...constituents concerned about former prime minister’s health

Manning had a malignant tumour removed from his left kidney in Cuba in 2008 and had heart surgery, also in Cuba, in 1998. Manning suffered a stroke on January 23, 2012, which paralysed his right side and affected his speech. He was granted leave from Parliament in 2012 and 2013, having sought medical attention in Cuba and at the Walter Reed Hospital, Washington DC, USA.

He has signalled his intention to seek possible nomination by the party for next year’s election should his health improve.

Concern over his health was uppermost in the minds of constituents when Sunday Newsday visited the San Fernando East constituency, with Cocoyea resident, Carlton Parryman, saying Manning’s health was of paramount importance to his constituents.

“He has served the people well and for a long time, but I believe his health is the main factor which he should look at before getting back into the politics. He has to remember that politics is not an easy thing. It have a lot of ups and downs so he has to be in good health before he even thinks about coming back inside,” Parryman said.

Asked whether the PNM had treated Manning well, Parryman laughed before declining comment. “Boy, let me not talk about that yes,” Parryman chuckled.

Meanwhile, vendor Anna Marie Jerome, when asked whether Manning should seek re-election, said, “I am all for that because when he was there, everybody was getting something.” However, she too tempered her remarks by saying that his health would play a major role in whether he should return to Parliament.

“He should think about his health now because he is not getting younger and he should really focus on that,” she said. Jerome was however more outspoken when asked about the party’s support for Manning, saying he should have been treated as an elder statesman. “I find the party should have treated him better because he is an elder, and he would have lots of advice on how to take the party forward,” she said.