VOT leader wants to 'save Tobago'

Kinnesha George-Harry

Twenty-five-year-old Cori Roberts says he has received the support of his friends, family and members of his community to form a new political party. Roberts launched the Voice of Tobago (VOT) on Friday and is hoping to make an impact and someday govern Tobago. He said if he ever gets into power he will give each Tobagonian $1 million, push to develop a cannabis industry on the island and focus on agriculture for export.

Speaking with Newsday on Saturday Roberts, who hails from the village of Delaford, described himself as a community leader, businessman, entertainer, security officer and comedian.

“The VOT is the voice of the people, and the voice of the people is the voice of God. It is a people party, all my initiatives are determined by the people, solely the people of Tobago,” he said.

“Tobago needs a hero and they need it now… I’m the superhero to save Tobago. I consider myself as the superhero. If Tobago is to be a better place, all of us as residents need to become involved. We must roll up our sleeves and get involved in the political landscape.”

Roberts, an estate constable at a security firm on the island, said he intends to contest the 2020 general election as a Tobago East independent candidate.

The former Speyside Secondary School student said the responses he has received so far have been very encouraging.

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him. I have re­ceived tons of en­dorse­ments. I have been to street corners and community groups as I hold a number of key positions within my community, and the responses have been very positive.”

He added: “I am more than politics actually. I am an icon in my community…People have been calling upon me to do something on numerous occasions and I think now is the time."

Roberts, in a single-page manifesto, outlined the five objectives he intends to tackle upon assuming office:

- Making all communities an agriculture base for export

- One million dollars for everyone living in Tobago

- Making Tobago a cannabis industry to earn billions

- The establishment of two hospitals at Charlotteville and Roxborough

- The establishment of two state-of-the-art universities in Tobago East.

The party was launched via social media and Roberts intends to hit the ground running, making constituents aware of this new option.

Roberts said he has decided to hold off on the registration of the entity at the Elections and Boundaries Commission until September.

He said if suc­cess­ful in becoming the next MP for To­ba­go East, his main fo­cus will be to rep­re­sent poor peo­ple.

The Tobago East seat is currently held by PNM representative Ayan­na Web­ster-Roy.