PNM gets 600 new members

UNLIKE other political parties which are governed almost entirely on the dictates of their leaders, the strength of the People’s National Movement, (PNM) lies in its “structure and internal processes,” Prime Minister Patrick Manning declared on Saturday night as he welcomed some 600 new members into the ruling party’s San Fernando East constituency. The gala at Palm’s Club, San Fernando on Saturday evening, which had the theme, “A single light becomes a flame,” saw inductees receiving lighted red candles and a bronze medallion from party officials. Manning, MP for the area, said the party’s internal processes ensured democracy was maintained at all levels. “At all stages you have people representing people.

The internal processes are clearly outlined in the party’s constitution and the internal processes have ensured democracy within the party and have ensured that some of the worst transgressions that take place in other political parties cannot and will not happen in the People’s National Movement,” he declared. He recalled that prior to another party’s internal elections, a certain political leader “came off an aircraft and said ministers, who in the past were not allowed to contest elections within the party, were now able to do that.” “No political leader of the PNM has the authority to do that,” he said “There are checks and balances within the party structure that ensures the leaders of the party are accountable to somebody.”

Manning added: “The PNM is a democratic organisation built on the principles of democracy. The PNM is as democratic today as it was in 1956 when it was founded as a political party.” He said the party was also founded on interracial solidarity and integrity in public affairs. Referring to an investigation into alleged impropriety into a sitting PNM minister, the Prime Minister said: “The leadership of the PNM today is determined to ensure and to demonstrate to party members and the national community that we subscribe to the highest standards of integrity in the conduct of our political affairs.”