Panday urges British pressure for TT

OPPOSITION LEADER Basdeo Panday called on Trinidad and Tobago nationals resident in Britain to form political pressure groups to lobby British parliamentarians to “influence the Government of TT.” Addressing a meeting of the UNC United Kingdom Support Group at Jury’s Kensington Hotel in London on Sunday, Panday said only by forming such groups and pressuring British MPs to act, could nationals hope to influence the Government’s policy.

The UNC leader highlighted “the record number of kidnappings and murders” since the PNM returned to office in 2001 and claimed there was “a growing incidence of extortion relating to kidnapping and the link between crime and the CEPEP and URP programmes.” Panday slammed the alleged relationship between the PNM and the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen. The UNC leader reiterated Opposition support for the Caribbean Court of Justice and other constitutional amendment bills once Government undertakes fundamental constitutional reform.

Panday claimed “corruption has been the order of the day under the PNM” and criticised the Government for “increased spending and removal of tendering procedures.” Panday also reiterated that he would exit electoral politics at age 70 and revealed that he has since instructed the UNC “to find a new leader.” However Panday gave the assurance that he “will not abandon the party in midstream.” The UNC is scheduled to hold internal executive elections in July.