[UPDATED] President calls for self-government for Tobago

President Christine Kangaloo has called for the issue of Tobago's autonomy to be prioritised.

Addressing Tobagonians during her inaugural visit to the island on Wednesday, the President said it was time to give Tobago the self-government it deserves.

She was speaking at a special session of the Tobago House of Assembly.

She said she had not addressed the topic at the opening of the new parliamentary session in Trinidad because she wanted to raise it with the Tobagonian community first, noting that the issue was not new.

“Let me assure you that the matter of autonomy for Tobago is one that I regard as absolutely critical to the proper development of our country," she said.

"Today, on September 27, 2023, let me say to the people of Tobago, in Tobago, in this most esteemed forum, that, like the chief secretary, that I too think it is time for us to revive matters concerning the autonomy for Tobago."

Kangaloo said every single chairman and chief secretary had raised the issue, adding that it was the most burning issue in the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago, and it was not in the least bit surprising that it was so.

“The issue emerged the moment that in a manner in which our two islands were joined together, not by the instinctive and spontaneous will of the people but by a tactical and strategic manoeuvre of a colonial power who propagated and ordered in counsel in 1898 and declared that our two islands should be joined with effect from January 1, 1899. Like so many unions at that time, ours was a union of socio-economic and political convenience, it was a union imposed upon our people from on high. To our credit, we have worked hard since then to make successful a marriage that has been made good for us by an imperial power that controlled us at the time. But for that marriage to be a healthy and successful marriage today, the parties to it must as all successful marriages require to each develop their own independent identities and fulfil their individual potential.”

She said the question of autonomy for Tobago was a question of how to let each be alone yet remain a part of the same indivisible whole, and all the while, “quiver with the same music of a single national identity.

“I believe that at this juncture of our country’s history, our task the signalled important of which has escaped neither the chief secretary nor me is to fight to keep the question of Tobago’s autonomy on the national agenda and to strain every muscle in us to struggle for its achievement and tension until it is advanced and achieved.”

She said in doing so, there was a need to build on past attempts at legislative measures to secure Tobago’s autonomy, as she noted that there have been many such attempts. However, she said there needs to be more attempts.

“I believe that the time has come for there to be a new, and it is hoped, a finer legislative push to secure autonomy for Tobago. That time is now, and history would not absolve us if we – those who sit where we do at this time in our nation’s history do not do that which is required to secure Tobago’s autonomy once and for all.”

She added: “Having arrived at where we are in this long and arduous struggle, what is now required is for us to push our representatives both in the Assembly in Tobago and in the Parliament in Port Of Spain to take us over the finish line.

“Today, I give you the assurance that I would continue to lend my own voice to the rising chorus of all those who seek better constitutional arrangements for the people of Tobago in which Tobago’s identity and individual aspirations are not only expected but are supported.”

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

President Christine Kangaloo has called for the issue of Tobago's autonomy to be prioritised.

Addressing Tobagonians during her inaugural visit to the island on Wednesday, the President said it is time to give Tobago the self-government it deserves.

She was speaking at a special session of the Tobago House of Assembly.

She said she had not addressed the topic at the opening of the new parliamentary session in Trinidad because she wanted to raise it with the Tobagonian community first, noting that the issue was not new.

“Let me assure you that the matter of autonomy for Tobago is one that I regard as absolutely critical to the proper development of our country," she said. "Today, on September 27, 2023, let me say to the people of Tobago, in Tobago, in this most esteemed forum, that, like the chief secretary, that I too think it is time for us to revive matters concerning the autonomy for Tobago."

Kangaloo said every single chairman and chief secretary had raised the issue, adding that it is the most burning issue in the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago, and it is not in the least bit surprising that it is so.