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  • 6 hours ago
Former Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles in his first official interview with the media, since his untimely resignation as Chief Secretary in 2020, is tonight confirming his support for former Minority Leader Kelvon Morris, in his bid for the leadership of the PNM Tobago Council.
Elizabeth Williams spoke with Mr. Charles and has this report.
Transcript
00:00When someone can bring to the table persons who have had serious differences, that person, by virtue of that act
00:14and the ability to get us together in the same place, having robust conversations and striving for common ground,
00:27then that person, by that act, demonstrates that he has the ability and what it takes to bridge gaps, to
00:39pull people together and to lead at a time like this.
00:42Mr. Charles resigned as chief secretary in 2020 after he lost the fight for PNM political leader in Tobago to
00:50Tracy Davidson-Celestin following the internal election of the party.
00:54Many within the PNM saw it as him being forced out, and this seemed to have started the fracturing of
01:02the PNM in Tobago.
01:03Today, however, they are together again, as both Tracy Davidson-Celestin and Charles are supporting Mr. Morris for leadership of
01:12the PNM-Tobago Council.
01:13I have had my chapter. Others have had theirs. And arguably, what we have seen is that the differences have
01:25been taken care of, and Mr. Morris has been able to bring us together. So as I said before, that
01:34speaks volume.
01:35Charles told the TV6 News, having been in the background, working with Mr. Morris since 2022, he actually believes Morris
01:45should have been leader of the PNM-Tobago Council before now.
01:50I had been working with him, as I said, since 2022. And as a matter of fact, I felt that
01:55he should have been given the opportunity since 2022 to become the leader of the party.
01:59You know, I feel very strongly about that. I could always explain that, but I know it's a short interview.
02:05But during that period, he had approached me, as I said, and we have worked together.
02:09I have spent concrete hours ensuring that he was well prepared for his budget debates and other activities.
02:18So he would have approached us and said he wanted to have a conversation with us.
02:22And like mature people, we're obliged.
02:26And the rest is history?
02:28The rest is history.
02:29Charles said, observing the growth and development of Morris, he believes voters would do the right thing on Sunday, when
02:37the polls open from 8 a.m.
02:39Mr. Morris is a champion of the people, a very worthy individual, someone who in the last four years, when
02:48he was minority leader, has been up and down this island of Tobago, in the trenches, fighting almost a lonely
02:55battle.
02:56If that does not qualify him to lead the party at this time, then you probably need to tell me
03:01what does.
03:02Elizabeth Williams, TV6 News.
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