PM challenges Sir James, Eustace to public debate at same time

“I will take on both of them simultaneously anywhere, anyplace, anytime. I will expose their non reasons.”

Those were the words of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves as he addressed the media on Wednesday at Cabinet Room.{{more}}

At the second reading of the Constitution Bill 2009 on September 2nd this year, the Prime Minister offered to step down from office if this would mean an approval for the new constitution at the November 25th referendum.

Then, at a round table discussion held at the Methodist Church Hall on September 21st, Gonsalves issued a challenge to anyone who would debate him on the issues concerning the proposed constitution.

These offers have received no response from the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), which has mounted a VOTE NO push, as a prelude to the Government’s YES VOTE campaign. The Vote Yes campaign is to be officially launched on Sunday at the Victoria Park.

The Prime Minister offered to go head to head against Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace, and the party’s former leader Sir James Mitchell, who has thrown his weight behind the party he founded.

Gonsalves said that he believes that there has been no response to his offers because the Opposition has no credible intellectual basis to mount a NO campaign.

The people will understand that they have no credible basis, no sound intellectual reason …. We have an excellent product and it speaks for itself,” the Prime Minister stated.

“That is what the people want, that is what the people have been calling for and now is the moment for it.”