WHY DID PNM BLANK PIGGOTT’S CORNER MEETING?

PIGGOTT’S Corner at Belmont is a landmark public meeting place of the ruling People’s National Movement.

From the embryonic years of founder Dr. Eric Williams, the party has held meetings, reporting to and engaging with the masses.

The meeting point is at the nerve centre of the urban community on the Northern Range, among small businesses, street traders, and limers.

Williams created a tradition of hosting a public meeting after each Budget presentation, during which he broke down economic jargon into simple man-in-the-street language.

He interspersed Government policies with party propaganda, touting such themes as the PNM caring for the working people.

The custom continued under George Chambers, who was familiar with the community having been born in Port of Spain and educated at Nelson Street Boys R.C. School.

Successive PNM leaders Patrick Manning and Dr. Keith Rowley have continued the unbroken practice.

That is, until last Friday.

Mere minutes before the meeting was due to take place, the party announced its postponement.

No explanation was given and no new date was set.

The mysterious decision set off speculation that there were fears of a low turnout in light of widespread disenchantment with the governing party.

Some observers suggested that the PNM feared that gang warfare could be provoked between armed groups based at nearby Belle Eau and St. Francois Valley roads.

Interestingly, the next evening the party hosted a $1,500-a-person black-tie gala event at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Port of Spain.