PNM: No repression under us

PNM deputy chairman, John Donaldson, assured the party had nothing repressive in its history and would not now employ repression to deal with problems facing the country. He was addressing the PNM 38th Annual Convention at Chaguaramas Convention Centre on Sunday.

Donaldson declared, “The PNM in Government has never let itself be provoked into repressive responses whether such responses are social, political or military.” He said that under the PNM: “It is in independent courts not firing squads that all insurrectionists have met their just due.” Donaldson assured “the difficulties we (ie the country) are experiencing today will be overcome within the bounds of responsible, sensitive and civilised solutions.” As more proof of the PNM’s democratic credentials, Donaldson said that when the PNM had won every seat in the House of Representatives in 1971, it had effected constitutional reforms which considerably removed power from the Prime Minister and the Government.  The PNM, he said, had deepened and strengthened our democratic institutions.

In its 36 years in Government through good times and difficult times, he said, the PNM had established a record of respect for the rights of all citizens and unwavering respect for the country’s laws. The PNM Annual Convention itself, he said, was an example of the orderly manner to transact politics. Donaldson praised the party faithful for their loyalty when the PNM was in Opposition. He said: “The resilience and integrity of this great institution were tested to the core. The loyalty and commitment of members and supporters surpassed the expectations of the most faithful adherents. We have withstood the weapons of political destruction. We are now poised to lead Trinidad and Tobago to developed nation status in less than two decades.”