People’s National Movement Port-of-Spain South nominee Louis Lee Sing says it would be unthinkable for anyone to ask him to support or assist incumbent Marlene McDonald if PNM’s screening team chooses her. Lee Sing, former Port-of-Spain Mayor, is one of three nominees being screened for that seat Wednesday at Balisier House. He spoke to the Guardian after the constituency’s executive met last Wednesday and agreed to back McDonald for the candidacy.
PNM Chair for Port-of-Spain South Jean Elder confirmed this. “Port-of-Spain South supports Marlene McDonald. She’s the person whom the executive will recommend to the screening team on Wednesday.” Elder declined, last week, to comment on the prospects of Lee Sing and radio show host Isha Wells, another nominee. Lee Sing is claiming that the meeting of the executive was flawed.
“I’m reliably informed the incumbent was at the meeting the executive held last Wednesday to decide on who they’d recommend. That’s highly unacceptable and runs in the face of any democratic process and a level playing field,” Lee Sing said. “I am however still awaitng list of party group chairmen and secretaries which I requested from the constituency executive since October 21 and it’s now a couple days before screening.”
Lee Sing said it was important for PNM to be cohesive since the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) had also targeted POS South. McDonald didn’t answer calls yesterday.
Confusion over San Fernando East
Lee Sing was concerned at his party’s handling of the San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning, a former prime minister. Manning said last week he would consider contesting the seat in the 2015 general election. The announcement came as a surprise to many as Manning has had major and prolonged health issues. “I heard people asking what Mr Manning wants. I think he wants proper succession in San Fernando East and it’s not too much to ask, Lee Sing said.
“Mr Manning needs to be treated as the special person he has earned the place to be. You can’t treat with him as you would everyone else.” San Fernando East public relations officer Anthony Clarke said Manning was awaiting a reply from political leader Keith Rowley to a letter suggesting that he and Rowley hold talks. However, PNM general secretary Ashton Ford said he was awaiting a reply from Manning on his November 26 invitation for Manning to meet party’s national executive on Wednesday.
Ford said Manning hadn’t replied. “The invitation was issued on behalf of the leader and executive but I don’t know if he’s coming. We merely invited him to a meeting. We’re at a loss why he released the letter publicly,” he said. “When the general secretary writes him to come and meet the national executive, that must be like a red flag before a bull,” Lee Sing said.
“If I was leader I’d seek to meet Mr Manning one on one, perhaps with the general secretary. But to ask him to meet the entire national executive is not only unreasonable but also suggests indiscretion on the part of those requesting the meeting. When they did that, what did they expect of Manning?” He added, “I hope the leadership will return to the drawing board and find the best way to address San Fernando East, because San Fernando East ain’t Port-of-Spain South.
Ford said Rowley was due home yesterday. Asked if Rowley would respond to Manning today, Ford said Rowley would have to speak on that. He said San Fernando East has asked the party to postpone nomination submission, due today.
Clarke said there was no urgent need to nominate candidates.