PNM After 50 years
Posted: Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Manning: PNM remains true to its founding principles
By Ria Taitt, mewsday.co.tt
A large crowd braved the inclement weather to join in joyous celebration of the PNM's 50th anniversary, held in its birthplace, the University of Woodford Square. The programme reflected the rich diversity of the culture and ethnicity of the country. Among the evening's highlights were the ceremonial lighting of the 50 candles, the first being lit by Prime Minister Patrick Manning. Speaking no doubt with the allegations of corruption against several politicians, including two PNM MPs in mind, Manning took the opportunity to emphasise that the party resolved to stay true to one of its founding principles - that in the conduct of its public and private affairs, "we will continue to subscribe to the highest standards of morality."
While PoS MP Eric Williams sat on the podium with other high-ranking members, there was no sight of Ortoire/Mayaro MP Frankie Khan. Manning said another founding principle to which the party remained committed was the goal of multi-racialism. He said while the PNM had drawn the bulk of its support from Afro-Trinidadians and Afro-Tobagonians, the party had never won an election purely on the basis of African support. He added that the party had always sought to achieve ethnic and racial balance. Manning said the third principle to which the PNM had rigorously adhered was the determination to unite the Caribbean. He said from the first attempt at Federation to the formation of Carifesta and then Caricom, the party had been a driving force. Manning, celebrating his 15th year as PNM leader, paid tribute to leaders who went before him as well as to the founding members of the party.
He said among the things which made the party great was its structure, and he went into detail about the party group and constituency groups, pointing out that the smallest man had an opportunity to influence the direction and shape of the party. He stressed that PNM was called a "movement" not a party because its founder, Eric Williams, always meant it to be organic entity that would grow and evolve to suit the changing times. He cited as an example the flotation of the TT dollar, at a time when foreign exchange reserves were at an all-time low, and which now stood at a healthy $4.5 billion.
He also cited the policy of liberalisation as an example of PNM's readiness to face the challenges of the times. The PM echoed the statement of Vice-Chairman John Donaldson - that there was no development in the social, economic and political life in the country with which the PNM had not been associated. Donaldson, speaking earlier, recalled participating in that meeting 50 years ago when the PNM first presented itself to the population. He said the PNM remained the only credible political party that Trinidad and Tobago has ever known.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/stories.php?article_id=32786
Also Read:
Faking Unity after 50 Years of PNM
Rain and hymns disappoint PNM fete lovers
PNM 50th Anniversary in Pictures:
http://triniview.com/album/PNM-240106
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