ttgapers.com

The People's Partnership have essentially swept the PNM out of power in Trinidad and Tobago. Outgoing Prime Minister Patrick Manning has conceded defeat but still expressed doubts about the People's Partnership coalition ability to govern in Trinidad and Tobago. The nation will welcome it's first female Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Manning called a snap election to coincide with a vote of no confidence being brought to Parliament.

The TOP delivered Tobago to People's Partnership early in the night to the glee of the opposition supporters. It became clear quickly that the PNM was losing ground. Kamla Persad-Bissessar claimed the Siparia seat early in the night and headed directly to Rienzi Complex to watch the night unfold. The night in summary has showed that the PNM were whipped soundly in the East, West, North, South and Tobago. The electoral map was a sea of People's Partnership yellow, with small traces of PNM red.

When key PNM seats fell in quick succession there was no doubt in minds of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago that change was coming. COP leader Winston Dookeran took the key swing constituency of Tunapuna in a firm rebuke to the current government. Dookeran had a very humble acceptance speech compared to the speech on Manning which gave the impression of a man who has lost his touch with the pulse of the nation.

Political pundits in Trinidad point to Patrick Manning truly losing his mind in recent times with some very autocratic decisions which as far as he was concerned was the best move. It is left to be seen how the coalition government will perform with the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissesar. The mood at Balisier house was extremely sombre compared to the carnival like atmosphere at Rienzi Complex.

It remains to be seen how the People's Partnership will perform. The expectations for them are quite high and Persad-Bissesar and Dookeran will be looking to deliver results immediately. Patrick Manning on the other hand will be considering his position as the head of PNM with the whipping received at the polls tonight.

Many point to the many issues recently that were brought to the doorstep of Patrick Manning including the UDeCOTT, Calder Hart and recent allegations linking Manning to the construction of a church in Trinidad that caused the swift whipping the PNM received at the polls. PNM leader Manning has taken his party from an eleven-seat majority in government to a minuscule 12 seats in Opposition-his worst electoral performance since taking over the reins of the PNM in 1987. His big gamble to call an election with two and a half years remaining in the term was a miserable and abject failure, resulting in his party losing 14 of the 26 seats it held in the Parliament.

"Tomorrow we will begin an analysis...and very shortly we will be calling the General Council for appropriate discussions. One of the things that I will now have to consider is my future in politics...I assure you of one thing-that the best decision would be taken in the interest of the People's National Movement," he said to a crowd gathered at Balisier House.

The People's Partnership won Arima, Barataria/San Juan, Caroni Central, Caroni East, Chaguanas East, Chaguanas West, Couva North, Couva South, Cumuto Manzanilla, D'abadie/O'Meara, Fyzabad, La Horquetta/Talparo, Lopinot/Bon Air West, Mayaro, Naparima, Oropouche East, Oropouche West, Pointe-a-Pierre, Princes Town, Moruga/Tableland, San Fernando West, Siparia, St Augustine, St Joseph, Tabaquite, Tobago East, Tobago West, Toco/Sangre Grande and Tunapuna.

The PNM was victorious in the constituencies of Arouca/Maloney, Diego Martin West, Diego Martin Central, Diego Martin North/East, La Brea, Laventille East/Morvant, Laventille West, Point Fortin, Port of Spain North/St Ann's West, St Ann's East, PoS South and San Fernando East.

Six of Manning's ministers were not as lucky. Karen Nunez-Tesheira, Kennedy Swaratsingh, Esther Le Gendre, Neil Parsanlal, Christine Kangaloo and Joseph Ross fell.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in her victory speech at Rienzi Complex, Couva, last night said, "Be not afraid of the people's victory. Those of you who did not find to 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."

She said the People's Partnership victory against the People's National Movement (PNM) was a sign that this country's democracy is preserved. "The changing of the guard is an indicator that our democracy is still preserved. Tonight you have good cause to celebrate," Persad-Bissessar said. Persad-Bissessar said her first order of business, starting today, would be to choose those who would be forming her Cabinet.