Augustine: PDP not afraid of new THA election

THE Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) is not afraid of facing a new Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election, deputy leader Farley Augustine said on Saturday.

He made this point in response to comments made by the Prime Minister during a radio interview last week about the possibility of a new election.

Referring to the PNM-PDP talks on power-sharing in the aftermath of the January 25 six-six electoral deadlock and the THA Amendment Bill 2021 (which involves increasing Tobago's electoral districts from 12 to 15 to facilitate a new election) Dr Rowley said, "The possibility for Tobago going back to the polls, it appears to me that Tobago going back to the polls is that option that they (PNM and PDP) in the THA may choose and certain developments may flow from that.”

Rowley also said the progress of the Constitution (Amendment) (Tobago Self-Government) Bill 2020 through Parliament, can also play a role in determining whether there is a new election. The bill is currently before a parliamentary joint select committee.

Augustine said, "The issue was never about whether we should return to the polls or not. The issue was always that we should work together in ensuring that we get Tobago's autonomy together and then return to the polls with a fresh mandate."

He observed that even with the bill passed in Parliament (House of Representatives - February 19, Senate - March 2) "we still cannot return to the polls immediately." Augustine said the question now is what happens to Tobago in the interim. President Paula-Mae Weekes gave her assent to the THA Bill on March 16 but it is yet to be proclaimed.

Recalling it was the PDP that proposed a power-sharing arrangement to resolve the impasse, Augustine said, "The current status of the talks is that the PNM has walked away from the bargaining table and has reverted to disinformation and bacchanal as their offering to the people of Tobago." He added the PNM rejected the PDP's offer for mediators to help both sides reach a resolution.

Augustine claimed, 'They are not interested in a deal to be made public. They want to continue with an undemocratic arrangement and remain as dictators over Tobago despite not receiving a majority of seats at the polls."