NO POLITICS FOR BRIAN MANNING

Brian, 31, an information systems management graduate, played a major part in reorganising the party’s website and after his speech, Manning congratulated him for his “maiden contribution in a forum such as this.” He joked that he told his son depending on how he spoke, he would be able to come home, but said he did the Manning name proud.

However, Brian, who served as a business analyst at the Inter-American Development Bank, and is now employed in a similar capacity at Neal & Massy, emphasised that he was no politician. In response to a question posed by Newsday, he said, “I can assure you I am 100 percent certain that I am not interested in any kind of political office.

“I don’t think it’s the best way for me to contribute to TT. I am more of a business person, an entrepreneur. That’s my passion. And that’s where I am going to be. I am not a politician.”

Brian, who reorganised the website, www.pnm.org.tt, as a member of the PNM’s public relations committee, said it has now been completely upgraded. He said the website, which came into being many years ago, has been redesigned and geared towards information dissemination and has four main objectives.

“We hope to bring the general public closer to the decision-makers by providing a space for discussion on fundamental issues affecting their lives, to foster greater citizen participation and inclusion in the party governance process, to disseminate official information on the policies and activities of the PNM, and to keep citizens informed on the development plans for TT, thereby initiating debate and raising awareness,” Brian said.

He said the content-rich website includes a history of the PNM, a copy of the party’s most recent manifesto, their Vision 2020 Plan and press releases.

He said several user-friendly applications include discussion fora, where registered members can post their thoughts on a myraid of issues, and discuss them with others.

And the PNM’s electronic newspaper, Magnum, and the post-Cabinet conference, live, are also available on the PNM’s website.