PDP: Farley owes his political career to Watson Duke

Elizabeth Gonzales

The Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) says Chief Secretary Farley Augustine owes his political career to party leader Watson Duke, who gave him his start when Augustine was “a little dry foot boy from Speyside.” Augustine recently dismissed Duke, claiming he “cannot attract even one percent” of Tobago’s support — a claim the PDP strongly rejects.

In a release issued this morning, PDP chairman Sean Nedd described Augustine’s recent remarks about Duke as “disrespectful and delusional.”

Last Friday, Augustine had claimed that Duke is “politically buried” and struggles to summon the island’s support and attention.

But, the PDP said Duke was the driving force behind the party’s historic performances in the Tobago House of Assembly elections in 2017 and 2021.

The party accused Augustine of “betraying the very man who defended him against all odds.”
It also described Duke as “the most consistent, fearless, and visionary voice in the Tobago House of Assembly over the past nine years.

The PDP warned Augustine will soon face “the reality of a Tobago that has grown disillusioned, dissatisfied, and ready for change.”
The party, in another warning said, “History will remember who stood firm for the people and who turned their back when power came.”

Less than a year into office, a public spat between Duke and Augustine led to a mass resignation in the PDP. Augustine went on to form his Tobago People’s Party in 2023.