London staying out of TOP business

Orville London, Chief Secretary of THA

People's National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council leader Orville London does not want to add his voice to the calls for Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader Ashworth Jack to step down following the 12-nil thrashing of his party in last Monday's Tobago House of Assembly election.

"...one of the things that I am trying not to do is to interfere in the business of the TOP and its leader and I really hope I am not tempted or persuaded to do anything otherwise," London said yesterday.

He spoke with the media during the PNM's victory motorcade throughout the island. London assisted in the organising of buses, maxi taxis, trucks and cars as the motorcade left the Scarborough Market car park, along the Claude Noel Highway, through Signal Hill, Patience Hill and across Tobago.

On Saturday, the PNM held a thanksgiving evening at the Scarborough Esplanade.

Asked who should be the next President of Trinidad and Tobago, London said the person should be someone of integrity who inspires trust and is not considered or perceived to be partisan.

"But I think the most important criteria has to be that person is an individual who you have confidence in, is going to be non-partisan and sufficiently detached from the politics.

"That the decision which he or she makes, even though you don't agree with them, you will know that they are not motivated by anything political or influenced one way or the other," said London.

On Saturday, London met with economist Dr Vanus James with respect to Tobago and the way forward in terms of governance.

He said talks were frank, interesting and his suggestions were quite productive.

"Some recommendations were made which we are looking at and, of course, over the next couple weeks I will be talking to other leaders and basically hoping to come up with a consensus."

London also sought to dispel any notion of the PNM forming a coalition with other political parties.

"What we are saying is that people maintain their independent identity, but we all work together in the interest of the people of Tobago."

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress