MP Brian Manning Calls for Party Reform Amid Allegations of Corruption in San Fernando East

In a live interview on I-95.5 FM’s morning show, MP Brian Manning, the elected representative for San Fernando East, laid out serious concerns about internal dysfunction and alleged corruption within the People’s National Movement (PNM) at the constituency level.

Mr. Manning said that following the last general election he convened a “post-mortem” meeting with various party groups, community stakeholders and executive members to assess what had succeeded and where the constituency fell short. He reported that repeated complaints emerged about the conduct of several executive members, prompting him to repeatedly raise the matter with the party’s national leadership. According to Manning, those complaints were ignored, and the issues resurfaced during the recent constituency election when the number of registered party groups unexpectedly rose from 27 to 32.

He accused the local executive of operating as a “reward-based” entity serving its own interests. Specific allegations include:

• The constituency chairman, identified as Ms. Alexis, is said to have secured “millions of dollars” in CPEP, CPAP and HTC contracts, far exceeding the eight CPEP teams that normally serve the area’s 27,000 residents.
• Ms. Alexis allegedly benefits from property ownership in Florida and other assets that were unattainable for many members only a few years ago.
• The process devised by the party’s political leader to investigate the complaints is described as “rife with bias and conflict of interest,” with the accused executive member seated at the head of a council that was to review the allegations.

Manning also highlighted his inability to select an independent representative for the investigative committee, as the party insisted the nominee must be drawn from the central executive—a body that includes the very individual under investigation.

On the broader political front, the MP criticised the PNM’s current “one-man-one-vote” system, arguing it grants a disproportionate mandate to a small minority. He cited the current executive’s 7% voter support as evidence of an “untenable” mandate. Manning advocated for a return to the delegate system, which he described as “far more democratic,” ensuring equal weight for votes from all regions, whether urban or rural.

The interview concluded with Manning’s call for a free and fair election in San Fernando East, the removal of the disputed executive members, and a demand that the party’s political leader address the alleged criminal and corrupt elements within the movement. He warned that failure to act could jeopardise the PNM’s ability to win future elections.

The host thanked Mr. Manning for his candid remarks and emphasized that the political leader of the party must respond promptly to the concerns raised.