Prime Minister and United National Congress (UNC) political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar used a separate Independence Day message to rally her party’s supporters while sharply criticising the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM).
Addressing the “UNC family” rather than the wider national audience, Persad-Bissessar urged supporters to remain united and determined as the party faces political challenges. She told them, “It’s either peace or total war, nothing in between,” while also encouraging them to pursue education, entrepreneurship and economic advancement.
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Persad-Bissessar described the UNC as more than a political organisation, calling it a belief system built around resistance, freedom, equality, justice, unity, hope and faith. She said the party’s leadership must be strong enough to defend its membership, adding that diplomacy must be accompanied by firmness when necessary.
She also directed criticism at the PNM, accusing the opposition party of having been “hijacked by the local drug mafia and the fake eat-a-food elite.” The remarks add another layer to the increasingly confrontational relationship between the governing UNC and the PNM.
The message was notably different from Persad-Bissessar’s broader Independence Day address, in which she reflected on Trinidad and Tobago’s progress since independence and argued that the country should take greater responsibility for its present challenges.
Her party-focused remarks have drawn criticism from political opponents and observers who argue that an Independence Day message from the Prime Minister should focus on national unity rather than partisan politics. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles described the messaging as divisive and said the Prime Minister should distinguish between her responsibilities as national leader and her role as UNC political leader.
Mickela Panday, daughter of former Prime Minister and UNC founder Basdeo Panday, also questioned the decision to address party supporters in such combative terms on Independence Day. She argued that the occasion belongs to all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, and called the “peace or total war” language particularly concerning.
Political analyst Dr Shane Mohammed offered a more favourable assessment of Persad-Bissessar’s separate national message, arguing that Independence Day provides an opportunity for honest reflection on the country’s development and the decisions made by successive governments.
The contrasting reactions have placed greater attention on Persad-Bissessar’s dual role as Prime Minister and UNC leader. While her message to party supporters sought to strengthen political solidarity, critics say the language risks deepening political divisions at a time when Independence celebrations are traditionally intended to bring citizens together.
Trinidad and Tobago marked its 64th anniversary of independence on August 31, with the Prime Minister’s two messages highlighting the difference between her appeal to the nation and her more forceful appeal to her political base.
