Gail Alexander
Senior Political Reporter
Representatives of the National Transformation Alliance (NTA), the HOPE party and the Congress of the People (COP) en route to a political alliance will make their debut collective appearance at the Red House on Saturday for the wreath-laying ceremony marking the 34th anniversary of the 1990 coup attempt.
This was confirmed by HOPE leader Timothy Hamel-Smith yesterday.
HOPE has been in discussions towards a strategic alliance with Gary Griffith’s NTA and the COP headed by interim leader Kirt Sinnette. Other groups have joined the effort.
On Saturday, representatives wearing white will gather at South Quay to join the COP’s Wendell Eversley, who will make his annual July 27 walk from Arima to the Red House carrying T&T’s flag. Eversley was a hostage in the failed coup attempt by members of the Jamaat Al Muslimeen. They stormed the Red House and TTT’s Maraval Road offices, taking hostages in both, including then Prime Minister ANR Robinson and NAR government members.
Hamel-Smith said, “On Saturday, TT’s security and safety will be uppermost in our minds. The coup attempt is a reminder of the need to be vigilant to protect our democracy. The multiple murders daily ring alarm bells for citizens to understand we need to stand up for our country. Democracy isn’t lost in a flash; it erodes over time. We have the opportunity to deal with it.”
NTA’s Griffith said, “The reason we’re all working together is because of our passion and patriotism to ensure democracy must be established. We almost lost it in 1990 because of people who were virtual terrorists trying to overthrow the Government and country. Now, 34 years later, we’re seeing another type of democracy being destroyed—politicians in government taking away every shred of our independent institutions.”
‘Alliance will be a force
to be reckoned with’
Hamel-Smith said meetings with the NTA, COP and other groups have progressed “well beyond my expectations, perhaps reflective of what’s happening in T&T and Government’s nonchalant attitude and not seeing any hope with the UNC.
“I can’t predict what shape or form the strategic alliance will take—as politics is too dynamic—but other groups want to join us.
“On the periphery, there’s also people from UNC and PNM expressing interest. We believe we’ll be a force to be reckoned with at 2025 general election,” he added.
On possible a UNC connection, Hamel-Smith added, “We won’t go cap in hand. If they think we bring value and if we can talk based on mutual respect for each other, we’re always open to that.”
Griffith reiterated recent statements, including that a roadmap for T&T’s transformation was part of NTA’s focus, prioritising security, health, education, energy and the economy.