BRIAN MANNING RAISES CONCERNS AHEAD OF PNM POLLS

FHIST NEWS · June 23, 2026 at 12:32 PM

2026-06-23

Manning letter raises election integrity concerns ahead of PNM polls

The Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) leadership is expected to examine internally a letter from San Fernando East MP Brian Manning calling for action on concerns raised by members of the constituency, including an alleged conflict of interest involving a PNM executive member who also heads the constituency executive.

The development comes as the PNM prepares for constituency elections from July 1.

Following the issues outlined in Manning’s letter, a cross-section of San Fernando East members expressed “a profound lack of confidence in the current constituency executive’s capacity to fairly, neutrally and transparently administer the constituency’s upcoming internal processes, particularly in instances where incumbent officers intend standing for re-election.”

Manning’s letter was addressed to the PNM’s General Council last Thursday through General Secretary Foster Cummings.

The correspondence detailed what it described as critical concerns regarding “governance, constitutional compliance and electoral integrity” within the San Fernando East constituency.

It urged the political leader, general secretary and General Council to thoroughly investigate the alleged “operational irregularities” and take the necessary corrective action to restore the confidence of San Fernando East members.

The letter was sent to the General Council in care of Cummings. The council was informed of the correspondence from San Fernando East. However, it was confirmed that the letter was not read at the meeting, despite being addressed to the council, as it was not submitted in the required format. Sources said such correspondence should have been addressed directly to the general secretary rather than the council.

The development generated interest among General Council attendees and on social media.

Manning did not respond to calls or text messages seeking comment on the matter.

The letter stated that critical governance issues had been repeatedly brought to Manning’s attention by San Fernando East members during consultations following the 2025 General Election.

It called for immediate attention to the following matters in order to protect the party:

Perceived conflict of interest within the executive

The letter cited widespread and growing unease among members regarding an alleged “structural overlap in governance” arising from the San Fernando East constituency chairman simultaneously serving on the PNM’s National Executive.

While this dual role may be permissible under the party’s existing framework, the letter stated it had created a strong perception of a conflict of interest.

“Members increasingly feel this arrangement compromises the necessary impartiality, transparency and objective advocacy required when local constituency grievances are escalated to the national level. The perceived deficit in independent representation has led to a noticeable decline in institutional confidence,” the letter stated.

Constitutional non-compliance regarding a by-election

Constituents also raised serious procedural concerns regarding a recent by-election held to fill an executive vacancy.

Members alleged that the vacancy was not announced in strict accordance with the PNM Constitution, which mandates seven days’ notice to members before an election is held.

The letter further alleged that the subsequent election or appointment of an individual who was a non-attending constituency group representative and an employee of a senior executive official had amplified concerns regarding transparency, fairness and nepotism.

“This deviation from established constitutional procedures has severely fractured internal trust,” the letter stated.

General decline in executive integrity and morale

The correspondence also pointed to what it described as an escalating perception among the constituency base that several executive officers were failing to act in a manner that inspired confidence.

It claimed this had resulted in deep-seated distrust and a decline in member engagement, volunteer morale and party cohesion at a time when PNM unity was paramount.

Concerns over electoral integrity

The letter stated that, as a result of the issues raised, “a significant cross-section of San Fernando East members have expressed a profound lack of confidence in the current executive’s capacity to fairly, neutrally and transparently administer our upcoming internal processes, particularly in instances where incumbent officers intend standing for re-election.”

It suggested that the General Council implement a number of oversight measures before the July constituency elections, including:

An independent audit and verification of all registered active San Fernando East party groups;

The immediate regularisation and official recognition of all party groups meeting the constitutional requirements of the PNM; and

Independent oversight or external administration from the national level to manage constituency elections.

Yesterday, PNM Political Leader Pennelope Beckles did not respond to WhatsApp queries seeking her views on the letter, whether it would be discussed, or whether any of the recommendations would be adopted. Cummings also did not respond.

However, PNM executive officials said assurances had been given that the matter would be discussed internally.

“The PNM will handle its business internally and the leadership will appropriately manage matters as required,” one official said.

PNM Assistant General Secretary Patricia Alexis, who is also chairman of the San Fernando East constituency executive, did not respond to requests for comment.

Alexis has served as chairman of the constituency for more than 10 years and was a member of Beckles’ “One PNM” slate during the party’s 2025 internal elections.

SOURCE: GAIL ALEXANDER - SENIOR POLITICL REPORTER | GUARDIAN MEDIA

DahvidC · August 20, 2026 at 12:04 AM

Brian Manning MP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 August 2026

A Call for Transparency and Independent Oversight in San Fernando East
A statement by the Honourable Brian Manning, Member of Parliament for San Fernando East

To the people and party members of San Fernando East,
As your Member of Parliament, I am compelled to speak plainly about a matter of integrity that has caused deep concern among the membership of our constituency. Over the past several months, in consultation after consultation following last year’s general election, our members have raised with me a series of troubling questions about governance within the San Fernando East constituency executive. I have brought these concerns formally, and in writing, to the Party’s General Council. To date, they have not been addressed in a way that assures our members they will be examined independently and fairly.

At the centre of these concerns is an apparent conflict of interest. The Chairman of our San Fernando East constituency, Ms. Patricia Alexis, at the same time holds senior national office within the Party as Assistant General Secretary, is also a representative of San Fernando East on the General Council, and a member of the Central Executive. Many of our members have said they believe these myriad roles compromises the impartiality of decision-making whenever constituency matters are elevated to the national level, and that the interests of San Fernando East may not be fairly represented as a result.

Our members have also raised questions about a recent constituency executive election, in which an unannounced vacancy was reportedly filled by someone unfamiliar to many longstanding members and allegedly connected to the constituency Chairman. Members have described this process as lacking in transparency and proper constitutional procedure.

More broadly, I have experienced a growing unease among our membership about the perceived and unexplained affluence of certain members of the constituency executive; a perception that, left unaddressed, continues to erode the trust and confidence that hold our Party together. The media has reported that Ms Alexis was able to obtain millions of dollars in CEPEP contracts from the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government while being an employee (Chairman) of the Rural Development Company. Constituents would like to know what is the party leadership’s view on this concerning matter.

Let me be very clear: I make no accusation of guilt against any individual, including Ms. Alexis. These are serious concerns, raised in good faith by loyal members of our Party, and what I am asking for is simple — transparency, accountability, and a process our members can trust.

In that spirit, I asked that the committee appointed to verify the party groups in San Fernando East to include one independent member from outside the Central Executive, so that the exercise would be, and would be seen to be, impartial. In fairness, I offered Ms. Alexis the very same opportunity.

That request was declined. The General Council has instead insisted that my nominee be chosen only from among the members of the Central Executive; the very body on which Ms. Alexis serves as a senior officer. I cannot in good conscience accept that this arrangement inspires confidence. You cannot ask members to have faith in an inquiry when those closest to the concerns sit in judgement of it. To my mind, it reflects a reluctance to allow these matters to be examined by a genuinely impartial hand.

I have given much of my life, as my family has, to the People’s National Movement, and I say this as one who loves this Party: our strength has always rested on our commitment to integrity, fairness and service to the people. I call on the party leadership to give the people of San Fernando East the clarity and reassurance they deserve, without further delay.

To the people of San Fernando East: I hear you, I stand with you, and I will continue to defend the integrity of our Party and your interests with everything I have. I remain fully committed to due process and to fairness for all — but I will not be silent while the confidence of our members is allowed to erode.

Yours in service,

Brian Manning
Member of Parliament, San Fernando East

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