IT was a party before the party at the UNC's Toco/Sangre Grande head office on April 28 as Wayne Sturge, the candidate for the constituency, and exuberant supporters danced and celebrated the UNC's resounding victory in the general election.

Almost 30 minutes later, data from outstanding polling stations ignited even more festivities.

"Declare it," attorney Gerald Ramdeen, former UNC senator and friend of Sturge, shouted, as it became clearer that the party had snatched the constituency from the PNM's Roger Monroe.