most difficult times under the Rowley administration. The circumstances were ripe for change... we stood behind our party and our leader. We gave her our support a second time. But when candidates were chosen the intention was not to choose the best qualified but to preserve the position of the leader in case we experienced defeat.”
Charles added, “Today, I must decide whether to sit back and continue seeing my party lose all that it’s stood for and built during the past 31 years or join a group of determined spirits fired. Those who know (me) know I’m not one to sit back and follow blindly.”
“The time has come. We must each stand up to those who’ve been given a fair chance and have failed us not twice. The time has come when we must accept that when those responsible for the demise of our party don’t wish to take responsibility for their actions, they don’t deserve to hold positions of leadership any longer. We must take back our party to give our country a chance and to give us a chance to make good on the promise we made to our country when the UNC was formed.
“The party’s motto is ‘We are the Future.’ I ask you to ask yourself, “do those in charge of our party today represent your future, the future of your children and our country?” If not the decision is clear!”