Manning vows not to be an absent MP

BRIAN Manning is assuring that he will not be an absent representative, should he win the San Fernando East People’s National Movement (PNM) stronghold in the upcoming general election.

Manning said although he lives outside of the constituency his ability to represent or be present will not be in question.

While his decision to enter the politics has been widely welcomed, some concerns have been expressed about his residential address and the fact that he lived abroad for a long time.

“I am in Trinidad now. I live here and I am going to represent my constituency.”

“I grew up in the constituency. I understand the issues in the constituency and I will also be present in the constituency. People will see me so that won’t be a problem,” he said in an interview on Sunday.

Manning, the son of the late Prime Minister said for a number of years while his father represented San Fernando East, the family lived in Marabella.

“And when he was Prime Minister he lived in Port of Spain and he still represented the constituency.”

In fact, the late Manning was the longest serving MP in the country and as the representative for the constituency.

Days after he got the nod to contest the seat, the younger Manning has hit the ground running.

On Saturday he met with members of the executive to devise a strategy for the campaign in keeping with government’s physical distancing measure to stop the spread of covid19.

“Now that I am confirmed I can be on the ground and that is what I am doing.”

He said on Saturday he started a hamper drive to assist people in need in the constituency.

He said some constituents have fallen on hard times because of the pandemic, while others have been struggling for some time.

One of the first set of constituents he reached out to were ailing couple Evan Rajpaul, 60, and his wife Vitra Teelucksingh-Rajpaul, 68.

Manning said their plight published in the Newsday was drawn to his attention and he immediately offered his assistance to provide immediate relief with assurance to regularise their situation so they can take care of themselves.

“So, I have been handing out hampers and helping out a lot more people in the constituency as part of a broader initiative.

“We are meeting with the executive, getting a team together and really planning out what we are doing, compliant with the health standards set by the Ministry of Health.

“I have hit the ground running,

Manning said he would like to be known as "someone who care about people. Im my mind, that is what it is about and thats the kind of thinking that has been hammered into my head since childhood.

"If I did not care about people, I think my father would be deeply disappointed. It feels good to do something meaningful to help constituents." he said.