Patrick Manning is leaving the opulent Prime Minister's residence that cost more than $148 million and returning to his modest home in Sumadh Gardens, in South Trinidad. He will continue to have 24/7 security, but will lose the security detail that guarded him while he was in office.
Manning met with officials of his People's National Movement (PNM) Tuesday and advised that he is willing to step down as political leader but will hold on to the position until the party elects a successor.
That may take some time so it means that Manning will return to the opposition benches with his other 11 MPs when the 10th Parliament convenes. And he will have the right to appoint six Senators.
Some party insiders believe that Manning should step down immediately since he no longer has the moral authority to the lead the PNM.
When the PNM lost the 1986 general election 33-3 George Chambers resigned immediately as leader and Manning took over the leadership and became opposition leader.
The PNM general council is expected to meet on Thursday to discuss Manning's future and the party's post-election plans. Until then the party is not making a public statement on what happens next.
Former Government House leader Colm Imbert told the Trinidad Express the party leadership would have to make a decision together with Manning.
"All the organs of the party would have to make a decision...together with Mr Manning to determine what his plans are and take it from there. Certainly nobody is going to be harassing him - at least I don’t think so - in the near future. I think whatever decision occurs would be entirely up to him," he told the paper.
Imbert said he found the swing in safe seats "strange". He added, "It doesn’t make any sense. If there was a swing it occurred in the last three days. And I am not prepared to say there was a swing. I am just very surprised by the results."
2 comments:
George Chambers lost his seat and so resignation as Political leader was automatic whereupon Manning succeeded him. This time around Manning has retained his seat and from the robust response of his supporters at his constituency he still has base support. This may well prompt them to lobby him to remain as MP. He is reputed to have agood reputation as an MP who saw his constituents every Thursday..
Good point Ronald, I think it is appropriate for Manning to maintain leadership until a proper leadership convention is held. His constituents obviously like him enough to have elected him every election for decades on end. The leadership seekers in the PNM can't argue that he has the same credibility as Chambers because as you said, he kept his seat while Chambers lost his. It's a pretty hard stretch to justify holding onto party-leadership when you lose your own seat. Leaving immediately without a new leader is inadvisable. It is in the country's interest to have a strong Opposition voice in the parliament at all times
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