So the PM panicked and pulled out of the debate against Dr Rowley? Hmmm
well confirmation d marketing people fraid to let she debate....and d blog trolls done bawlin Rowley questions is d reason steups
tell alyuh
National Debate between PM, Rowley not a done dealA national debate is needed as there are over 30 per cent of undecided voters who want to hear what the leaders have to say about the issues facing this country says Lorraine O’ Connor, member of the Trinidad and Tobago Debates Commission.
Commission members O’ Connor, Ronald Harford and Angela Persad met with attorney Larry Lalla, Debates Negotiator for Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at his St Clair office on Tuesday to discuss the proposed leaders’ debate.
Lalla told the Express that the Prime Minister has expressed her willingness to debate People’s National Movement (PNM) leader Dr Keith Rowley by the end of July for the latest.
“The Commission contended that the debate could not be held in the month of July since (1) their proposed August date was pegged to nomination day; (2) it needed time to secure sponsors and (3) it needed time to secure a location,” said Lalla.
“With respect, nomination day is irrelevant for the purpose of a debate between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. Their status will not change between now and then and there is no proper reason to await nomination day to host a debate between these two leaders,” he added.
“Further, we are unable to understand why the Chamber of Commerce, with all its resources, would require until August to secure a location or sponsors for such an event. One would think that there would be a rush of sponsors in support of such an important event,” said Lalla.
The Debates Commission, he said, refused to be flexible about the date and the meeting ended.
“We reiterate our belief in the importance of this event and hope that the public will witness a national leaders debate in the month of July, whether hosted by the Chamber of Commerce or some other entity,” said Lalla.
O’Connor said the Debate Commission is flexible and is trying to work to get common ground between all parties.
“It is really important to have this debate as the people who the debate affect would be the undecided, over 30 per cent who want to hear about the issues,” she said.
O’ Connor said further that research has shown that debates help voters decide how they would cast their vote as they hear what the candidates and leaders are proposing in terms of governance, policies and direction that would impact on the lives of citizens and the overall development of the country.
She said the Commission is working towards finding a solution to ensure that the debate takes place because it is in the interest of the people.
O’ Connor also noted that contrary to Lalla’s views, the Debates Commission is not funded by the Chamber of Commerce- the Chamber is in fact a facilitator of the debate but the expenses will have to be footed from the generosity of corporate Trinidad and Tobago who understands the value of a national debate especially with a general election two months away.
O’ Connor said she and other Commission members remain optimistic that a national debate will take place and the population will have the benefit of hearing what their leaders have to offer Trinidad and Tobago.
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