Some elements of the PP appear bent on "UNC-fying" the coalition Partnership, says former senator Patrick Watson.Watson, who was removed as a PP senator in the recent Cabinet reshuffle, said yesterday he did not think his time to leave the Cabinet had come.He said he was honoured to serve, had a good year and appreciated the opportunity to serve. Watson said he would continue to assist Finance Minister Winston Dookeran if requested.
He said he had not intended to leave at this point. He said he was told by the Prime Minister last weekend that there had been an understanding that he would have become a minister eventually-though no offer of ministerial post was made-and that she needed space to appoint more ministers.He said he was also told that the Prime Minister needed to bring people in to defend Government policy.Watson added: "I always thought I defended it. But I'm thankful to the Prime Minister to have served though I have mixed feelings on the removal. I didn't think my time had come to go.
"While I remain committed to the PP, I'm a little concerned about the reshuffle since-and I wish I was wrong-some elements seem bent on UNC-fying the PP."Not the Prime Minister, but certain people there and it's evident the way some appointments were made the COP is being marginalised and UNC people are getting the strongest posts."Watson said the UNC could not win election on its own since the coalition era was here to stay.However, former Public Administration Minister Nan Ramgoolam, tipped to become T&T's consul general to New York, said she was fully supportive of the Prime Minister's decisions:
Ramgoolam added: "You serve at the PM's behest. I abide by her decision. She's a terrific leader and there is no acrimony on my part I'm fully supportive of her decisions. "She did say it was a realignment of her team and where she chooses to place people, she has the power to so do." (GA)