United National Congress campaign manager Rodney Charles was elusive yesterday when asked how much money the party had so far spent on the “NoRowley” election campaign, saying the party will only do so when the People’s National Movement reveals its financiers and the amount of money spent on campaigning.
Charles was fielding questions from the media as the UNC continued its “NoRowley” campaign opposite the United Nations building on Chancery Lane, Port-of-Spain. “I cannot give that figure,” Charles said on the issue of how much was spent thus far. As Charles was standing in front a poster, a middle-aged woman in a black car came out a short distance away and shouted “PNM forever” several times before driving away.
Pressed repeatedly about the specific cost of the continuing campaign, which features posters of Rowley both in public and online, Charles said: “The cost of my gas was $20. The poster...we use this all the time...this cost about TT$400. “My time I would say $50. I would say the total cost of today (yesterday) was under $1,000. That money came from the campaign and where did that money come from...from donors. And who are the donors? I am not at liberty to give out at this stage.”
Charles also held a small globe in his hand but could not initially say what it signified. When told he was the campaign manager but was unaware of what the globe represented, Charles said: “It points out to international affairs...I could see how we relate to the US, Brazil, Panama, China. We are really speaking about Trinidad’s relation with the global community.”
Asked if he believed as campaign manager it was his responsibility to know where the campaign finance was being sourced, especially in the face of numerous corruption allegations made against the party, Charles said: “We are an organised party. We are committed to campaign finance reform. “The Prime Minister has given instructions that when the PNM reveals their campaign finance we are going to do the same.
“That is the end as far as I know. I cannot speculate.” On why the UNC’s screening process has not yet been completed, Charles said the party was operating on a plan and schedule. “There are a number of people who want to be part of Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s vision...young engineers, doctors, lawyers, self-made businessmen.
“For example, in one constituency we have 28 to 30 people wanting to be the candidate and that tells me that people, and particularly young people, want to be involved. But to bring them into the process of decision making...that takes time.” Asked whether the UNC’s incomplete screening process thus far may be to the disadvantage of the party, Charles said that once a candidate was announced that person could “start the ground running.”
Regarding the UNC’s negotiations with the Congress of the People (COP) for seats, Charles said it was proceeding, adding that he (Charles) was expected to meet with COP leader Prakash Ramadhar yesterday on the issue. “We speak at least three times a week in terms of co-ordinating our policies and plans. They have announced candidates and we have. Obviously discussions took place. So things are happening on the ground even though there is no formal announcement,” he said.
On speculation that the UNC intended to drop the COP leading up the general election, Charles said this was not true as the PP Government was a component of partners who each had something to contribute.
Regarding the police probe into Jack Warner’s allegations that Persad-Bissessar accepted $8.3 million from party financiers in exchange for legislative protection against extradition, Charles said this was not the first time allegations have been levelled against the PM. “She has been accused of smoking weed, she has been accused on e-mails and at every instance she has come clear,” Charles said.