Augustine says TPP ready for THA election; keeps date in back pocket

Tobago Correspondent

Political leader of the Tobago People’s Party, Farley Augustine, says his party is well advanced in its preparations for the next Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections, and when they campaign, they will “roll heavy and deep.”

“We are pretty advanced with our strategic planning, and so when we roll, we will be rolling heavy and deep,” Augustine said, adding that the campaign will be “a very clean campaign, [with a] progressive agenda… one that engages and excites the people of Tobago.”

While an election date has not been set, Augustine explained that under the THA’s semi-fixed system, the assembly dissolves on its anniversary, with 35 to 90 days to set a poll.

“Most likely, it will be like January 2026… it could even be in December,” he said.

“I don’t have the powers as Chief Secretary to dissolve the House… but don’t need to panic, we will have a smooth transition into the election season.”

Augustine’s comments come as Tobago’s political parties position themselves for the polls.

The Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP), once led by Augustine before a 2022 split, is also in preparation mode.

That year, Augustine and 12 other PDP assembly members resigned from the party after a public rift with leader Watson Duke, eventually forming the TPP and leaving Duke without a presence in the THA’s executive. The PDP’s 2021 landslide victory had ended the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) 20-year hold on the Assembly, but internal conflict quickly fractured the party.

The TPP contested its first poll in the April 28 General Election, where it captured the Tobago East and West constituencies.

On criticism from Duke, who recently accused him of betraying the PDP, Augustine was blunt.

“I don’t know that one has a view on Mr Duke at all, so we don’t give much consideration to Mr Duke,” he said. “Mr Duke could barely attract one per cent of the support of Tobagonians… I wish him all the best as he gets buried politically… I’m not really interested in Mr Duke and his comments.”

Contacted for a response, Duke said his chairman Sean Nedd will issue a statement to Augustine’s comments today.

Duke, who has kept a public profile despite the split, was guarded when contacted for comment on the upcoming THA election, saying only, “No comments at this time.”

When reminded of the party’s 2021 victory, he replied, “Exactly.”

He hinted that the same blueprint could work again. The party also issued a statement saying it is progressing in its plans, but took a direct hit at Augustine for betraying the party.

Meanwhile, the Innovative Democratic Alliance (IDA), led by Dr Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus, has also confirmed it is actively preparing for the polls, with potential candidates engaged in community work over the past six months. The PNM has already completed screening and selected candidates for all 15 electoral districts. It is now in the stage of consultations for its manifesto.

The THA’s current term expires on December 6, giving roughly 90 days to call the election once the Assembly dissolves.