PM Manning: PNM and UNC merging for TT

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning revealed that PNM Government Ministers have been bringing UNC stronghold constituencies “into the fold” since October 2002. Addressing thousands of supporters at yesterday’s PNM victory rally in Mayaro, the Prime Minister declared: “It must be our mission to attract to our fold, all the people of Trinidad and Tobago now. We are on a good road and if are able to keep that course, and to move only in the direction of integration then for TT the sky is the limit.” He then disclosed that PNM’s gains in UNC territory in the July 14 Local Government Elections were no overnight phenomenon. “Since the general elections (of October 2002) we have also allocated a Member of Parliament, a member of the Cabinet where necessary, where possible, to oversee each constituency in which there is not a PNM representative. We now have a PNM MP, Cabinet Minister in many instances, overseeing constituencies. Couva North, Couva South, Caroni East, Nariva. Our objective is to bring everybody into the fold and maximise the rate of development of our country,” Manning said.

The Prime Minister also said the PNM’s campaign “on a platform of multi-racialism” caused “significant sections” of the Indo-Trinidadian community to support the PNM in the July 14 polls. Manning gave the assurance that PNM Central and Local Government representatives “have the political will, the determination and are ready, willing and able to deliver what we said to you that we will provide if given the opportunity.” The Prime Minister told newly-elected PNM mayors, chairmen and councillors  “this success does not make you masters but chief servants of the people who elected you.” “Your attitude must be one of service and gratitude for the opportunity that they are putting in your care,” he advised them. Manning told PNM supporters there must be no gloating or recrimination in the aftermath of the elections. “On this occasion, the fifth election in five years, the people of TT have adjudged you right but it is never good enough to just be right. When you are right you have to also be generous,” he said.