There seems to be no end in sight to the “Great Debate” deadlock as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday remained resolute that she was prepared to debate only on July 30.
“I am prepared for July 30. We plan to go forward with July 30,” she told the media at the opening of the National Enrichment Centre for Persons with Disabilities at Carlsen Field, Chaguanas.
Confusion over the date of a planned leaders’ debate between Persad-Bissessar and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has brought it to a standstill.
The PM’s negotiator Larry Lalla says the T&T Debates Commission (TTDC) decided with his party to stage the debate on July 30 but Rowley said he was told the debate was to be held on August 20 and 27. Both parties are insisting they will debate on no other date other than the one they were told about.
Asked what was the rush to debate on July 30 as opposed to the August dates set by the TTDC, the PM replied: “We want get the issues out there to give the electorate enough time to hear them.”
Told Rowley said he was willing to debate, she shot back: “I am also willing to debate, sir. I will participate in the debate on July 30.”