"Gospel of the PNM" at PNM meetings: Manning

Patrick Manning told supporters in Sangre Grande Friday his government has managed the Trinidad and Tobago economy well and cut unemployment to single digits.

The leader of the People's National Movement (PNM) said when he first took over government back in 1991 unemployment was 20 per cent. He said in his current term he has brought it down to five per cent, which he said means there is full employment.

He said in 2009 it was at the lowest ever at minus 3.9 per cent and currently stands at 5.2 per cent.

"This is proof that my government has manage the economy of T&T well...Youths today are blessed," Manning stated.

He said young people never had it so good and boasted that no other government has done so much for the youths of the nation.

He told the large crowd, "When you come to a PNM meeting you come to be entertained, and educated according to the gospel of the PNM."

Marlene Mc Donald said the opposition is a "back-stabbing" bunch of vipers who are trying to destroy their leaders. "We however, surround and support our leader," she said.

McDonald told young first time voters they must not squander their privilege and vote for the opposition. "Do not give away your vote because you cannot trust your vote to the opposition coalition who does not even trust each other. Tell opposition you not ready for marriage with them."

Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira said people must have a mate who is "reliable, who is stable, who shows love, and is faithful to you, through the good times and the bad times. You want a mate who is not only saying it but showing it. That is man to have. So what to do on May 24? Show love. It is a love thing, so vote PNM."

She accused the opposition of telling lies when it says the the PNM does not care for the citizens. She said the Manning government has spent much more on subsidies and transfers that the UNC administration.

And she supported her leader's boast, saying the country's economy is "rock solid, strong, robust, vibrant and healthy. So do not believe when they come and tell you that the PNM has mismanaged the country."