Prime Minister Patrick Manning on Monday night conceded defeat at the polls, while expressing shock that the head of the National Movement (PNM) has been expelled from office. With the final results of the general elections of May 24 has not yet been announced, Manning told reporters in the House of Balisier party headquarters here in the capital shortly after 22:30, saying: “I take full responsibility for the results … we have lost and we concede”. He later said that supporters of the PNM General Council of the Party will meet on Tuesday to conduct a thorough assessment of the results of the election and hinted the possibility of him leaning out of active politics after 40 years of public life.
“The best decision will be taken in the interest of PNM,” he said, adding that “we had every reason to believe we would be successful but it did not end that way.
“We in the PNM believe in democracy. The people have spoken and we accept the results and I take full responsibility for it,” he said.
Manning, whose defeat came at the hands of the Kamla Persad Bissessar-led opposition coalition, also said “I wish the first female prime minister well.”
Asked to comment on the future prospects of the incoming administration, Manning who called the elections two and a half years ahead of schedule, said “only time will tell. Let us see how things turn out.”
Manning thanked the fans, especially young people, who said he had given strong support for the party and hopes that the social programs that his government has put forth would continue.
