Days after she resigned as a member of the United National Congress and as the Senate Vice-President Lyndira Ouditt on Saturday made her official debut on an Independent Liberal Party platform.
During the launch of the party’s local government campaign, at Auzonville Road, Tunapuna, Ouditt who has assumed the title of ILP interim Deputy Political Leader, told Sunday Newsday she had no choice but to join the Jack Warner led party.
“I think it’s obvious,” she said. “You can’t be in two different directions. I believe in what the ILP stands for. I believe in good representation. You can’t be serving in office and not be serving.” Ouditt who was dressed in a green shirt bearing the ILP logo, said however, that she still maintained a good relationship with other members of the UNC. “I have worked with them since 1999,” she added.
Later during her address to supporters, Ouditt further endorsed the ILP as the party of the future. “This is a new age – 2013 is the dawn of a new era,” she said to loud applause. Ouditt said resigning as a UNC member and Senate vice-president were not easy decisions to make. “I have made many friends, spoken to many people during my time in public office,” she said. Adding that the UNC had deviated from its philosophy. Ouditt claimed the UNC was not serving the people.
“For me, holding office is not enough. It was not enough and it is never enough. We must account for the power and the office that we hold and set measurable objectives. We must be smart,” she said.
Ouditt said government was not about “flukes or vaps” but the management of resources and proper standards of political behaviour. “We have to make a difference in the lives of the majority.”
Taking a jab at the People’s Partnership Ouditt said the party’s huge loss in the Tobago House of Assembly election and Chaguanas West bye-election were referenda against the Government. She said Warner continued to be a “political distraction” while many pressing national issues remained untouched.
“Who in the country has been called to account for these things,” Ouditt asked.
“Why is attention being given to Jack Warner. We cannot be diverted to one man and one issue when there are so many things of national importance.”
Ouditt told supporters they should not be distracted by talk of a possible postponement of the Local Government elections and urged suitable candidates to “come forward for screening.” The Local Government elections is constitutionally due by October.
“I think it’s obvious,” she said. “You can’t be in two different directions. I believe in what the ILP stands for. I believe in good representation. You can’t be serving in office and not be serving.” Ouditt who was dressed in a green shirt bearing the ILP logo, said however, that she still maintained a good relationship with other members of the UNC. “I have worked with them since 1999,” she added.
Later during her address to supporters, Ouditt further endorsed the ILP as the party of the future. “This is a new age – 2013 is the dawn of a new era,” she said to loud applause. Ouditt said resigning as a UNC member and Senate vice-president were not easy decisions to make. “I have made many friends, spoken to many people during my time in public office,” she said. Adding that the UNC had deviated from its philosophy. Ouditt claimed the UNC was not serving the people.
“For me, holding office is not enough. It was not enough and it is never enough. We must account for the power and the office that we hold and set measurable objectives. We must be smart,” she said.
Ouditt said government was not about “flukes or vaps” but the management of resources and proper standards of political behaviour. “We have to make a difference in the lives of the majority.”
Taking a jab at the People’s Partnership Ouditt said the party’s huge loss in the Tobago House of Assembly election and Chaguanas West bye-election were referenda against the Government. She said Warner continued to be a “political distraction” while many pressing national issues remained untouched.
“Who in the country has been called to account for these things,” Ouditt asked.
“Why is attention being given to Jack Warner. We cannot be diverted to one man and one issue when there are so many things of national importance.”
Ouditt told supporters they should not be distracted by talk of a possible postponement of the Local Government elections and urged suitable candidates to “come forward for screening.” The Local Government elections is constitutionally due by October.
