by SANKA PRICE in TrinidadIT’S SAID “a day in politics is a long time”. And no-one in Trinidad and Tobago knows that better than former Prime Minister Patrick Manning.Around 9:30 a.m. on sunny Monday he was exuding confidence of another electoral victory at the helm of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM). He was so self-assured that when asked who he thought would be the biggest casualty in the poll, he replied: “It won’t be me.”Nearly 14 hours later, at 10:45 p.m., he was sombrely conceding defeat at the PNM headquarters and saying he would have to consider his political future.And yesterday at the time of writing, on a rainy, dreary morning – 24 hours later – there were reports that the PNM general council was meeting and Manning’s resignation as party leader was a distinct possibility.By contrast, Kamla Persad-Bissessar was scheduled to meet with her coalition People’s Partnership (PP) leadership to choose a Cabinet to run the country for the next five years.In just 24 hours she went from being the first female leader of the United National Congress (UNC) and the first female Leader of the Opposition here, to the first ever female Prime Minister.What a difference a day makes indeed!The significance of all this was lapped up in music and merriment into the wee hours yesterday by Persad-Bissessar and coalition supporters.In fact, UNC chairman Jack Warner, in his celebratory address to the thousands gathered at the UNC’s headquarters in Couva, announced that the bar would be free from then until 6 a.m.The assembled masses were treated to calypso, chutney, tassa and steel pan performances by a wide range of groups and artistes, speaking to the all-embracing appeal of the coalition.There were balloons, noise-makers, confetti and fireworks too. And there was food galore: from Trini treats like corn soup and doubles, to hot dogs. Everything was in place for a fête. But there was serious business too. Winning candidates went on stage and thanked faithful constituents, and Warner first, then Persad-Bissessar, gave keynote speeches.Warner said the victory showed the frustration of the people. He said he understood the expectations of supporters but called on them to be patient and realistic.He said some people had begun talking about which ministry or board they want to be allied to, and told them to “forget that, my friends”.Instead, he urged them to let the government be one with a difference.The Prime Minister-elect described her success as a victory of the people and a sign that democracy was alive in the republic.She said those who did not vote for the coalition had nothing to fear as they intended to govern fairly.“Be not afraid of the people’s victory. Those of you who did not . . . support us, from today onwards understand and know there is only one nation, there is only one people, so be not afraid. “And for those who supported, I ask you be your brother’s keeper, be your sister’s keeper and no-one must be left behind. Because if we leave one behind then it can happen to every one of us,” Persad-Bissessar said.As for Manning, he was in his San Fernando East constituency greeting supporters who returned him for the 11th consecutive time.There was no celebration there, just sombre moods and possibly some reflection on how an election day that started so well ended so badly.
