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Lead Editor-Newsgathering
Political analyst Dr Winford James believes the People’s National Movement (PNM) may struggle to sway enough voters in their direction by raising concerns about the United States radar installation in Tobago, or the possibility of a military base being established on the island. It comes as campaigning for the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections ramps up across the island.
On Sunday afternoon, the PNM unveiled its manifesto, vowing to create 7,000 new jobs through small business support, tourism expansion, and green economy investments.
Previously, the PNM in Tobago declared if elected, they would seek to remove the US radar installed on the island. However, James feels the radar may not be the deciding factor in the elections.
When asked if Chief Secretary Farley Augustine’s relationship with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will help or hurt the Tobago People’s Party (TPP), he said, “The PNM, in particular, as one of the opposition parties, is arguing that Kamla is giving away, so to speak, sovereignty as a country. They can talk about the radar and other ways in which the United States military is in our space, on our land. You know they’ll talk about that, but I don’t know if they can win over enough people on a disagreement with the way Farley and Kamla are receiving the appearance of the United States on Trinidadian and Tobagonian land.”
In fact, James believes the relationship could help the TPP in the January 12 elections. James also believes, with three weeks to go to the THA elections, the TPP has its nose in front.
Mohammed: TPP has the edge
Meanwhile, political analyst Dr Shane Mohammed agrees the TPP has the edge with mere weeks to the elections. He told Guardian Media, “The people of Tobago have to take into consideration that for much of the TPP’s term in office, they’ve been battling the PNM as a central government, and they’ve done a lot with little. Let’s give them credit for that.
“There are issues, obviously, that have not been resolved, that require greater governance, greater communication, that also require greater resources, that they’ve only recently, through the national budget, been able to get, because there has been a change in government.”
Mohammed also believes PDP leader Watson Duke’s decision to throw his support behind the TPP will work in Augustine’s favour.
Following nomination day last Friday, Mohammed said that although there are fewer candidates and political parties contesting this time, greater collaboration and unity among voters could work in the TPP’s favour.
He added, “With regard to the candidates, it’s a good quality of candidates, generally. I do believe, however, that this comes down to a two-party race. Therefore, it would be, again, like the general election, red versus blue, and the task would be to convince the population in Tobago that one is better than the other, obviously.
“The TPP has a lot to campaign on. I think the PNM has to play catch-up. There have been low-running issues that have superseded the general election that, on the face of it, appear to have been settled, but I think when you dig deeper into it, the PNM hasn’t fully settled its issues. I don’t think a party that is fractured and a party that is dealing with internal conflict can effectively govern an island unless they fix their issues.”
January poll a test of Farley’s performance–Ramsamooj
Political analyst Derek Ramsamooj said Augustine’s tenure will be on test in January. He explained, “The capacity of the Chief Secretary to deliver goods and services that would have improved the lives of Tobagonians during the last three to four years will determine his success at the THA elections.
“Dealing with issues such as reduced crime, increased tourism and hotels, increased tourism, and wealth generated within the Tobago economy will determine whether the Tobagonians are happy with his leadership or are looking for alternatives.” He said the jury was still out on whether the radar presence in Tobago will be a factor at the polls.
On November 12, Augustine formally requested the dissolution during a plenary sitting, paving the way for the THA elections.
English (US) ·