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.
Scholastic Achievements:
1951 - Senior Cambridge Certificate, Presentation College
1960 - Diploma in Drama, London School of Dramatic Arts
1962 - Barrister at Law, Lincoln's Inn
1965 - B.Sc Economics, London University. Prior to attending
University, Mr. Panday worked as a cane weigher with Caroni
Limited, as a Primary School Teacher at Seereeram Memorial
School, St. Clements Barrackpore and also as a Civil Servant
attached to the San Fernando Magistrate's Court.
Professional Career:
1956-1957 - Legal Adviser, Oilfield Workers' Trade Union
1965 - Attorney at Law (Private Practice)
1973-1995 - President General, All Trinidad Sugar and General
Workers' Trade Union
1975-1995 - President General, Sugar Industry Staff Association
1975 - Legal Adviser to the Association of Technical,
Administrative and Supervisory Staff.
Political Career:
1976: Founder an Political Leader of the United Labour Front
(ULF);
1976: Member of Parliament, Couva North (ULF);
1981-1986: Leader of the Opposition (ULF);
1986: The United Labour Front (ULF) merged into the National
Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) with the Democratic Action
Congress (DAC) and Tapia House Movement;
1986-1988: Minister of External Affairs and International Trade,
Member of Parliament Couva North (NAR);
1988: resigned from the National Alliance for Reconstruction and
launched a new party Club '88, this new party became the United
National Congress;
1989-date: Political Leader of the United National Congress (UNC);
1990-1995: Leader of the Opposition (UNC);
1995: Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad an Tobago on
9th Nov, 1995.
Awards:
1995: Express Individual of the Year (Daily Express; Trinidad
and Tobago)
1997: Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from Benaras Hindu
University, India.
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