Tobago love for Kamla

A huge roar rose from the large crowd when, during the speech by TOP candidate for Tobago East Vernella Alleyne Toppin, Persad-Bissessar and UNC chairman Jack Warner arrived. What followed for the next 15 minutes was pure joy and love as the crowd mobbed Persad-Bissessar who was hugged, kissed and loved by the gathering.

The roar doubled as former Tobago MP Pamela Nicholson, much loved and respected in the sister isle by Tobagonians on both sides of the political divide, who has been out of the political limelight for several years, embraced Kamla on stage. Many in the crowd shouted, “Sister pam loving mother Kamla!” Nicholson and Persad-Bissessar sat side by side on the head table.

Heartened by the love she received, Persad-Bissessar in her address said she felt the love from Tobago and from “sister Pam”.

“I had the privilege and honour to sit next to sister Pam in Parliament. And so tonight, I have come home to Tobago. I believe just as you do that side by side we stand. Side by side we must stand. Because Trinbago is our land.” Persad-Bissessar said that change was sweeping the nation because people were fed-up of the Patrick Manning regime and invited Tobago to “come on board, the ship of change”.

“Tobago has been treated with scorn by Patrick Manning. Look at crime and how it has increased in Tobago. Tobago, an island that is so beautiful but people are being warned not to come to Tobago because of crime.

“Manning has no interest in Tobago. Look at the Scarborough hospital, a hospital of shame. These fellas so bold faced and brass faced to tell you about the delivery date for this hospital being this year,” she said.

“PNM! Promises never materialised! And let us send a message to Orville London...London Bridge is falling down! Come May 24, the new bridge from Tobago to Trinidad will be the Tobago Organisation of the People.” The crowd cheered.

Earlier in the meeting, Toppin in her speech said: “If Tobago is to grow, the PNM must go!” The crowd cheered. “TOP people, who are you voting for?” Toppin asked. “TOP!” came the reply. “Tobago PNM, who you voting for?” she asked again. “TOP, TOP!” was the response.

TOP Tobago West candidate Dr Delmon Baker whipped the crowd into a frenzy with his speech. “Tonight the people of Tobago will roar! Enough is enough, is enough. Patrick Manning and the PNM must go!” he said as the crowd roared.

“We must rid this country of Patrick Manning-styled politics! Why are they afraid of a coalition. When they offer you money, take it. When they offer you jobs, take it. Is your money paid for it. But when May 24 comes, we have one thing to do, vote out the PNM and vote in the TOP!

UNC chairman Jack Warner said he had never expected such a large turnout at the meeting.

“My father, from Moriah, believed strongly in coalitions. Because he formed a coalition with a woman from Trinidad and produced me. You talk about coalition? That is coalition,” Warner said as the crowd cheered.

Warner said under the government of Patrick Manning, serious crime has risen in Tobago. He said Manning has not taken responsibility for crime, corruption, Calder Hart, Udecott but yet, “he talks about me, he talks about Kamla, about her clothes she wears.”