OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the UNC is seeking a "coalition of interests" with other groups ahead of the next general election.

She did not say whether the effort would lead to something similar to the now-defunct People's Partnership (PP)) coalition which won the May 2010 election.

Persad-Bissessar also admitted to the UNC having differences with its former local government coalition partner, the National Transformation Alliance (NTA).

She did not say whether those differences would be resolved or if the NTA would join the coalition the party is attempting to create.

Persad-Bissessar made those comments before a meeting at the UNC's headquarters in Chaguanas with representatives of the Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP), Movement for National Development (MND) and the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) on December 12.

The Congress of the People (COP), HOPE (Honesty Opportunity Performance Empowerment) and the Public Services Association (PSA) were also invited to the meeting, but their representatives were not present when Persad-Bissessar spoke with the media.

PEP has aligned itself with the UNC but has not formally announced if it is forming an election alliance with the opposition party.

The MND is led by former People's Partnership (PP) attorney general Garvin Nicholas.

At Labour Day celebrations in Fyzabad on June 19, OWTU president-general Ancel Roget and PSA president Leroy Baptiste spoke about a national front alliance between the labour movement and political parties opposed to the PNM, including the UNC.

To date, that proposed national front has not materialised.

Persad-Bissessar said the UNC and the groups present were concerned that the PNM was wrecking TT.

She believed the "coalition of interests" the UNC was trying to build with other groups would work in the best interest of the population.

Persad-Bissessar said the members of the coalition would maintain their individual identities but be united in removing the PNM from office.

Asked whether the coalition would become an alliance where other parties or groups would support UNC candidates or put forward their own candidates who would get the backing of UNC supporters, Persad-Bissessar said those were matters to be discussed.

"We have had discussions before and we have already identified common ground. We have a lot of common ground."

Persad-Bissessar hoped certain things would be fleshed out in the meeting.

OWTU president-general Ancel Roget shared Persad-Bisssesar's view.

"It is absolutely necessary that we come together to ensure that this country is saved. This country is deep crisis."

Roget said the OWTU was prepared to do whatever was necessary to save TT.

Nicholas said, "I certainly believe, and I have said it openly, that the UNC has a significant role to play in removing the PNM."

He added he supported things mentioned in the UNC's draft election manifesto which he heard.

PEP leader Philip Edward Alexander seemed to take a page out of US president-elect Donald Trump as he endo