Carson calls for people to take back the country

The NAR swept the General Elections in 1986 winning 33 out of 36 seats putting an end to the 30 years of unbroken PNM governance. The NAR comprised several opposition parties including ONR, Tapia House, ULF and DAC.

Speaking after the NAR media briefing at Victoria Square south, Charles said he spoke to head of the DPTT, Steve Alvarez last week and head of MND Garvin Nicholas the week before.

Charles said they “explored the political situation and everyone is seeking a way to address problems in the country.” Asked if they had common ground, he said, “there are a lot of things we have in common — the community approach to things. We found that we were saying the same things in that area at least.”

Asked about an alliance, Charles said there was room for common approaches but did not comment further.

During the media briefing he called for people to take control of the country and to take back government. He said the NAR was ready for whatever role it must play. He said, “Things are worse now than then when the NAR came into being.” Charles called for the DPTT, MND, new parties and even supporters of the United National Congress and People’s National Movement who are seeking the national interest to unite and “make some sense of things again.”

He called for religious heads to take control of their flock and do their duty in helping followers find their way. “All leaders have a duty to do this, give a sense of direction to the nation.”

He said Prime Minister Patrick Manning was a leader who had time to spend focusing on his coat of arms, and taking over lands to expand the PM’s residence.

Charles said it was more important for the Government to go on an expensive retreat than listen to the people. “The most important thing bothering us today is that the Government is not displaying interest in the welfare of the people.”

He said the Government was not in big business but it was “leaping to defend Alcoa” before the Environmental Management Authority EMA had time to do its work. There has been vociferous opposition by residents to the construction of an aluminium smelter in Cap-de-Ville. An application for a certificate of environmental clearance is before the EMA.

Charles said the importation of British cops will further demoralise local police officers.

He reminded that the Government had said the Police Reform Bills would help with crime but now that the Bills have been passed it was saying they would help “in the future.”

Charles said the Government should bring back Chin Lee because as National Security Minister he seemed to be trying and was always talking about a plan. He said current Minister Martin Joseph said the Government was there to make sure the Police did their job.