AKASH SAMAROO
Lead Editor – Politics
The entire executive of the People’s National Movement’s San Fernando East constituency has resigned, marking a dramatic escalation in the party’s internal dispute involving MP Brian Manning and constituency chairman Patricia Alexis.
In a statement issued today, Alexis announced that the executive had taken the decision to step down effective 4 p.m. on Monday following a meeting with the PNM’s leadership.
The resignation comes just hours after PNM chairman Marvin Gonzales publicly rebuked Manning, accusing him of making inaccurate statements and failing to respect the party’s internal processes for resolving the ongoing conflict within the constituency.
According to the statement, more than 20 members of the constituency executive attended Sunday’s meeting, where discussions focused on the findings of an inquiry commissioned by the PNM’s General Council into complaints raised by both Manning and Alexis. The executive said its resignation was intended to facilitate an orderly transition and allow the party’s leadership to implement interim arrangements ahead of constituency elections.
The executive also disclosed that Manning had been invited to attend the meeting but did not participate in the discussions.
Alexis said the outgoing executive believed its departure would clear the way for the party’s leadership and national executive to supervise group elections and oversee the democratic selection of a new constituency executive.
The statement noted that the outgoing officers would cooperate fully with the transition process and any verification exercise arising from recommendations made by the inquiry team.
In another significant development, Alexis confirmed she will not seek re-election as chairman of the San Fernando East constituency. However, individual members of the outgoing executive will be free to contest positions on the new executive if they choose.
The resignation follows days of mounting turmoil within the constituency. Several executive members had already resigned amid concerns over the handling of the dispute and public exchanges between Manning and Alexis.
The executive sought to reassure supporters that its decision should not be interpreted as an abandonment of the party or constituency but rather as a move aimed at restoring stability and allowing members to determine the constituency’s future leadership through established party processes.
The latest development comes as former education minister Hazel Manning, the widow of former prime minister Patrick Manning and mother of Brian Manning, has announced her intention to contest the constituency chairmanship when elections are held next month.
