Tobago People's Party launch on Sunday at 'stage in the sea'

THE Tobago People’s Party (TPP) hosts its launch on Sunday at the "stage in the sea," Scarborough, from 5pm.

Earlier this week, images of the party’s symbol – a predominantly blue montage of an anchor, trees, ocean and an island – were posted on Facebook. The text on the image read: A Sea Of Change Is Coming.

During a function on July 2 at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, the TPP’s interim political leader, had told reporters the party would be launched in early August and ratify its constitution.

He also said the party has been registered with the Elections and Boundaries Commission.

The TPP was established in April, four months after Augustine and his executive resigned from the Watson Duke-led Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) and declared themselves independents in the THA.

The PDP won an overwhelming 14-1 victory over the PNM in the December 6, 2021, THA election. But eight months later, Duke accused the administration of failing to assist a Roxborough cultural group who had gone to New York to perform.

Duke subsequently fired Augustine, as well as Secretary of Health, Wellness and Social Protection Dr Faith BYisrael and Alicia Roberts-Patterson as deputy party leaders. He also resigned as deputy chief secretary and was replaced by BYisrael.

The news about a new political party in Tobago began circulating on Facebook on March 27. The team met on April 4 and 17.

There were plans to reveal a party name, symbol and colour at the second meeting. But when that meeting ended, Augustine said only the party’s name would be revealed.

The laaunch venue, the stage in the sea, on Milford Road, on the Scarborough waterfront, was one of several controversial infrastructural projects undertaken by the THA ahead of Tobago's inaugural Carnival last October. Built for $1,758,350, it was meant to be a picture-taking location for masqueraders and onlookers.