Hazel Manning Offers To Lead San Fernando East Amid Growing PNM Turmoil
Former government minister Hazel Manning has offered herself to serve as chairman of the People’s National Movement’s San Fernando East constituency, stepping directly into an escalating internal dispute involving her son, Member of Parliament Brian Manning, and members of the constituency executive.
In a statement shared on Brian Manning’s Facebook page on Saturday night, Manning said she had been observing what she described as growing turmoil within the constituency over the past several months.
“Over the last few months, I have observed the escalating turmoil and overwhelming concerns by the people of San Fernando East, regarding the conduct, reputation and business of some who represent us,” the statement said.
Manning, the widow of former Prime Minister Patrick Manning, stressed the historic and political importance of San Fernando East, describing it as a symbolic constituency not only for the Manning family but also for the PNM.
Her late husband represented San Fernando East from 1971 until 2015, making the constituency synonymous with his lengthy political career. Patrick Manning served twice as Prime Minister and became the longest-serving Member of Parliament in Trinidad and Tobago’s history.
Brian Manning subsequently became the PNM candidate for the constituency in 2020 and has represented San Fernando East in Parliament since that year’s general election. He was returned to Parliament following the 2025 election and currently sits as an Opposition MP.
Hazel Manning said she had personally witnessed both her husband and son working throughout the constituency.
“For decades I watched my husband, and now my son Brian Manning, walk every street, take note of every issue and make sacrifices to try to reach and represent every constituent,” she said.
She indicated that her decision to intervene followed numerous approaches from people concerned about the situation within San Fernando East.
“Given the circumstances and following countless phone calls, in the interest of bringing peace to the constituency, tonight I formally agree to offer myself to serve in the position of chairman of the San Fernando East constituency.”
Her intervention comes amid an increasingly public disagreement between Brian Manning and members of the constituency executive.
Manning recently called on the PNM to intervene after claiming that a message he posted in a San Fernando East executive group chat was deleted by constituency chairman Patricia Alexis and that he was subsequently removed from the group.
He said he had formally raised concerns regarding Alexis and called for greater transparency and independent oversight within the constituency.
The dispute has pushed what might ordinarily have remained an internal constituency matter into the public spotlight, with questions now surrounding the relationship between the sitting MP and sections of the executive responsible for the party’s operations in San Fernando East.
Hazel Manning’s decision introduces one of the PNM’s most recognisable political families directly into the controversy.
She is herself no stranger to public office. Manning previously served as a PNM senator and held ministerial responsibility for Education and Local Government during Patrick Manning’s administration.
Her proposed leadership of the constituency would therefore represent more than simply a family intervention on behalf of her son. It would mark the return of an experienced former government minister to an active leadership role within a constituency deeply associated with the Manning political legacy.
However, her statement represents an offer to serve as chairman, rather than confirmation that she has formally assumed the position. Any change in the constituency’s leadership would have to occur through the PNM’s applicable internal processes.
Hazel Manning ended her statement by calling for unity and reconstruction within San Fernando East.
“I appreciate each of you. Let us work together to repair, recover and rebuild.”
The development places further attention on the PNM leadership as the disagreement within one of the party’s most historically significant constituencies continues to unfold.
With Brian Manning already publicly requesting intervention and Hazel Manning now offering to take responsibility for the constituency’s chairmanship, the next move could determine whether the dispute is contained internally or develops into a broader struggle over the future leadership and direction of San Fernando East.
