Karen Nunez-Tesheira believes it is time to address the issues in the PNM and the country, to rebuild a strong foundation of the party and actually practise integrity.

With her two children being adults and having no financial responsibilities, she believes this is the time for her to try to make an impact. And she is doing so by contesting the post of political leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM).

She said her policy is never to destroy what others built, especially that which was founded and well-constructed by the “Father of the Nation,” Dr Eric Williams.

That is why, she said, she will not attack the party for its shortcomings, but is instead looking to improve it, to restore the faith of those who have left and attract new members.

An attorney-at-law, Nunez-Tesheira said since the intention of a political party is to form the government, it is like a “dress rehearsal” of what to expect when the party goes into leadership.

Therefore, the party’s structure and how it manages its business is important. And she will be guided by Article II of the party’s constitution, which addresses its aims and objectives.

“I will only say there is clearly a sense of alienation, there is clearly a sense of disconnect between the government leadership and the people of this country who put it in power. They (PNM parliamentarians) have shot themselves in their foot by saying things like, ‘Use a coal pot,' 'Stop eating macaroni pie and ham,' 'Why you on the road at 8am and wasting fuel?’

She said it reminded her of the saying usually attributed to queen of France Marie Antoinette, who said, “Let them eat cake,” when she was told the peasants had no bread. It showed how disconnected she was from the suffering of her people, while she lived a life of extravagance. Marie Antoinette was later guillotined during the French Revolution.

“For it to appear that there are only certain persons in this country, whether by your policies, lack of policies, implementation or lack of implementation, benefiting (from the party’s governance), something has to be wrong. And you cannot fix what you do not acknowledge.

“Doing this is not to destroy the party. Hopefully, it would address the fissures, the cracks, to address the issues that are challenging the party, so that we could build back a strong foundation that does not only talk of democracy, integrity and transparency, but live it out.”

She said that is why she has been adamant about finding out how the Election Supervisory Committee will be securing the ballot boxes for the internal elections to take place on November 26 and 27 and December 4. She has also requested clear communication of guidelines for new registrants.

“Does that inspire trust and confidence? It seems self-serving. The persons controlling this thing have a vested interest in the outcome, and yet those are the persons keeping the boxes.

“In the national elections there is an independent body, the EBC (Elections and Boundaries Commission), and there is a reason for that – you do not want the