The move by former prime minister Patrick Manning to bow out of politics at the end of this parliamentary term could provide a stronger base for the People's National Movement. Political analyst Dr Indira Rampersad was commenting on Manning's admittance that he was not perfect and that he will exit politics. At a news conference at the San Fernando East Constituency office on Friday, Manning owned up to making mistakes during his 40 years in politics and even apologised to those whom he hurt or disenfranchised along the way. Questioned whether this was a ploy by Manning, Rampersad said: "I don't think it is a political ploy to make a comeback. This is my assessment, judging from the tone, demeanour and contents of his speech."
Should Manning try to return to the PNM, Rampersad said, it would only divide the party further. "It will not augur well for the PNM. This is the end for Manning. This is too much of Mr Panday's syndrome. Whether that would work for Manning, Rampersad said she was not sure since the wounds had been deep and a lot of PNM supporters still blamed him for the party's loss in the 2010 general election. Rampersad said while Manning had revealed he would bow out of politics, his wife Hazel could be a potential successor for the San Fernando East seat. "She has been in active politics so that is a possibility." Asked if Rowley had the political acumen to take the party forward, Rampersad said: "I am disappointed in what he has not done to date. He has a golden opportunity but needs to broad base the party to unify the people to get them to gravitate towards the PNM."
Ragoonath: That's not good enough
Political scientist Dr Bishnu Ragoonath said for months Manning had not represented his constituents nor attended PNM General Council meetings, which raised some issues. "This was a disrespect to the leader." Ragoonath said Manning's apology and defence to the nation was "not good enough," since there were a lot of unanswered questions. "This is something that has to be analysed carefully. One has to ask what is his motive? Which is what I can't say."
Meanwhile, Port-of-Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing has urged the population to forgive Manning. Speaking on i95.5 FM, Lee Sing said: "In taking the action he took, he affected the lives of so many thousands of Trinidadians. I don't even believe he understood the impact of what I consider to be a rather reckless decision to call an election at two years and four months into a term. "I urge the population to forgive him, but we must never forget what he has done because we are likely to make the same mistakes if we forget." Contacted for a comment yesterday, Rowley said: "I really did not hear his speech so I cannot comment."