"PNM is going for its biggest victory in its history": Manning

Patrick Manning promised a job for "every man, woman and child" who wants it when he returns to office.

Speaking at the rally to end the People's National Movement (PNM) campaign for Monday's election Manning also stood firm on his much criticised plan to build a smelter.

The opposition has pledged to scrap the idea, saying it is a threat to the environment and a danger to the lives of the people living in the area in south Trinidad where he plans to built the smelter.

The PNM leader also promised to bring in foreign help for development projects, which include six new highways.

He urged supporters to reject the UNC Coalition know, saying they have nothing to offfer.

He told traditional UNC supporters, "the time has come for you to take a dispassionate look at what lies before you. What do you know about Daaga, McLeod, Warner? he asked.

He said the opposition has thrown "their best" at him and "And look at me, I am still standing!"

Manning added, "We are asking the people of T&T to give us the opportunity to serve you for five more years… on the basis of the record of our performance," adding that the PNM is more experienced than the opposition.

Manning said the opposition has no policy on a smelter or alternative sources of energy, noting that it is possible to have a smelter without environment consequences.

He said the coalition has no plan and no vision. "Therefore when they reach and they have to decide on anything…it is going to be argument and who can talk the loudest, who can argue the most is going to prevail."

Manning again claimed Daaga desecrated the Port of Spain and San Fernando cathedrals, a charge that the Roman Catholic church has dismissed as untrue.

And he attacked Pointe-a-Pierre candidate Errol McLeod for suggesting a minimum wage. Mc Leod and the People's partnership have promised to look into establish a higher minimum wage but Manning said that would destabilise businesses.

He said what he is afraid of most is that Jack Warner might become the finance minister.

He boasted that the crowd at his rally at the Eddie Hart ground was the biggest he has ever seen and twice as large as the one at the People's Partnership rally.

He had no figures, but said: “I just cannot believe what I am seeing ahead of me. What it tells you is that the PNM is going for its biggest victory in its history.”

The PNM's biggest win ever was in 1971 when the opposition mounted a no-vote campaign and did not contest any seats. The PNM won all 36 seats in the House of Representatives. Manning won unopposed.