Did PM move to pre-empt no-confidence motion?
Midnight dissolution of Parliament clears way for General Election
So When’s Election
BUCKLING under mounting pressure against his administration, Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday advised President George Maxwell Richards to dissolve the ninth Parliament, one day before an Opposition motion of no-confidence was scheduled to be debated in Parliament.
Kamla: PM is coward
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar says Prime Minister is a coward. She said his decision to dissolve the Parliament two years ahead of its time was an admission of the colossal failure of his PNM administration and challenged him to name the date of the election.
PM’s move an act of cowardice, says Kamla
Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s move to dissolve Parliament and not face a motion of no confidence in him was an act of cowardice, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday. Persad-Bissessar also dared Manning to call the election date immediately.
PM has not escaped
ALTHOUGH he has prevented potentially damning and damaging information coming out in Parliament during debate on the UNC’s motion of no-confidence against him, by ordering the dissolution of Parliament, Prime Minister Patrick Manning has not gotten off scotch-free, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar last night warned.
Rowley: Public to debate no-confidence motion
PNM Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley yesterday said Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s decision to advise President George Maxwell Richards to dissolve the Parliament, at midnight yesterday, means the debate on no-confidence in Manning will now take place on the public hustings of a general election.
It’s Udecott election–Rowley
Former Trade and Industry Minister Dr Keith Rowley says Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s decision to dissolve Parliament at this time would have been influenced by the report of the Uff Commission of Enquiry into the Construction Sector and the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott).
‘Hart not only one to blame’
The power government gave to former UDeCOTT executive chairman Calder Hart, taking him from middle level to head of an entity that could not account for millions of dollars of state funds, was the main issue in the findings of the Uff Commission, Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley said.
Philbert: We need to speak to Hart
MERE days after Attorney General John Jeremie announced that the Police did not require the presence of former Udecott executive chairman Calder Hart, Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert yesterday said the Police needs to speak to Hart.
Cops interview Bakr
JAMAAT Leader Yasin Abu Bakr has been interviewed by officers of the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau (ACIB) in relation to an alleged land deal between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and him (Bakr), which was disclosed in an affidavit sworn by him (Bakr) in 2006.
Citizens surprised, but ready to vote
Imbert hopes EBC is ready
WORKS Minister Colm Imbert said yesterday that he hoped the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) will have its electoral list cleaned up in time for a general election.
…’EBC always ready to go’
THE Elections and Boundaries Commission has not yet received the General Election writ.
COP: The bell has rung
“The bell has rung and it’s time for action.”
This was the view of Acting Political Leader of the Congress of the People (COP) Wendy Lee Yuen to Newsday yesterday that Prime Minister Patrick Manning had advised the President to dissolve Parliament, paving the way for a general election.
Philbert: Police ready for general election
Too early to ‘jump the gun’
POLITICAL Leader of the United National Congress, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, can become Trinidad and Tobago’s next Prime Minister, but she will have to work “damn hard” during her campaign.
UNC ready
THE United National Congress (UNC) is ready to fight the general election and make its way into Government. Those who do not share the vision and mission of the party will be left behind, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday.
London: TOP/UNC no threat
TOBAGO House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London said the People’s National Movement (PNM) was not worried about talk that the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) is forming an alliance with the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) for the upcoming general election.
Ramnath: No plan to form new party
COUVA South MP Kelvin Ramnath yesterday said that contrary to numerous rumours now making the rounds, there is no faction within the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) interested in forming a new political party.
Panday and 4 loyal to him up for screening
FOUR Members of Parliament who remained loyal to deposed UNC leader Basdeo Panday, and Panday himself, will be offering themselves for screening in preparation for the forthcoming snap election to be called by Prime Minister Patrick Manning.
Hamza attends Kamla caucus
UNC Caroni Central MP Dr Hamza Rafeeq has attended his first parliamentary caucus under the leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the party’s headquarters at Rienzi Complex, Couva.
Back to the people
Prime Minister Patrick Manning has confounded sceptics by having Parliament dissolved a mere two weeks after he announced there would be an early general election. Some commentators saw the initial announcement as a feint to distract citizens from the scandals of Calder Hart and UDeCOTT; the mystery church at Guanapo Heights; the deficient National Academy for the Performing Arts; as well as the non-stop abuses such as overspending and underperforming, and the serial nightmares of murderous crime. However, the prospect of a general election tends to focus, rather than distract, people’s minds, even as the hard-core supporters in each party close ranks. That aside, there can be little doubt that growing public disaffection was a key factor in forcing Mr Manning’s hand.
Dissolving the debate
We are not surprised that Prime Minister Patrick Manning took the easy way out and dissolved parliament just before the motion of No-Confidence in his administration was to be debated.
Forward to a bruising campaign
Obviously not wanting to allow the Opposition to do too much damage during the no-confidence motion debate which was scheduled for today, Prime Minister Patrick Manning sought to engage in damage control by opting to have the President dissolve the Parliament midnight Thursday.
Shot called!
In a different country to this one, the ruling party, having found itself backed against the wall, less than halfway through its term, largely because of the errors, both political and personal, of its leader, would have opted to go into an election with someone new or, at least, different but this is Trinidad and Tobago or, more particularly, this is the PNM where leadership is akin to the divine right of kings, Lady Vice Chairman Donna Cox, for example, not there ever to mount a challenge, like her ‘sister’, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, but to rally her sisters, ladies-in-waiting in the royal court: ‘Hail Patrick, Patrick all hail!’
TTRA Bill derailed
Government was last night forced to scuttle its own legislation to set up a Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) in the face of strong criticisms from Opposition and Independent Senators, and the dissolution of Parliament.
…Govt: No worker shall go home
Poll shows support for rapid rail project: Imbert
Imbert: Expect floods in wet season
Suicide after mom kills tots
…Three bodies found dangling from house rafter
Mom kills daughters, hangs self
A CLOSE KNIT community in Penal was plunged into shock and mourning following the tragic news of a double-murder/suicide involving the wife of a doubles vendor and their two young children yesterday.
Look at that stupid grin on manning’s face, What an Idiot.
Politicians opposing the PM for hiring a High Priestess, should themselves get one of their own. It might be more fun than they know. And there are lots on hire.
HJS