Kamla Persad-Bissessar has created political history once again, winning her fourth consecutive internal leadership election since 2010 and doing so unopposed. The nomination-only victory comes just 90 days after she led the United National Congress (UNC) to a landslide win in the April 28 General Election, returning the party to government with a commanding majority.
With no challengers stepping forward, Persad-Bissessar was officially declared re-elected on nomination day, effectively ending the party’s internal electoral process before ballots were even printed for the August 17 poll.
Prime Minister of T&T Kamla Persad-Bissessar has been reelected as the leader of the United National Congress (UNC) unopposed
Scores of UNC supporters gathered at the party’s Mulchan Seuchan Road, Chaguanas headquarters on Saturday to witness the moment. Cheers erupted as veteran attorney and chair of the Election Management Committee (EMC), Ramesh Persad-Maharaj, made the formal declaration shortly after the 4 pm nomination deadline.
“We confirm that as of 4 pm today, there is no other candidate for the post of political leader of the United National Congress,” Persad-Maharaj announced, as supporters clapped in celebration.
Quoting the party’s revised election rules, he added: “In the event that only one candidate is valiantly nominated, the committee shall announce that candidate as duly elected unopposed to the office of political leader and formally end this election process.”
Clad in traditional African attire ahead of Emancipation Day, Persad-Bissessar took the podium to thank her supporters and reflect on her 15-year journey at the helm of the UNC. She first contested the party’s leadership in 2010, defeating founding leader Basdeo Panday in what she described as a “revolutionary moment.”
Since then, she has never lost an internal leadership contest—defeating Dr Roodal Moonilal and Vasant Bharath in 2015, and Bharath again in 2020. Despite losing general elections in 2015 and 2020, she retained the support of the party’s base and has now secured a renewed mandate following the UNC’s return to power in April.
“From the moment you entrusted me with leadership, I vowed that internal, local and national elections will always be called when they are constitutionally due. I have kept that word to you and to the people of our land. And as always, I treat an internal election as a contest of purpose, not of personalities.”
She credited her administration’s past achievements in government and pledged to govern with bold, compassionate leadership during the party’s new term in office.
“We won government. As you know, we inherited the dire socioeconomic mess, hard times for our citizens, escalated crime wave, organised crime networks, and a stunted economy.”
“This administration, now governing with a special majority, must display disciplined leadership, principled policy, credible plan to rescue and rebuild our beloved land.”
Speaking directly to those calling for her to step aside, Persad-Bissessar signalled that succession planning was in place, but her leadership would continue for now.
“To those who ask, after 15 years, is it time to move on? Well, the electorate answered three months ago. It is time to move forward together.”
“I offer you continuity of purpose, with renewal as a method—new faces elevated, new structures empowered, new ideas incubated and totally committed to victory under tried and tested leadership. I pledge you deeper internal democracy, wider candidacies and deliberate mentorship. So, the baton is not placed. The baton is not dropped. This is my contract with you. The baton will be passed when that time comes, but it’s not today.”
Getting emotional, she offered a message of gratitude and enduring commitment to the UNC faithful: “Half of my heart belongs to you and the other half I gift to you again… You have had leaders before me. You will have leaders after me. But you will never, ever have a leader who loves you as much as I do.”
Calling on the party and its supporters to remain unified and purpose-driven, she added: “Let us always bring light where there is darkness. And let us commit together to rebuild and restore Trinidad and Tobago. That is the mandate you have given the UNC. And we will honour that mandate.” (T&T Guardian)
