THE internal conflict within the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) San Fernando East constituency continued to brew as the constituency’s executive disregarded a warning from the leadership against public exchanges and responded to its Member of Parliament, Brian Manning, yesterday.Manning took to his Facebook page on Wednesday, where he aired some of his concerns regarding the constituency’s executive and its chairman, Patricia Alexis.
CHAIRMAN: Patricia Alexis
Following Manning’s post, PNM chairman Marvin Gonzales issued a statement via the party’s Facebook page on Thursday, warning members against engaging in public spats with each other.
‘NO PUBLIC SPATS’: Marvin Gonzales
Gonzales stated that the issues raised by Manning concerning Alexis were being addressed by the party’s leadership.However, despite Gonzales’ attempt to quell the issue between Manning and Alexis, the constituency’s executive issued a public statement on Thursday evening, giving its take on the matter.Stating that it usually refrains from public discussion on internal matters, which it left to the internal structures of the PNM, it said it was moved to comment via Facebook, adding that Manning’s decision to name an executive officer, repeat damaging allegations and invite a public trial of matters already before the party’s leadership required a firm response.Rejecting any suggestion that it feared transparency or accountability, the executive said its chairman, Patricia Alexis, had exercised restraint, submitted herself to the party’s processes and allowed the party’s leadership to conduct its investigations without attempting to influence the outcome through the media.“The party has confirmed that an investigative team was appointed with approved terms of reference; that it met with Mr Manning, Mrs Alexis and witnesses representing both sides; and that a comprehensive report containing findings and recommendations was submitted to the leadership and General Council. The party has further confirmed that action is being taken on those recommendations,” the executive said in its statement.It accused Manning of wanting a process designed according to his own conditions and said “personal preference is not proof of unfairness.”“He cannot demand due process while publicly undermining that process because it is not proceeding exclusively on his terms.”It further accused Manning of recycling political allegations previously advanced by the United National Congress, none of which had been established by any finding placed in the public domain, and using them to call the integrity of a fellow PNM member into question.“That is dangerous and profoundly irresponsible. A disclaimer cannot erase the reputational damage caused by calculated innuendo.”It reminded that in November 2024, the majority of party groups and the executive endorsed Manning to contest the 2025 general election.“The same executive whose support was welcomed when it secured his nomination cannot suddenly become untrustworthy because it refuses to surrender its independence,” it said. “In 2020, the PNM secured San Fernando East by a majority of 5,173 votes. In 2025, that majority collapsed to only 673 votes following a recount.”While the executive acknowledged that the state of the political environment may have contributed to the decline, it advised Manning to examine his own representation, political leadership and ability to retain public confidence.“A leader confronted by that level of electoral decline should begin with introspection and not scapegoating the volunteers and officers who helped him retain his seat,” it stated.Noting that the MP called for democracy, the executive questioned: “Why does he appear so fearful of allowing the democratic processes of the Party and the judgment of the membership to take their course?“Is the real concern that, without the support of the current executive he now attacks, his own political standing may be considerably less secure than he wishes to admit?”It emphasised that democracy does not mean accepting a process only when one controls its terms or is assured of its outcome.The executive said: “The late honourable Patrick Manning’s legacy was earned through discipline, service, accessibility and performance. That legacy cannot be reduced to a surname, nor can it be used as a shield against accountability. Heritage is not a substitute for leadership.”The executive said it does not claim infallibility and does not seek to protect anyone from legitimate investigation, adding that it has been co-operative with the party’s leadership and pledged that it would continue to respect its processes.“What we will not accept, is the use of mischievous political allegations to discredit our members or divert attention from failures of representation and leadership.”It added: “San Fernando East is greater than any one officeholder, personality or surname. Our responsibility remains service to the people, loyalty to the Party and respect for the democratic institutions upon which the People’s National Movement was built.”
