Friday, October 30 2009

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MEETING THE FAMILY: Prime Minister Patrick Manning takes time to greet the Sankar family during his walk-a-bout yesterday....

Prime Minister, Patrick Manning has stated that any attempt to disrupt next month’s Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, (CHOGM), would embarrass not only the Government, but the entire country, hence he hoped good sense would prevail.

He made the comments to reporters shortly before embarking on his second walkabout through the San Fernando East constituency yesterday evening.

Accompanied by a handful of red-shirted supporters, including Senator Tina Gronlund- Nunez, Manning also dismissed persistent rumours that he was contemplating an early General Election next year, Manning said the walkabouts were the ruling party’s method of “keeping in touch with the people.”

“No, it has nothing to do with an election,” he said, though pressed further said the only poll carded for next year was the Local Government election which could occur within three months after the July 30 expiration date of the present Local Government term. Manning further explained that the pattern of the ruling party was to ‘‘keep in touch’’ with the grass roots supports, whether an election was due or not. Asked about comments by trade union organisation which stated that it could not guarantee that there would not be any disruptions of telecommunications service for the upcoming CHOGM meeting, Manning said he hoped ‘‘good sense’’ would prevail because any disruptions would ‘‘embarrass the country’’ and not only the Government.

During the walkabout, Manning, known for his brisk pace, greeted and waved to supporters as they came out of their homes to meet the Prime Minister.

They included 93-year-old resident, Hildred Noel, who greeted Manning with a kiss on the cheek.

There was a noticeably large security presence accompanying the Prime Minister on the walkabout including heavily armed police and Defence Force officers.