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Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar began her term in office with a message of love and optimism today, as she took the oath of office alongside new attorney general John Jeremie at President’s House in Port of Spain.
The rest of the Cabinet should be sworn in on Saturday.
Photo: Sunil Lalla.
Persad-Bissessar, who was Trinidad and Tobago’s sixth prime minister when first elected, returns to office after a 10-year gap since she steered a People’s Partnership government for a solitary term. Jeremie, the former attorney general between 2003-07 and 2009-10 under then prime minister and PNM political leader Patrick Manning, also had a controversial time on the frontline and is not short of political baggage.
Persad-Bissessar suggested her ability to rebound from her time in the political wilderness made her more empathetic to the issues of the common folk of the two-island republic.
“For the last 10 years I was a woman scorned—a pariah to many, because in their eyes I had nothing to give,” she said. “[…] I know what it feels to be forgotten, I know how it feels to be humiliated and written off. I know how it feels to be kicked and stomped on when you are down.”
Photo: Sunil Lalla.
On Monday, Persad-Bissessar’s United National Congress (UNC) secured 26 from an available 41 seats in the General Elections, with the PNM taking 13 and the Tobago’s People Party picking up two. However, there was a low voter turnout.
The freshly minted prime minister wasted no time in courting Trinidad and Tobago’s “forgotten people”, even as she stressed on equal treatment for all citizens, regardless of party affiliations.
“Beyond the lighthouse in Port of Spain there is a country with real people—real people with real feelings, dreams and ambitions,” she said. “They are all people too. This is their country too. That is why I dedicate my term as prime minister to the forgotten people of our country.
Photo: Chevaughn Christopher/ CA-images/ Wired868.
“If you’re living on the fringes of Guanapo, if you are living in the coconut estates of Icacos, if you are in Kernahan Village, if you are in Nariva swamp, on the coastlines of Charlotteville or the lagoons of Barrackpore, I see you—we see you, every single one.
“If you are UNC, if you are TPP, PNM, PEP or any other affiliation, I see you. You will be treated equally and fairly. I made a promise that everybody will win and I plan to fulfil that promise.”
Persad-Bissessar made several references to the previous government, as she suggested that the outgoing PNM government was uncaring and high-handed in its approach.
However, her sternest words were for her own future government colleagues.
Photo: Sunil Lalla.
“I say this to my incoming government members, if you treat the citizens with callousness, contempt and corrupt ways, I guarantee you your retribution will be swift and brutal,” said Persad-Bissessar. “Never, ever mistake my physical appearance or my kindness for weakness.
“I think you all know there is nothing more dangerous than a mother who thinks her children are in danger. Everyone would be wise to remember that for the next five years.”
Persad-Bissessar promised to give an outline of her government’s short-term plans by next week and said Trinidad and Tobago citizens will not have long to wait for improvements in their quality of life.
Photo: Ministry of National Security.
“Six months from today, under a new UNC government, you will be in a safer, happier place in T&T,” she said. “You will see what happens when a government cares. We will work to make you and your lives better—that is our promise to you. We have done it before and with your help we will do it again.
“[…] It’s time we set T&T on the right pathway where we cease to govern to simply win the next election, and instead govern to create wealth and opportunities for seven generations into the future.”
As typical of such occasions, the Prime Minister was light on detail. But her tone was deliberate and consistent throughout.
Photo: Sunil Lalla.
Sworn in on the Trinidad and Tobago Constitution and not the Bhagavad Gita, as in 2010, Persad-Bissessar quoted from the Holy Bible, 1 Peter 3:8-12:
‘Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil, or insult with insult.’
And then she cited Bob Marley: Everything is going to be alright.
“You have had prime ministers before me, you will have prime ministers after me,” she said. “But you will never ever have a prime minister who loves you as much as I do.”
So starts the second coming of Persad-Bissessar.
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