*** The 2025 GENERAL ELECTION thread***

[Dizzy28]

ATTORNEY General Camille Robinson-Regis is asking for $4 million to be paid to her by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar as compensation for defamation arising out of statements made by her (Persad-Bissessar) at a UNC Cottage Meeting on March 17.

The request was made in a pre-action protocol letter dated March 28, sent to Persad-Bissessar by attorney Anthony Manwah which initiated defamation proceedings for alleged slander committed by the Opposition Leader against Robinson-Regis.
Persad-Bissessar’s statements related to Robinson-Regis’ lack of a practising certificate from the Law Association, to the controversy involving a bank deposit of $143,000 years ago and to the use of a credit card. The pre-action protocol letter said that, at the time of writing the letter, the YouTube video which published Persad-Bissessar’s words had been viewed approximately 31,000 times and was shared and redistributed widely to the public at large.
The letter noted that Persad-Bissessar questioned the legitimacy of Robinson-Regis’s appointment as Attorney General.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Manwah said Persad-Bissessar’s words in their natural and ordinary meaning were “undeniably defamatory” to Robinson-Regis, were “falsely and maliciously published and were calculated to damage and defame” her in her personal capacity and as Attorney General and as a candidate in the upcoming general election.

https://trinidadexpress.com/news/local/ ... NZ5pxzugew

To be libel is to be untrue
But didn't she not have a practicing certificated a the time she was appointed?
Also the whole credit card issue was well ventilated when it first came out
And IIRC the money in FCB wasn't resolved in so much as the investigation ended due to her closing her FCB account.

Anyhows it should be a good case if she pursues it as all those incidents would need to be ventilated in more details.

[hover11]

Three economists warn of 10%

It would be eventful to see if PNM wins what the modus operandi of unions will then be. Will it be total resistance or simple batting in their crease

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[alfa]

Three economists warn of 10%

It would be eventful to see if PNM wins what the modus operandi of unions will then be. Will it be total resistance or simple batting in their crease

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using TriniTuner mobile app

Their response to the closure of petrotrin circa 2018 should be an indicator of future modus operandi

[hover11]

Election Gimmick.....money pelting out left , right and centre. First it was the baptists who got 10 million and now the divers family....nice to see PNM capitalizing on such an unfortunate incident purely for votes.

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[VexXx Dogg]

Actual statement by Gary wrt UNC's plagiarism

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CepMSbQqH/?mibextid=xfxF2i
National Transformation Alliance Media Release
1st April, 2025

UNC Exposes Its Lack of Vision by Copying National Security Policies from NTA Political Leader Gary Griffith

It is widely acknowledged that the PNM has failed in matters of National Security. Consequently, many citizens believe the choice for ensuring their safety and security lies between the NTA and the UNC.

This understanding is crucial because, over the past week, the United National Congress (UNC) has intensified its campaign rhetoric on national security, clearly attempting to sway members of the Protective Services and their families.

However, it has become embarrassingly apparent that every policy proposal they've presented is a direct copy of research, drafts, and initiatives developed by NTA Political Leader, Gary Griffith—some of which were implemented during his tenure as Minister of National Security and National Security Advisor.

This isn't mere political banter; we possess the emails, policy documents, and official correspondence to substantiate this claim.

These include:
1) The proposal to split the Ministry of National Security into a Ministry of Defence and a Ministry of Home Affairs.
2) The creation of a Ministry of Justice.
3) The $1,000 monthly support for Protective Services families.
4) The $1 million compensation for families of officers killed in the line of duty.
5) Even the proposal to provide firearms to citizens stems from Griffith’s success as Commissioner when he approved over 5,000 Firearm User’s Licences (FULs) for law-abiding citizens.

Unlike the UNC proposal, which suggests legal firearms will be distributed indiscriminately to the general public, Griffith’s FULs were awarded after a rigorous process. From the 25,000 applications he encountered as Commissioner of Police, only 20% met the required standards. This rigorous testing ensured not a single legal firearm issued was used in a crime.

National security transcends mere politics. It isn't about platform slogans. It's a science, a matter of security management. It demands individuals with technical expertise, real-world experience, professional training, and high-level strategic capability to formulate and implement effective policies.

The critical question for both the PNM and UNC towards their commitment to citizens safety is: If these policies weren't delivered during your tenure in government, why should we, the people, believe that you will implement them now?

Beyond political will, competency is essential. The Ministry of Justice collapsed—not because the concept was flawed, but because those responsible for its execution lacked the necessary understanding.

This is the peril we face again—the UNC is promoting policies they did not originate, do not comprehend, and are unqualified to manage. They lack individuals within their ranks with the required training, experience, or senior-level security background to lead such transformation.

The reality is simple: without understanding the complexity of policy design within the security framework, effective implementation is impossible. This is precisely the case with both the UNC and PNM, having Ministers of National Security and potential candidates waiting with no competency in the field.

Although there's merit in drawing inspiration from Gary Griffith, implementation requires comprehension.

Gary Griffith and his team have a proven track record. They possess the evidence, reports, research, and results. The proposals are not theoretical; they have been implemented and proven effective. Without strong and competent leadership, these plans are mere recycled soundbites aimed at securing votes.

Captain Griffith competently adopted sound approaches which he employed in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), which resulted in record reductions in crime and the transformation of the service. He has assembled a team of National Security experts within the NTA that no other political party can come close to matching. We challenge other parties to list their teams and allow the public to compare.

What the UNC is doing is not leadership. It is political plagiarism disguised as policy. The citizens of Trinidad and Tobago must not be deceived into replacing one form of incompetence with another.

In Defence of Our Nation.
Lt Cdr Norman Dindial
NTA Deputy Political Leader and Chaguanas East Candidate
Email: ntaistheway@gmail.com WhatsApp: 482-GARY(4279) / 483-GARY(4279)

The work one does in the employ of someone else usually belongs to the employer.
If GG developed policies as Min of Nat Sec, Advisor or COP those actually should belong to the people and not him.

Blurred IP line there, so it would depend on the policies of the organization and terms of employment contract.

That’s a sticky issue on my end as well and there is no straightforward answer

[Dizzy28]

Actual statement by Gary wrt UNC's plagiarism

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CepMSbQqH/?mibextid=xfxF2i
National Transformation Alliance Media Release
1st April, 2025

UNC Exposes Its Lack of Vision by Copying National Security Policies from NTA Political Leader Gary Griffith

It is widely acknowledged that the PNM has failed in matters of National Security. Consequently, many citizens believe the choice for ensuring their safety and security lies between the NTA and the UNC.

This understanding is crucial because, over the past week, the United National Congress (UNC) has intensified its campaign rhetoric on national security, clearly attempting to sway members of the Protective Services and their families.

However, it has become embarrassingly apparent that every policy proposal they've presented is a direct copy of research, drafts, and initiatives developed by NTA Political Leader, Gary Griffith—some of which were implemented during his tenure as Minister of National Security and National Security Advisor.

This isn't mere political banter; we possess the emails, policy documents, and official correspondence to substantiate this claim.

These include:
1) The proposal to split the Ministry of National Security into a Ministry of Defence and a Ministry of Home Affairs.
2) The creation of a Ministry of Justice.
3) The $1,000 monthly support for Protective Services families.
4) The $1 million compensation for families of officers killed in the line of duty.
5) Even the proposal to provide firearms to citizens stems from Griffith’s success as Commissioner when he approved over 5,000 Firearm User’s Licences (FULs) for law-abiding citizens.

Unlike the UNC proposal, which suggests legal firearms will be distributed indiscriminately to the general public, Griffith’s FULs were awarded after a rigorous process. From the 25,000 applications he encountered as Commissioner of Police, only 20% met the required standards. This rigorous testing ensured not a single legal firearm issued was used in a crime.

National security transcends mere politics. It isn't about platform slogans. It's a science, a matter of security management. It demands individuals with technical expertise, real-world experience, professional training, and high-level strategic capability to formulate and implement effective policies.

The critical question for both the PNM and UNC towards their commitment to citizens safety is: If these policies weren't delivered during your tenure in government, why should we, the people, believe that you will implement them now?

Beyond political will, competency is essential. The Ministry of Justice collapsed—not because the concept was flawed, but because those responsible for its execution lacked the necessary understanding.

This is the peril we face again—the UNC is promoting policies they did not originate, do not comprehend, and are unqualified to manage. They lack individuals within their ranks with the required training, experience, or senior-level security background to lead such transformation.

The reality is simple: without understanding the complexity of policy design within the security framework, effective implementation is impossible. This is precisely the case with both the UNC and PNM, having Ministers of National Security and potential candidates waiting with no competency in the field.

Although there's merit in drawing inspiration from Gary Griffith, implementation requires comprehension.

Gary Griffith and his team have a proven track record. They possess the evidence, reports, research, and results. The proposals are not theoretical; they have been implemented and proven effective. Without strong and competent leadership, these plans are mere recycled soundbites aimed at securing votes.

Captain Griffith competently adopted sound approaches which he employed in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), which resulted in record reductions in crime and the transformation of the service. He has assembled a team of National Security experts within the NTA that no other political party can come close to matching. We challenge other parties to list their teams and allow the public to compare.

What the UNC is doing is not leadership. It is political plagiarism disguised as policy. The citizens of Trinidad and Tobago must not be deceived into replacing one form of incompetence with another.

In Defence of Our Nation.
Lt Cdr Norman Dindial
NTA Deputy Political Leader and Chaguanas East Candidate
Email: ntaistheway@gmail.com WhatsApp: 482-GARY(4279) / 483-GARY(4279)

The work one does in the employ of someone else usually belongs to the employer.
If GG developed policies as Min of Nat Sec, Advisor or COP those actually should belong to the people and not him.

Blurred IP line there, so it would depend on the policies of the organization and terms of employment contract.

That’s a sticky issue on my end as well and there is no straightforward answer

All my employment contracts specifically state what belongs to the company in the Non Compete, Confidentiality and Integrity sections required for ratification.
Basically come up with good ideas after 5pm and make sure its not related to the field you currently work in

[pugboy]

since money sharing,
how much money home invasion victims getting?

[hover11]

Stuart Young’s announcement that all retired public servants’ pensions will now be tax-free comes at a very interesting time, right after Dr. Rowley steps down as Prime Minister but remains head of the PNM.He didn’t officially retire from public office yet, but once this law passes, don’t be surprised if he quietly steps down for good with a fully tax-free pension. It raises real questions about who these policies are really meant to serve.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using TriniTuner mobile app

[Redress10]

Stuart Young’s announcement that all retired public servants’ pensions will now be tax-free comes at a very interesting time, right after Dr. Rowley steps down as Prime Minister but remains head of the PNM.He didn’t officially retire from public office yet, but once this law passes, don’t be surprised if he quietly steps down for good with a fully tax-free pension. It raises real questions about who these policies are really meant to serve.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using TriniTuner mobile app

Being the head of PNM is not a public office.

[The_Honourable]

Congress of the People has officially joined the UNC's Coalition of Interests (PEP, OWTU, PSA & LOVE).

COP will be contesting St Ann’s East and Port of Spain South.

https://newsday.co.tt/2025/04/03/cop-jo ... interests/

[Redress10]

Congress of the People has officially joined the UNC's Coalition of Interests (PEP, OWTU, PSA & LOVE).

COP will be contesting St Ann’s East and Port of Spain South.

https://newsday.co.tt/2025/04/03/cop-jo ... interests/

So what seat Prakash going for?

The political leader not contesting a seat?

[paid_influencer]

Congress of the People has officially joined the UNC's Coalition of Interests (PEP, OWTU, PSA & LOVE).

COP will be contesting St Ann’s East and Port of Spain South.

https://newsday.co.tt/2025/04/03/cop-jo ... interests/

So what seat Prakash going for?

The political leader not contesting a seat?

correct, rowley sitting it out this cycle

in the event the pnm loses, it going to be an open question who will be opposition leader

[mero]

Think we should be concerned with who is gonna be the PM. A coup is brewing, KPB hadda watch she self iiiiiiiffff they somehow win

[pugboy]

ah boi the ol corpse resurrected

[paid_influencer]

size of the rally on harris promenade was surprising tbh. the campaign had some tricks like extra big flags up front, condensed camera angles, narrow venue, etc, but they actually didn't need it.

i was going to post the pic but it telling me board attachment quota reached

mikela better take a good look and plan her own rally to demonstrate her support, so ppl take her seriously

[paid_influencer]

Kamla town hall on crime

[death365]

It's sooooooooo easy to hate UNC sometimes eh ...

Calling for elections over a year now- when d date out. The scrambling to announce/get candidates.

[paid_influencer]

It's sooooooooo easy to hate UNC sometimes eh ...

Calling for elections over a year now- when d date out. The scrambling to announce/get candidates.

nah. why announce early? spreading it out builds excitement and momentum closer to election day.

pnm announce early and it already stale. no excitement

[mero]

Ayyy where Kamla find dem rent a goons from?

I know dem eh listening to one mc she saying.

[paid_influencer]

Kamla town hall on crime

kamla announce she would remove blue light escorts for politicians.

say somebidy get $1 million dollars a year in pension for 1 day worked. you have to work to age 65, but them get $1m pension after 1 day.

[shake d livin wake d dead]

What allyuh think of this UNC strategy of holding back their full slate of candidates till the 11th hour? They still have not named like 14 candidates and nomination day is tomorrow.

I guess in UNC safe seats it may not matter and in PNM safe seats it may not matter either, I think they have named their candidates in the marginals

St Joseph
Moruga/Tableland
Toco/ Sangre Grande

What other marginals missing maybe Chaguanas West?

I still feel like the swing voter would want to at least know who the candidate is even if mentally they don’t want to vote for the incumbent, the UNC has been calling for the elections for months

Toco grande is not a marginal...

Hearing the unc might put someone by the name of shivana Sam for cumuto/Manzan.

[paid_influencer]

will stuartie young have an anti-crime town hall to discuss his plans

what are his plans on crime

i listened the whole speech on harris promenade, and it was a good speech, I respect him more now, but there were no crime plans discussed at all

literally not a single word on the pnm plans to reduce crime

[Redress10]

Kamla slate eh looking too bad. Still not seeing any succession plan though. Would love for it to be Moonilal but he doesn't seem to have much national appeal so I'm guessing it's probably going to be Vandana in the long term as the safest choice. Honestly thought that UNC could have built a future with Paray post Kamla.

She's 72 now and would be 77 in 5 years time. Life expectancy for a woman in Trinidad is 74 years etc. Not sure what ailments she live with daily etc.

Look like she build a slate to maintain her control of the UNC and opposition leader if she loses.

[Redress10]

Kamla town hall on crime

kamla announce she would remove blue light escorts for politicians.

say somebidy get $1 million dollars a year in pension for 1 day worked. you have to work to age 65, but them get $1m pension after 1 day.

But ent she does get 2 pensions as former PM and opposition leader?

[The_Honourable]

Looks like the fix is in for UNC Tabaquite... Sean Sobers went up for nomination

Confirmed now, Anita Haynes out. Sean Sobers is the candidate for Tabaquite.



UNC fills slate – Jearlean John picked for Couva North, David Lee up for Caroni Central

THE UNC has completed its 39-candidate slate to contest the upcoming general election just hours before the prospectives file their nominations.

The new candidates were announced by the party's political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar at a crime townhall meeting at Centre Pointe Mall, Chaguanas on April 3.

The new candidates announced were Nigel Moses for Arima, Shivanna Sam for Cumuto/Manzanilla, Dr Colin Neil Gosine for Chaguanas West, Jearlean John for Couva North, Keiron Thomas for Diego Martin Central, Rodney Stowe for Laventille West, Dominic Alexander Smith for Mausica/Malabar, Kirt Sinnette (COP) for Port of Spain South, Gerard Small (COP) for St Ann's East and Sean Sobers for Tabaquite.

There were some returning faces to the lineup, however, the switches continued. Former Oropouche West MP Dave Tancoo would now contest Fyzabad. The former Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe would now contest Oropouche West.

While the former Pointe a Pierre (now called the constituency of Claxton Bay) MP David Lee was replaced by Hansen Narinesingh, Lee would now contest the Caroni Central seat, held previously by UNC's Arnold Ram.

Over the weekend former Princes Town MP Barry Padarath was selected to contest the Couva South constituency while Dr Aiyna Ali would contest Padarath's former seat.

Persad-Bissessar said she would return to fight for her Siparia constituency.

The full list of candidates under the coalition between UNC/PEP/COP/LOVE/OWTU:

Aranguez/st Joseph – Devesh Maharaj

Arima – ­Nigel Moses

Arouca/lopinot – Dr Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj

Barataria/San Juan – Saddam Hosein

Caroni Central – David Lee

Caroni East – Dr Rishi Seecharan

Chaguanas East – Vandana Mohit

Chaguanas West – Dr Colin Neil Gosine

Claxton Bay – Hansen Narinesingh

Couva North – Jearlean John

Couva South – Barry Padarath

Cumuto/Manzanilla – Shivanna Sam

Diego Martin Central – Keiron Thomas

Diego Martin North/East – Brendon Butts (PEP)

Diego Martin West – Janice Learmond-Criqui (PEP)

Fyzabad – Dave Tancoo

La Brea – Clyde Elder (OWTU)

La Horquetta/Talparo – Phillip Watts

Laventille East/Morvant – Robert Mitchell (LOVE Movement)

Laventille West – Rodney Stowe

Malabar/Mausica – Dominic Alexander Smith

Mayaro – Nicholas Morris

Moruga/Tableland – Michelle Benjamin

Naparima – Dr Narindra Roopnarine

Oropouche East – Roodal Moonilal

Oropouche West – Dr Lackram Bodoe

Point Fortin – Ernesto Kesar (OWTU)

Port of Spain North/St Ann's West – Phillip Edward Alexander (PEP)

Port of Spain South – Kirt Sinnette (COP)

Princes Town – Dr Aiyna Ali

San Fernando East – John Michael Alibocus

San Fernando West – Michael Dowlath

Siparia – Kamla Persad-Bissessar

St Ann's East – Gerard Small (COP)

St Augustine – Khadija Ameen

Tabaquite – Sean Sobers

Toco/Sangre Grande – Wayne Sturge

Trincity/Maloney – Richard Smith

Tunapuna – Roger Alexander

https://newsday.co.tt/2025/04/03/unc-fi ... i-central/

[paid_influencer]

allyuh feel Mikela have to balls to go against Jearlean John ?

[paid_influencer]

Kamla slate eh looking too bad. Still not seeing any succession plan though. Would love for it to be Moonilal but he doesn't seem to have much national appeal so I'm guessing it's probably going to be Vandana in the long term as the safest choice. Honestly thought that UNC could have built a future with Paray post Kamla.

She's 72 now and would be 77 in 5 years time. Life expectancy for a woman in Trinidad is 74 years etc. Not sure what ailments she live with daily etc.

Look like she build a slate to maintain her control of the UNC and opposition leader if she loses.

this might blow your mind, but in the UNC, leaders are elected by the party membership in internal elections.

The current leader doesn't get to anoint the next leader

[Redress10]

Kamla slate eh looking too bad. Still not seeing any succession plan though. Would love for it to be Moonilal but he doesn't seem to have much national appeal so I'm guessing it's probably going to be Vandana in the long term as the safest choice. Honestly thought that UNC could have built a future with Paray post Kamla.

She's 72 now and would be 77 in 5 years time. Life expectancy for a woman in Trinidad is 74 years etc. Not sure what ailments she live with daily etc.

Look like she build a slate to maintain her control of the UNC and opposition leader if she loses.

this might blow your mind, but in the UNC, leaders are elected by the party membership in internal elections.

The current leader doesn't get to anoint the next leader

Whether you appoint or anoint, you have to pick from ya available options.

[paid_influencer]

the party membership will pick. So is not a question of succession planning, but more a question of who is willing to lead and is the most popular with the membership

which is Jearlean John, as a kind of open secret.

[Redress10]

the party membership will pick. So is not a question of succession planning, but more a question of who is willing to lead and is the most popular with the membership

which is Jearlean John, as a kind of open secret.

My concern about succession planning has more to do with the age of the leaders than party policy. These leaders at an age where one foot done in the grave tbh. If not the grave then mental faculties done start slipping. We have to retire by age 60 but electing leaders who clocking 65+.

Nobody ready for Jearlean John