The Leader of the Alliance For Change, Raphael Trotman, believes that his party “dropped the ball” by not treating the no-confidence motion seriously enough and by failing to recognize that one of their own could vote in favour of the motion.
In a letter to party members, Mr. Trotman who is also the Minister of Natural Resources and a former Speaker of the National Assembly, described Charrandass Persaud’s decision to vote along with the PPP as “an attack”.
He said the unexpected events of December 21st, “have left us shocked and hurt. It is clear the manner in which the monstrous plot was unleashed was intended to cause maximum damage to the Government”
Trotman said it is even worse for the AFC, which is the smaller partner in the coalition government with the APNU.
“For the AFC, this is a double blow because the Government is now threatened, and the attack came from within the ranks of the AFC. This attack was well planned, timed and executed. So let us not believe that what happened was conceived and executed in a few days or weeks. We dropped the ball by not treating this seriously enough, and by failing to recognise that one of our own could vote in favour of the Motion.”, he said.
When Persaud initially voted “yes”, Trotman could be seen offering advice to Minister Volda Lawrence, in a failed attempt to stop the voting. Persaud never budged from his “yes” vote and has been defending his position.
In an interview with the press immediately after his no confidence vote, Charrandass Persaud said among the issues that caused him to vote the way he did was the inaction of the AFC leader by not being tough enough when the Chairperson of the People’s National Congress, made a comment at one of her party’s internal meeting about jobs for party people.
Persaud claimed that he wrote to Trotman on the issue. However, Mr. Trotman has since said there was no letter. In his letter to his party members, he said while he shoulders responsibility for the outcomes he will not accept that he is responsible for what happened because of his statement on the Volda Lawrence statement.
“It is in my personality to always see the good in people and to accept that good people can say, and do silly and hurtful things. During my political career I have defended Khemraj Ramjattan, our Chairman, when he was a member of the PPP, and called on the PNC to apologise for aspects of its administration, and more recently, released Mr. Rohee from the restriction of speaking in the National Assembly, to name a few. All of these defences of people from other parties saw me viciously attacked, and I remind myself that I look for the good in people and not demonize them for mistakes made when I know them differently”.
Mr. Trotman said the no-confidence motion has been a wake-up call for the party, long before it was even voted on, adding that the vote has made the concerns of the people even more acute.
“The AFC and Government have recognized this as a significant political indicator and it will not be business as usual. We have made a commitment to listen, to accept that we have erred, and seek to change; whilst providing leadership”, he noted.
Trotman said the next few days and weeks are going to be testing for the citizens, and members of the AFC and he will be taking full responsibility to lead the party’s efforts to regroup and rebuild.
“Let us join hands. We have to remain strong. Securing ourselves from any further slippage. This party has matured and grown stronger with each year since its formation in 2005 and survived several destabilising episodes. I have no doubt that we will get past this one, once we remain committed to each other, draw on our strengths, and work to address the valid concerns of our members and supporters”, the AFC Leader said.
-Keno George Photos-
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