For the past 18 months citizens who elected former prime minister Patrick Manning as their MP have been without parliamentary representation, leaving them in the hands of the People’s Partnership-led San Fernando City Corporation. On Friday, Parliament approved an additional 42 days leave of absence for the San Fernando East MP, who since suffering a stroke on January 23, 2012, has been on medical leave.
In an interview yesterday, San Fernando Mayor Dr Navi Muradali said that despite Manning’s absence, the council was taking care of his constituents. Despite their political differences, he said he hopes that Manning gets well enough to return to Parliament. Muradali said, “I have worked with his office in his absence to ensure that things that fall in the San Fernando East Constituency are done, and I will continue to wish him the best of health and I hope he does come back.
“He has had an excellent representative in councillor Robert Paris of Pleasantville addressing many of the San Fernando East concerns, and council always supported the development of the San Fernando East area.” But a growing debate among constituents is whether Manning should resign his seat and a by-election be held to ensure that San Fernando East constituents get proper representation.
However, when asked whether Manning should give up his seat, Muradali said, “I have always wished Mr Manning the best of health, but I will leave that for his party, the PNM, and for the Government to decide.” Since his stroke, the PNM hierarchy has not announced any plans to replace their former political leader. Manning’s last contribution was made on December 9, 2011, during debate on the Administration of Justice (Electronic Monitoring) Bill.
However, since falling ill, he has sparked some controversy by attending several functions including the National Calypso Monarch semifinal back in February.