By ANDRE BAGOO Friday, July 30 2010

IN A MOVE that both jettisoned and reinforced some traditions of her predecessor, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Wednesday night hosted a gala reception in honour of visiting youth parliamentarians. The function was held at the Prime Minister’s Residence and Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s.

In a mark of the changes brought on by a new Government administration, the swanky event was opened up briefly for the media who saw both Government and Opposition members–including Diego Martin North-East MP Colm Imbert – in attendance.

The reception was held on the grounds of the $244 million compound, which was constructed under former Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s tenure, under tents and in front of a large $10 million stage added to the complex during the last months of Manning’s regime.

“We all have a lot to celebrate today,” Persad-Bissessar told guests gathered, including students who participated in the Seventh Regional Youth Parliament, and the bulk of members of her own political party, the UNC. “The events of the past two days represent a catharsis for Trinidad and Tobago, and for the region,”she declared.

The Prime Minister was referring to the recently concluded Local Government Elections which saw the coalition grouping of the UNC and COP, billed as the “People’s Partnership” (PP), take home the lion’s share of districts. The PP’s 11 to three victory over the PNM arguably cemented Persad-Bissessar’s dominance on the political landscape and reaffirmed the electorate’s still lingering dissatisfaction with the last PNM regime.

On Wednesday, in her speech at La Fantasie, Persad-Bissessar continued her campaign of distinguishing her administration from past ones that appeared unwilling to reform outdated models.

Speaking of the ideas expressed at the Youth Parliament, she said they brought home for her, “the need for Parliament to be more accessible to people, to reality, to the reach of people” and the “need for constitutional reform”.

“Perhaps it is time to create a Parliamentary model that is more in keeping with the reality of our region,” she said. “I want to give you the assurance that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago takes these words to heart, not only in the running of the Parliament, but also in our daily interaction with our citizens and our interactions with our Government.”

The event came about two months after Manning held a series of receptions, closed-off to the media, at the same venue.

While members of the Opposition were often not invited to similar events under Manning (some factions of the UNC then took to boycotting such events), former Deputy Speaker and PNM minister Hedwidge Bereaux and Imbert attended the event, marking a distinct shift in approach.

Also in attendance were Speaker Wade Mark and former Speakers Barry Sinanan and Occah Seepaul. Also present was Former chairman of the Police Service Commission, Christopher Thomas. As the Prime Minister, decked in a golden African-inspired garb, mingled with guests and students, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan chatted with Minister of Works, Jack Warner, Hyatt staff–assigned to the Prime Minister’s Residence—attended to guests, specially hired caterers served up local food: corn-soup and doubles to curious Caribbean visitors, entrees were served and a fully-stocked bar flowed.

For the first time, members of the media saw the new outdoor stage erected on the compound function: its large plush red curtains parting to reveal a troupe of dancers who entertained the guests. Also performing were a calypsonian as well as a pannist. The media was ushered out just after 8.30pm, with the guests, many of whom were Government ministers, mingling under the tents.