"An expression of anti-Manning sentiment." That was former works minister Colm Imbert's response to the People's National Movement crushing defeat by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's People's Partnership on May 24. The People's Partnership got 29 seats, while the PNM got 12. Imbert retained the Diego Martin North East seat with 9,349 votes over Congress of the People's Garvin Nicholas who got 8,077. During a telephone interview yesterday, Imbert said: "I think it's a combination of factors...There was an anti-Manning sentiment and I was much too close to the centre of Government to see it really. "It is difficult to understand the anti- Manning sentiment but it was there," he said. "There was the sentiment we were in Government for too long. When you around too long, people decide it's time to give someone else a chance. The longer you are in government, the more people you cross-thread.
He said it got even more challenging to cater to the needs of everyone. "You can't please everybody. You can't get everything done so you end up people feeling a certain way. Some would say they didn't get a contract. Some would say they didn't get their share since we have been in Government too long," Imbert said. He maintained the "anti -Manning sentiment was a major factor in it all." Quizzed on whether issues like the Calder Hart/Udecott fiasco, summits, the $30 million church at the Heights of Guanapo contributed to the PNM's downfall, he said: "The issues are out there. I am not commenting on them. All I am prepared to say is the anti-Manning sentiment..." he said. "The UNC (Partnership) didn't win. The PNM lost because there was a campaign against the PNM."
"I don't feel good about it (the defeat). The PNM did a lot. We had the fast ferries, CDAP, Gate, water taxis. The PNM did a tremendous amount of work. How do you expect my colleagues to feel?" Imbert also registered his anger at the manner in which Manning was treated a Balisier House last week. "I was upset at what took place at Balisier House," he said. "Manning should have been thanked for his tremendous contribution to the PNM. "That was not a good day for the PNM. I hope those people would realise what they did was wrong and it was just the passion. "That's not the PNM I know. It was horrible and it is terrible. In no way, I could associate myself with that," Imbert said. He said instead of clawing into Manning, "They should have wished all success in his future endeavours...It was not a good day for the PNM."
On the advice he would impart to Manning, he said he didn't want him (Manning) to resign his seat as MP for San Fernando East. But he advised him to take a vacation. Imbert said: "Take a vacation. He deserves it. I have never seen Manning take a vacation. He is the consummate workaholic. He needs to take a rest." He said Manning did not wish to assume any leadership role in the party again. While Diego Martin West MP Keith Rowley has been given the post of interim Opposition Leader, Imbert said he was "putting his hat in the ring." Imbert admitted to finding it "passing strange" that Manning called the election before it was constitutionally due in 2012. "I don't know why. In 2007, he went the distance one month beyond the five years.
Once Parliament convenes on June 12, he said his intention was to "rebuild the party and broaden its base and to reach out to every sector of the society." Imbert said his colleagues were supportive of him. "They have to make a choice between Rowley and I," he added.