Manning won't debate Kamla, says he has nothing to gain

Patrick Manning is not interested in a debate debate with Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The leader of the People's National Movement told reporters he has nothing to gain from such an encounter. Manning made the comment while touring his San Fernando East constituency.

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has launch a Debates Commission and invited Manning and the leader of the United National Congress (UNC) to debate critical national issues on May 18, six days ahead of then election.

In backing away from the debate Manning said his preference is to walk among the people to spread his message.

"You all need to check and see what the implications of these debates are. Our political judgment is that we may do it, but not now," he told reporters. "The PNM, instead of doing these debates, prefers to do as we are doing and walk around as we are walking around now."

Manning explained that his reluctance to debate Persad-Bissessar has "nothing to do with the answers you give or any such thing." He added, "What do I have to gain by doing a debate with Mrs Persad-Bissessar? Nothing to gain by that."

Persad-Bissessar is a strong debater and would likely gain more from a debate with manning. In the January 24 internal election for her party's leadership she agreed to a three-way debate with her opponents Basdeo Panday and Ramesh L. Maharaj but both of them backed away.