This country is not ready or prepared for a third-party option according to Gary Griffith, Political Leader of the National Transformation Alliance (NTA) as he conceded defeat at 9.30 last night.
The mood at the NTA headquarters in Mt Lambert was quiet and pensive, as the results started to trickle in about after 7 pm.
Griffith had the full support of his family, who kept close to him as the numbers started to collate.
The political party contested 17 seats in the General Election but preliminary results showed it was unsuccessful in gaining any seats.
The constituencies the party contested were Aranguez/St Joseph, La Horquetta/Talparo, Toco/Sangre Grande, San Juan/Barataria, Tunapuna, St Augustine, Arouca/Maloney, Arima, Diego Marin West, Diego Martin Central, Diego Martin North/East, Port-of-Spain North, Port-of-Spain South, Point Fortin, San Fernando West, Chaguanas East and St Ann’s East.
Speaking to his candidates and a small group of supporters, Griffith told them this was not a time for the party to be despondent, or have any degree of animosity towards the country, as the citizens have made a choice, and it must respect it.
“Since 1981, we started with this perception of a third party that was the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) and they did not get a seat. In 1991, it continued with the NAR on its own, breaking away from the UNC of which the political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar was a part and they didn’t get a seat. The same thing happened with the Congress of the People. What we did is provide the country 18 years later as an option,” Griffith said.
He noted that the NTA has tried to unite T&T and will continue to provide that opportunity.
“Probably if former US president Barack Obama decides to lead a third party, he might lose his deposit as well. That is just the way it is in T&T and similar to other countries in the United States, the same thing with the Democrats and the Republicans and people will criticize both,” Griffith pointed out.
Asked by Guardian Media if the NTA was disappointed that it did not make inroads in the constituencies the party contested, Griffith said, “Honestly, it is very difficult and I think it is time we need to have polls, scientific polls. No one knew what was going to happen until last night and that is where difficulty came in. What I can tell you is that the NTA, I mean, as I’m the only political leader in the country, I can tell you that the NTA has walked in with its candidates. We honestly did not know, but we have no regrets.”
As to whether the NTA would be contesting the 2030 general elections, Griffith quickly said that the decision is not going to be based on him alone.
Griffith explained that his style is different. He said as a former military officer, he is a team player.
“It’s going to be based on the rank and file of the NTA. What they decide to do, how they intend to go in what direction, whether it may very well be they may want another political leader. I am always prepared to move aside for someone who may have the capacity to build a party, to build a team. That is what I am. I am not here. I do not own the NTA. All I am is a humble servant, representing the NTA as the political leader,” Griffith stressed.
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