Thursday, May 26, 2011

Manning begins walk to San Fernando

Former prime minister Patrick Manning started his seven-day walk from Port of Spain to San Fernando on Wednesday afternoon accompanied by a few followers, including his wife, Hazel.

His first day ended at the Croisee in San Juan from where he begins the next phase on Thursday.

His protest is to highlight what he says is his unfair suspension from Parliament.

He told reporters, "I have been suspended from the service of the people of Trinidad and Tobago at the level of the Parliament...It has been done in a manner that is inconsistent with the principles of natural justice, it has been done in a manner that is contrary to the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago."

Before setting off, he said his walk is not about him. "What you have seen happening in the Parliament, which is a very blatant case, has been happening to other citizens all over the country," he said.

He added that citizens "have been seeking some kind of voice" to articulate their concerns and "this situation has given us the opportunity to do so on their behalf."

The former prime minister said his walk is on behalf of CEPEP and URP workers who have lost their jobs as well as distressed CLICO depositors and farmers whose crops were destroyed on Easter Monday.

Former Manning cabinet members Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, Gary Hunt and Mustapha Abdul-Hamid were there for the start of the journey as well as former PNM senator Laurel Lezama, former MP Ralph Maraj and Manning's son Brian.

Manning is not getting support from his party, the People's National Movement (PNM). The long walk was approved by his San Fernando East constituency. However, party officials have said this is not something that was discussed or approved at the national level.
Opposition MP Alicia Hospedales is the only sitting MP to join Manning in his walk. Other MPs, including opposition leader and PNM leader Keith Rowley, are not part of the public protest although Manning has said the PNM Parliamentary caucus supports him.

Reporters asked Manning whether there is a division in the party he once led. "I am not the political leader," he said, adding: "Let the political leader answer that. There is no division. I don't expect Dr Rowley to be here. This is a member of parliament talking a walk. The political leaders doesn't have to be here."

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai