Patrick Manning is changing his position. He told his party's faithful in Tobago last week the post of executive president "hold no attraction for me". He had no interest in the job, he said.
But it seems he is ready to change his mind. Now the prime minister is saying he would run if that's what the people want.
"If the people want me, I will be prepared to serve". But he said all that is subject to whether he is around. Manning didn't say whether he plans to retire or was suggesting that he might be voted out of office.
He has said on many occasions that he has no intention of staying in politics forever and that he would turn to preaching as an alternative vocation.
Commenting on the contistuional issue he admitted that his party does not have to parliamentary majority that is needed to pass a new constitution.
"We will need a special majority which we do not have now, and in any event it is unlikely that those now serving will benefit from the changes. Those who come after will be the beneficiary," Manning told reporters during a walkabout in his San Fernando East constituency.
He insisted that his mission was to meet and talk with constituents and dismissed the idea that it was in preparation for an election, which is not constitutionally due until 2012.
He again promised not to postpone local government elections but at the same time said he is still waiting on a report from the committee looking into changes to the system.
"Legislation for changes in the local government structure is now before a select committee of Parliament and a report is expected at the end of October. Then we will call the elections on time before the expiration of July 13, which is the deadline," he said.
Reporters asked why he was walking in his own constituency, which is friendly PNM territory, with an extra heavy security details. He said it is necessary because "there are a lot of opposition forces out there."
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