Hinds fears PNM can lose in a snap election

Former PNM cabinet minister Fitzgerald Hinds is worried that his party could lose an election if a vote is held now.

The former MP for Laventille believes that the party is weakened by events that have taken place since the last general election and that there is enough cause for worry.

There is speculation that Prime Minister Patrick Manning will call and election on April 9. That's the day that the opposition plans to debate a no-confidence motion in Manning. Sources have suggested that the prime minister will pre-empt the debate by calling an early election.

A general election is not due until 2012, but Manning has the prerogative to ask the president to dissolve the Parliament at any time to allow the governing party to seek a fresh mandate.

The Manning administration has been under extreme pressure over its handling of the economy, its failure to effectively deal with crime and what opposition and other critics say is the worst level of corruption ever seen in the country.

In addition, Manning is facing a revolt from some members of his party.

Hinds is one of the top PNM members Manning kicked out in 2007 although he was the favoured candidate for his constituency. The others who suffered the same fate were Ken Valley and Eddie Hart.

Last year, Manning also got rid of senior cabinet minister Keith Rowley who had complained about what he perceived as irregularities at UDeCOTT, the state agency that had been handling billions of dollars in government building projects.

The allegations of mismanagement and corruption led to the Uff commission of inquiry. Manning and his party have been wounded politically but the PNM leader appears determined to do things his way.

Speaking with reporters, Hinds said if Manning decides to call an election the party would be taking a great risk.

He is basing that on the state of the party today. Hinds believes that the PNM is not on as strong a footing as it was in 2007 and this is the root of the problem.

Hinds said the party will stand or fall on its record "but in my heart, deep within my Caribbean PNM belly, I have some fears."

Referring to a recent government sponsored poll, he said the fact that it shows the government as having only 20 per cent support is worrisome.

"I am not getting the mood among my colleagues in the party that the excitement that would normally go with such an announcement (of screening of candidates) is present and there are a number of other reasons why I have some fears," Hinds stated.

Hinds explained he is not frightened about any accommodation between the UNC and COP. However he said if the two parties are going to cooperate that would change the political equation and make it more difficult for a PNM victory.

In the Nov. 2007 general election, the PNM faced two strong opposition parties, the infant COP and the UNC Alliance. The combined opposition got more than 54 per cent of the popular vote but the PNM, with just around 46 per cent of the vote, won a strong majority of 26 seats in the 41-member House of Representatives.

That is why Hinds is worried about an election that could see the opposition working together instead of splitting their vote.

"It changes the political equation from Nov 2007 and I have to ask myself as a party member who wants to see the PNM succeed, whether we are stronger now politically than we were in Nov 2007," Hinds said.