PNM again hints at early elections

DECLARING that Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday had virtually ended the UNC’s chances of ever regaining government in Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Patrick Manning and PNM chairman Franklin Khan again raised the spectre of early general elections when the PNM bandwagon rolled into Tunapuna on Friday night. Manning once again slammed Panday for telling Pointe-a-Pierre MP Gillian Lucky that “politics had a morality of its own” and claimed it was unlikely in the wake of that remark that the UNC could ever regain political power in TT.

The Prime Minister said there must always be “a dimension of selfless service” and this is something that he has scrupulously adhered to during his 34 years in public life. Manning said Panday’s recent utterances made it clear to him why the UNC could never be consistent in its policies in government or Opposition, politics must not be viewed as “a self-serving past-time” and persons without integrity were not welcomed in the PNM. Declaring that the PNM had no such problems, Manning challenged the UNC to show that it could emulate the PNM which endured the political wilderness on two occasions before returning to Government.

The Prime Minister added that the PNM would ensure that constitutional arrangements are in place to ensure there is harmony amongst all the people of TT. Khan said PNM’s foot soldiers were ready for battle whenever the Prime Minister announces the date for General Elections and expressed confidence that the party would gain “sufficient seats” in the House of Representatives that would allow it to make meaningful changes as a government. The Elections and Boundaries Commission Draft Order 2005, which is proposing to increase the number of constituencies in TT from 36 to 41, will be debated in the House of Representatives on Wednes-day. Khan expressed confidence that there would be no such thing as a marginal seat come the next General Election.