“No surprise that people would consider every move till General Elections a potential political gimmick.”
This, from Prime Minister Stuart Young on the recent announcement of ex gratia payments to the families of the victims of the Paria/LMCS diving tragedy as well as the sole survivor, Christopher Boodram.
He spoke on this matter and more after successfully filing his nomination papers for Port of Spain North/St. Ann’s West constituency at the Belmont Secondary School on Friday morning.
He said, “Anything that is done at this point in time and the decision that we took is going to be politicised. I said that I understand there will be a level of cynicism. I recognise that, and the population and elements in the population are entitled to be cynical about it. I can’t change the past. I can’t. But one of the first things I wanted to do because I understand the difficulty, the pain, the suffering, the trauma. And no amount of money will compensate the families. Was to take this decision to go to Cabinet. I went to them last week, the Cabinet said yes. It was a collective decision. I gave them a week to consider, to deliberate on it, because that is the collective benefit of a Cabinet. Came back yesterday and the Cabinet confirmed.”
The Prime Minister reminded that he was just substantively in the post for three weeks but plans to stand by commitments that he made when he first entered politics.
These commitments were also remembered by one constituent, Carl Clarke, who told reporters, “He’s a person don’t really promise anything, but once you know, have an idea how to go about certain things to make it better, he will give you that hearing.”
Mr. Young said, “One thing I promised in 2014 when I started walking here. Three things I said. One, I don’t make promises. Two, you will see me more than just for the elections, and three, I’ll always do my best. And that remains how it is.”
The Prime Minister will be facing the Progressive Empowerment Party’s Phillip Edward Alexander for the Port of Spain North/St. Ann’s West seat.
Both candidates spoke to the efficiency of the process and their readiness for the upcoming election.
Mr. Young said, “I went through the run-through last week; everything went well so I was literally in there for less minutes than it took me to get from my campaign office to here and I am ready. Red, ready and responsible.”
Mr. Alexander stated, “We’re duly nominated. All our paperwork, everything is in order, and we go forward from here.”
When asked about the PEP Leader’s comments about the fear of meeting him at the returning station, Prime Minister Young had a very short reply: “Anybody who listens to Mr. Alexander, just be careful of the pathway that you are being led down. I am afraid of no one.”