THE joint appearance of the political leaders of the National Transformation Alliance (NTA), Congress of the People and HOPE (Honesty Opportunity Performance Empowerment) at an event to commemorate the memorial of the 1990 attempted coup, does not mean the three parties have formed an alliance to contest next year's general election, which is constitutionally due by November.
But the possibility of such an alliance being formed, remains on the table.
NTA political leader Gary Griffith, COP interim leader Kirt Sinnette and HOPE political leader Timothy Hamel-Smith made these comments on July 24.
A statement issued by HOPE on July 23 said Griffith, Sinnette and Hamel-Smith would attend the memorial at the Red House, Port of Spain on July 27 at 10.30 am.
The statement, which was signed by Griffith, Sinnette and Hamel-Smith, underscored the importance of acknowledging July 27 as a day of national significance and not a holiday.
In a Whatsapp reply to Newsday, Griffith said the attendance of Sinette, Hamel-Smith and himself at the memorial does not by itself signify that an alliance has been forged between their respective parties.
"I think we are getting ahead of ourselves. Certain comments being made. So it is not a coalition or anything like that. But what the NTA stands for, the reason why this political party was formed was we saw the importance for the transformation of TT and that you will be hearing about shortly."
Griffith said, "Through that transformation, it is based on us having a proper road map towards good governance. It is a template from some of the best minds in the country, independent who have no political affiliation and they have been instrumental in setting a chart towards the transformation of TT."
[caption id="attachment_1098165" align="alignnone" width="602"] Kirt Sinnette -[/caption]
This chart, he continued, will focus on five key areas – national security, health, education, economy and energy.
Griffith said, "This is what we see as the unifying force that would bring people together, bring the country together, bring political parties together."
He believed that if political parties agreed to a common principle that would lead to the transformation of TT, "that is where the alliance (can) be held."
Griffith said it was not a repeat of the approaches that created the failed coalitions of the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) (1986-1991) and the People's Partnership (PP) (2010-2015).
He added the root cause of the failure of both coalitions was the flawed concept of political parties joining together only to defeat the PNM but being unable to govern TT.
"Been there. Done that. The country does not want to see or hear about that again. They want to know is there a common factor other than just trying to team up to beat the PNM and that is what this is."
The concept of a proper alliance, Griffith continued, is to make sure it is more than just trying to get into government.
"It is about trying to ensure that we have certain principles towards good gov
