Former T&T PM Returns To Parliament

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad CMC – Two years after he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralysed, former prime minister Patrick Manning Friday, returned to Parliament with Speaker Wade Mark leading both government and opposition legislators in welcoming the country’s longest serving legislator.

Manning, 67, who was prime minister here on two occasions, entered the Chamber to desk thumping from legislators even as government parliamentarians spoke of “show time”.

“I think we will all agree it is show time,” said the leader of Government Business, Housing Minister Dr. Roodial Moonilal.

Manning, who had been granted extensive leave by the Parliament and had received treatment in the United States, suffered an embolism that causes an obstruction of an artery to the brain resulting in  difficulty in breathing, chest pains, fever and rapid heartbeat and eventually a stroke.

Manning, the parliamentary representative for San Fernando East, has been a legislator for 43 years. He lost the 2010 general election after he led his People’s National Movement (PNM) to the polls two years ahead of the constitutional deadline.