The Honourable Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar: The PNM Has Betrayed the People Once Again
Today, the UNC Government passed its first national budget, a progressive budget for rebuilding our nation, despite the disgraceful behaviour of the Opposition PNM. I condemn in the strongest terms the shameful conduct of the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), who once again stood against the people of Trinidad and Tobago by voting against the Appropriation (Financial Year 2026) Bill, 2025 – the people’s budget.
The PNM has proven, beyond any doubt, that they remain true to their pattern of destruction, obstruction, and emptiness. After nearly a decade of failure while in Government, they continue to offer nothing but negativity and deceit in Opposition. Their decision to vote against progress is not surprising – it is who they are and what they have become: a party without vision, compassion, or shame.
The PNM Opposition voted against increased salaries for public servants and other workers. They voted against children, expanded health care, laptops and upgrade to our schools and the country’s infrastructure. They voted against teachers, doctors and nurses who provide a labour of love. They voted against so many measures designed to help the people and they did so brazenly, and joyfully. Shameful and disgraceful!It was only last week that the Budget Debate collapsed because PNM Members of Parliament failed to even rise and speak on behalf of their own constituents. They abandoned their duty then, and today they have failed the people once again. It is disgraceful that they continue to peddle the false and dangerous narrative that the national budget is “fake and fraudulent.”
This is an outright lie. The budget my Government has presented is real, responsible, and progressive. It lays the groundwork for the rolling out of our plans and policies to improve the quality of life for every citizen of this nation.
While the PNM engages in theatrics and falsehoods, my Government has been hard at work. Over the past week, we have demonstrated transparency and accountability during five full days of the Standing Finance Committee. I made myself available and participated in those sessions because I believe the people deserve openness and truth from their leaders.
Sadly, what we saw from the Opposition was a disgraceful display of unparliamentary behaviour – particularly from a former short-term Prime Minister who seems determined to divide this country by playing the race card. The PNM has no moral or political ground to stand on, when they attack a budget that puts people first.
I call on the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to reject the politics of hate and divisiveness. My Government is working for everyone – for every creed and every race, for every community, for every citizen who believes in progress, equality, and opportunity.
While the Parliament debated the people’s business, our work continued. The National Recruitment Drive launched by my Government has already received over 110,000 applications.
Next week, the interview process will begin, and in the first phase alone, 20,000 citizens will be employed. This is just the beginning as we continue to roll out our job creation and national development initiatives.I thank and congratulate the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Planning, and every member of my Government team for their hard work and dedication in delivering a people-centered, forward-thinking budget.
As your Prime Minister, I will continue to lead with compassion, courage, and commitment. I give you my solemn assurance that under my leadership, the people will always come first. Our vision is clear, our plans are real, and our mission is to build a better, fairer, and stronger Trinidad and Tobago for all.