Manning's delegates knock down resolution for one-member, one-vote in PNM

Supporters welcome PNM leader Keith Rowley to the party's 43rd Annual Convention

The People's National Movement failed on Sunday to get delegates at its convention to approve a resolution to change the party's constitution to allow a one-member, one vote system to elect its executive.

Party leader Keith Rowley supported the change but the executive of the San Fernando East constituency of former PM and political leader of the PNM Patrick Manning shut down the resolution claiming that if that happens drug lords would take over the party.

Rowley had argued that the party would be stronger with such a system, which other national parties use to elect their executives, including their political leaders.

Jennifer Baptiste-Primus presented the resolution on behalf of the Couva South constituency, seeking to appoint a constitutional reform committee to consider the implementation of the system and submit a report in three months time. Leslie Lynch of San Fernando East objected.

"We of San Fernando East believe that in a matter as fundamental as this, that the party groups be given an opportunity to discuss the pros and cons, deliberate and pass it back for you," Lynch said, arguing that in such a system a drug lord would be able to get his preferred candidate appointed by buying the votes of thousands of members.

Baptiste-Primus disagreed. "I want to assure Mr Lynch that the intention of this resolution is not only for the membership on the ground to have opportunity to be heard but that every single member of this party must have the right to say who they want to serve them just as we as citizens of this country have the right every five years to determine the Government," she responded.

She was passionate about the plan and suggested that unless the PNM accepted such a system it would never return to government. She called the comment from Lynch "sheer emotionalism".

In the end the convention agreed that the resolution would not go forward. Instead a committee would ensure there is wider consensus and consultation on the matter before it is presented back to the Central Executive.

Manning did not attend the convention. However his delegates followed his advise and did not take part in the voting for the new executive.