THERE IS A CLEAR stalemate between People’s National Movement (PNM) leader Dr Keith Rowley and his predecessor, Patrick Manning, on the San Fernando East candidacy.
On Wednesday, San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning did not show up to meet with the PNM executive at Balisier House (at the executive’s request). And yesterday PNM leader Keith Rowley failed to meet with Manning at the Parliament chamber (at Manning’s request).
Manning yesterday released a second letter which he has written to Rowley, noting he had “not been able to receive a reply following his correspondence” to him on November 26, 2014.
That letter responded to a letter from the party general secretary Ashton Ford inviting him to a meeting with the party’s executive. Manning suggested he was being “hauled” before the party’s executive and disciplinary action was being contemplated against him. He suggested a one-on-one meeting with Rowley instead.
Manning’s second letter, dated December 3, repeated his request for a meeting between himself and Rowley and suggested yesterday as the date for that meeting, which he wanted to take place at the Parliament Chamber.
“Our meeting should last no longer than five minutes. At that time I shall give you a proposal that I am sure can resolve the issue,” Manning stated. He noted “this matter can be easily resolved”.
Declaring he has always had the best interest of the PNM at heart and will do his part to ensure it continues to prevail, Manning said he was looking forward to seeing Rowley in the Parliament Chamber.
Rowley was in Parliament at the start of the proceedings. When asked by the media whether he was going to meet Manning at the chamber, he said, written response:
“I assume that you refer to the communication between the PNM general secretary and Patrick Manning MP. There was an invitation to Mr Manning to meet at party headquarters with the national executive at its meeting which took place last Wednesday.
“Mr Manning ignored that invitation and thus the national executive was unable to benefit from his presence.
“Any meeting between me, in my capacity as political leader, Opposition Leader or parliamentary representative and Mr Manning at Parliament is not and could never be a substitute for the request of the general secretary (for a meeting) at Balisier House.
“The national executive of the PNM will continue to steadfastly conduct the party’s business within the letter and spirit of the constitution of the party which governs the rights, privileges and responsibilities of every member of the movement,” Rowley stated.
Manning had stated at a constituency meeting on November 24 he was considering offering himself as a candidate for the PNM in the next general election, once his health permits and the constituency is willing to support him.
Manning, who has challenges with his mobility and his speech following a major stroke in 2011 has represented San Fernando East for 43 years. (Express)
