Kamla Persad-Bissessar re-elected unopposed as UNC political leader, extends historic run

Kamla Persad-Bissessar has made political history once again, securing her fourth consecutive victory in the United National Congress (UNC) internal leadership elections since 2010—this time without a challenger. The nomination-only win comes just three months after she led the UNC to a landslide victory in Trinidad and Tobago’s April 28 General Election.

- Advertisement -

With no contenders stepping forward, Persad-Bissessar was officially declared re-elected on nomination day, effectively concluding the party’s internal electoral process ahead of the planned August 17 vote.

Scores of UNC supporters gathered at the party’s headquarters on Mulchan Seuchan Road in Chaguanas on Saturday to witness the announcement. Cheers erupted shortly after the 4 p.m. nomination deadline, as veteran attorney and chair of the Election Management Committee (EMC), Ramesh Persad-Maharaj, confirmed the outcome.

“We confirm that as of 4 p.m. today, there is no other candidate for the post of political leader of the United National Congress,” Persad-Maharaj said, drawing applause from the crowd.

Citing the party’s revised election rules, he added: “In the event that only one candidate is valiantly nominated, the committee shall announce that candidate as duly elected unopposed to the office of political leader and formally end this election process.”

Persad-Bissessar addressed supporters from the podium, reflecting on her 15-year tenure as party leader and thanking members for their unwavering support. She recalled her first leadership contest in 2010, in which she defeated UNC founder Basdeo Panday—calling it a “revolutionary moment.”

Since then, Persad-Bissessar has remained undefeated in internal leadership elections, prevailing over Dr Roodal Moonilal and Vasant Bharath in 2015, and Bharath again in 2020. Despite general election losses in 2015 and 2020, she maintained strong backing from the party base and now returns with a renewed mandate.

“From the moment you entrusted me with leadership, I vowed that internal, local and national elections will always be called when they are constitutionally due. I have kept that word to you and to the people of our land,” she said. “And as always, I treat an internal election as a contest of purpose, not of personalities.”

She credited her administration’s record in government and outlined plans to steer the country forward.

“We won government. As you know, we inherited the dire socioeconomic mess, hard times for our citizens, escalated crime wave, organised crime networks, and a stunted economy,” she said. “This administration, now governing with a special majority, must display disciplined leadership, principled policy, credible plan to rescue and rebuild our beloved land.”

Addressing calls for her to step aside after 15 years at the helm, Persad-Bissessar emphasized that succession planning was underway—but her leadership remains.

“To those who ask, after 15 years, is it time to move on? Well, the electorate answered three months ago. It is time to move forward together,” she said. “I offer you continuity of purpose, with renewal as a method—new faces elevated, new structures empowered, new ideas incubated and totally committed to victory under tried and tested leadership.”

She pledged to foster “deeper internal democracy, wider candidacies and deliberate mentorship,” adding: “The baton will be passed when that time comes, but it’s not today.”

Getting emotional, Persad-Bissessar offered a heartfelt message to supporters: “Half of my heart belongs to you and the other half I gift to you again… You have had leaders before me. You will have leaders after me. But you will never, ever have a leader who loves you as much as I do.”

She ended by urging unity and focus as the UNC takes on its renewed mandate. “Let us always bring light where there is darkness. And let us commit together to rebuild and restore Trinidad and Tobago. That is the mandate you have given the UNC. And we will honour that mandate.”