Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke says there is nothing in the labour union's constitution that debars him from running as an independent candidate for Tobago East in the upcoming 2015 general elections.
He was speaking to the media after the launch of his campaign, which was held at the Pirates Boat Yard, Roxborough, which is Duke's hometown.
Duke said the PSA executive read the Association's constitution and offered him no objection.
"I have received endorsements from my executive, from my general council and my conference of delegates. Those were properly documented, meetings were held and there is nothing in the constitution that suggests or even advises on anyone resigning from their position because they are seeking to represent a bigger community," he said.
He said there was no conflict of interest since it is the greatest reconciliation any trade union leader can do to reconcile his members' interest, with the interest of the citizenry.
Dispelling rumours that the Public Services Association was funding his campaign, Duke said he was getting support from working class citizens close to him.
"The PSA has not subscribed or provided any funds for this campaign, nor have I made any requests for such funds. What I have been doing is saving money. I have a little savings, I have friends and workers who are working-class people who have decided to pitch in, who would pay for a two, five or ten jerseys, as the case may be. And so that is how we intend to fund my campaign from the resources of friends and people," Duke said.
He said if he is successful as the Member of Parliament for Tobago East he will not be accepting any ministerial position as his main focus will be to represent poor people. But a political party could be in the making for the next Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections, he said.
"This is a movement of immense proportions. This is a movement that will not stop just with the winning of the East. This will stop with the complete overhaul of Tobago and we are coming for the West also. We are coming for the entire twelve seats. We are coming to put London and his entire idle administration out of office," he said, an apparent reference to THA Chief Secretary Orville London.
The People's National Movement candidate for Tobago East is Ayanna Webster-Roy.