Name of new Tobago political party expected on Monday

AS was the case two weeks ago, Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Tobago, will again be the focus of attention on April 17 (Monday) as supporters of THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and members of his executive are expected to formally announce the name of a new political party on the island. The event is scheduled to begin at 5 pm.

The entire executive had resigned from the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) on December 5, 2022, and declared themselves independents in the THA after a public fallout between Augustine and PDP political leader Watson Duke in August. Duke had accused the THA of failing to financially assist members of a Roxborough cultural group, which had visited New York to perform at an event. Duke is the assemblyman for Roxborough/Argyle.

At the April 4 meeting, titled A Call To Order, Augustine and his team met with hundreds of supporters at the complex with the intention of establishing a new political entity.

But after almost five hours of talks, no decisions were taken with respect to a name, party colour and symbol for the party.

On that occasion, Augustine, who has been asked to serve as the entity’s interim political leader, told reporters that numerous suggestions were put forward in relation to a name for the party but those were narrowed down significantly.

Saying that a five-member team would review the submissions and make a final determination, Augustine predicted Tobagonians would be very happy when it is up and running.

On Saturday, Ann Natasha Second, chair of the steering committee to facilitate the process, said at Monday’s meeting, the committee will receive its first report from the team.

“We expect to cast our vote to select the new party’s name, symbol, description, bearing in mind the search done to eliminate those that have already been taken at the EBC level,” she told Sunday Newsday.

‘The democratic principle of one man, one vote will be practised through secret ballot.”

She added people can still register if they want to be a part of the process.

Saying the date and circumstances for internal elections will be determined by the registered members of the convention, Second said the public will be informed and basic procedures relating to nominations and elections will be shared.

Details of the actual launch, she said, will also be shared publicly when a date has been determined.

Asked how critical is the establishment of a new party in Tobago, given all that has transpired within the PDP over the past eight months, Second said, “It is extremely important. The people of Tobago want improvements in the quality of services received. We also want a political organisation that is truly built by the people and that will prepare our people to manage the challenges of greater autonomy.”

She said a truly Tobago-based party, which is as financially independent as possible and informs policy from the ground up will reduce what she called the “power distance” that the more prominent national parties are experiencing.

Although Second could not give an estimate as to the percentage of the electorate that are actually in support of a new entity, she said, “People are curious, interested and cautious all at the same time. The electorate seems very excited.”

She urged Tobagonians to be part of “this unprecedented experience.”

Second said young people 15 years and over can`` join the party.

“Our overall philosophy is that once you are 15 years and over you can bring something to the table, we want you to register to be part of this new entity that we are creating – our party. We want everybody to get involved. Our ultimate goal is the upliftment of every Tobagonian.”

Second said once established, the party’s first order of business will be to heal the hurt of the past.

“Elections are very difficult and challenging experiences and you have a lot of hurt left over from it. So one of the things that we have challenged ourselves to do immediately is to start the process of healing.

“So everyone can come, our doors are open, whatever political organisation you belonged to before. If you are a ‘nowarian,’ this is the space for you. Let us all work together towards achieving our autonomy and being ready for it.”

Recapping the April 4 meeting, Second said, supporters got updates in relation to vision and mission statements, core values, goals and the development of the constitution.

She said integral to the democratic process, registered participants submitted their suggestions of names, symbols and rationale.

"The participants then selected a five-member team to further examine the final list of 11 submissions to return on Monday with recommendations for the most appropriate names, symbols and rationales/descriptions.”