 |
 |
|
 |
||
 |
|
|
 |
Leader of the Opposition
The Constitution provides for a Leader of the Opposition who is appointed by the President. That person is a member of the House of Representatives and who in his judgement is best able to command the support of the greatest number of Members of the House of Representatives who do not support the Government. Hon. Basdeo Panday, MP
The current Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Basdeo Panday, was born on May 25, 1933 in a rural village in Princes Town. Mr. Panday worked as a cane weigher, primary school teacher and civil servant prior to attending university where he obtained degrees in Law (Lincoln's Inn 1962), Economics (London University - 1965) and Drama (London School of Dramatic Art - 1960). Prime Minister Panday entered politics in 1966 when he became a member of the Workers and Farmers' Party. He was also advisor to a number of Trade Unions upon starting his private practice as a lawyer and continued his struggle for workers' rights when he became President General of the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Trade Union (ATS&GWTU) in 1973. He continued to serve in this position until his appointment as Prime Minister. Mr. Panday was one of the founders of the United Labour Front (ULF). He has represented the Constituency of Couva North in the House of Representatives since 1976 and was Leader of the Opposition from 1981-1986, when he was appointed Minister of External Affairs and International Trade in the N.A.R. Government. In 1988 he resigned from the National Alliance for Reconstruction and formed Club 88, which eventually became a new party - the United National Congress. He was appointed Leader of the Opposition for a second time in 1989, appointed Prime Minister in November, 1995 and was appointed Leader of the Opposition for a third time in October 2002. Mr. Panday was appointed Leader of the Opposition for a fourth time in November 2007. Former Leaders of the Opposition
|
|
 |
