BYisrael: THA Bill does not solve assembly deadlock

Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) deputy political leader Dr Faith BYisrael has said the amendments to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Act do not address how the assembly is to be dissolved during a deadlock.

She addressed the issue on Thursday night during a panel discussion on the THA impasse, hosted by Tobago CivilNET.

Other panellists were independent senator Dr Maria Dillon-Remy and motivational speaker Julien Skeete. Dr Stephen Sheppard, CEO, Tobago Hospitality moderated the event.

The THA Amendment Bill seeks, in part, to increase from 12 to 15 the number of electoral districts in Tobago and give the Chief Secretary the power to call a fresh election.

The legislation was passed in the House of Representatives on February 19 and in the Senate on March 2.

It received the assent of President Paula-Mae Weekes on March 16.

The Cabinet is yet to decide when the bill should be proclaimed.

Referring to the legislation, BYisrael said: “With the two amendments that were made to the THA Act, my understanding is that neither of those two amendments speaks about what happens right now to dissolve the Tobago House of Assembly.

“It speaks about when we have this new assembly, if there is a tie that the old, outgoing Chief Secretary has the ability to basically call the shots and to go to the President and the Prime Minister and say ‘Let’s have a new election.”

BYisrael, who won the Goodwood/Belle Garden seat in the January 25 THA election, said she is not convinced that that provision applies in the current situation.

“So, our belief is that we still need to come together, unless Tobago is willing to wait for the other option for the dissolution of the assembly, which is the four-year anniversary.”

Commenting on the outcome of the THA election, BYisrael said Tobagonians have grown unhappy with the status quo over the years. The PNM has led the THA for the past two decades.

“I think the population, by the percentage of people who have been voting, really has been saying that they are not as happy with what has happened and have subsequently or in subsequent elections voted less than 50 per cent or very close to 50 per cent. That, in itself, says something about what the people are thinking.”

BYisrael said the deadlock provides an excellent opportunity for the assembly to advance Tobago’s autonomy.

“We believe now that it is a perfect opportunity and we should not waste this crisis.

“This is an opportunity to show Trinidad that Tobago is coming to have the discussions about Tobago’s economy and it is not just a partisan thing.

“I think that is the way we need to look at it so that we could all benefit from the current status.”