Williams would be proud of PNM today

THE PNM yesterday rejected a newspaper columnist’s “absurd conclusion” that party founder, Trinidad and Tobago’s first Prime Minister Dr Eric Williams, would be ashamed of the PNM today. In a statement, the PNM declared: “Contrary to the articles of erroneous assumptions, we are convinced that if he were alive today, the founder of the PNM would be very proud and most pleased with the success and vitality of the movement which he founded.”

The party said Dr Williams would have been proud to know that the PNM continues to adhere to its founding principles of interracial solidarity, equality of opportunity and treatment and commitment to democracy. “He would have been especially proud of the fact that the party was able to endure to periods in Opposition instead of crumbling as is the norm for political parties in TT. In fact, under its present leadership, the PNM used the period in Opposition to renew itself and return to government after those two stints (1986-1991, 1995-2001),” the PNM added. The party celebrated its 48th anniversary last Saturday. The PNM said the party has followed “the intellectual tradition set by the founder,” adding that this was evident in its policy documents “Perspectives for the 80s and Beyond” and “Vision 2020.” 

The PNM further noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Patrick Manning, the economic reform process started under the late PM George Chambers “moved apace and returned this country to economic growth after nine years of recession.” “The economy has been growing ever since with unprecedented investment flows, low inflation and employment generation. There has been transformation in the social sector as well as in the physical infrastructure. Dr Williams would have been proud of what the party he founded and loved so dearly continues to do for this nation,”  the PNM declared.