(Trinidad Express) Two days after Prime Minister Patrick Manning announced in Tobago that he had no desire to become the nation’s executive president, as proposed in the draft constitution, he has made an about turn by indicating “if the people want me, I will be prepared to serve”.
Manning told party supporters at a political meeting that the position held no special interest for him, but there are many people who feel that the reason why an executive president is in the draft constitution is because he (Manning) wants to be the first executive president.
“If the electorate wants me I will accept, that is if I am around.” he said during a tour of his San Fernando East constituency on Monday.
He pointed out that in order to pass the necessary legislation to effect the constitutional changes “we will need a special majority which we do not have now, and in any event it is unlikely that those now serving will benefit from the changes. Those who come after will be the beneficiary,” Manning said.
He pointed out that the proposals are not for the benefit of himself.
“We make them because we feel that at the end of the day it will lead to a better structure of governance,” he said.
Manning was on a walkabout in his constituency, when he spoke to the media on a wide range of topics including local government elections. He said local government elections will be held early next year and there will be no postponement of the elections.
The elections have been postponed on three separate occasions to allow for new legislation seeking to reform the process of local government governance get approval.
“Legislation for changes in the local government structure is now before a select committee of Parliament and a report is expected at the end of October.
“Then we will call the elections on time before the expiration of July 13, which is the deadline.”
Manning said he expects to return to Cuba for a medical check-up before the meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government scheduled for November 27-29.
“ I should have gone before but I kept postponing it,” Manning said. Manning underwent surgery last December to remove a cancerous kidney in Cuba.
Manning was accompanied by an unusual number of armed security officers as he walked through Pleasantville.
Asked what is the reason for such tight security he said, “Security arrangements have been stepped up for the Prime Minister because there are a lot of opposition forces out there.”
