Augustine hails new TPP executive: We're ready for general election

The Tobago People Party (TPP) is ready for the next general election, according to the party’s newly elected political leader Farley Augustine.

Augustine made the statement on July 8 as he announced the official results of the party's internal elections, held on July 7, at their TLH building headquarters in Scarborough.

Augustine, who was elected unopposed, said, “I noted recently, the Prime Minister seemed pretty anxious, seemed as if his palm is scratching him or his pocket is scratching him, so I urge him to pull the date out of his back pocket, side pocket, front pocket, shirt pocket – wherever he have it hiding, because we are certainly ready.

"We have been ready, and clearly for Tobago and the world, this is just another symbol of how organised we are and how we are managing this organisation in a democratic fashion.”

Augustine reminisced on his exit from the Watson Duke-led Progressive Democratic Patriots, noting that sometimes chaos presents the perfect storm for which good things can be birthed.

“Two and a half years ago when we started this journey, we did not start this journey thinking we would be at TLH or that we would be with a different structure, but the circumstances necessitates that we are here today. Subsequent to the much public maybe even international-renowned falling out that happened within the former party, we sought to return to the ground and ask Tobagonians to form themselves a party for which no one can lay ownership except the people of Tobago.”

He said the people decided on the name, the symbol, the colour, the constitution and now those who would lead. He said the process was transparent as he thanked all those who offered themselves.

“I would be calling on all candidates – successful and unsuccessful – for us to meet because I would want to use the talents of all of you. All of you are equally talented. I did not support any slate in this election, I allowed the people and God to decide, and I will work with whomever was decided upon.”

He said later this week, he would announce his deputies as the constitution allows one to be elected and two to the appointed by the political leader.

The new executive of the TPP:

Political Leader - Farley Augustine

Deputy Political Leader - Dr Faith BYisrael

Chairman - Ann Second

Deputy Chairman - Joel Sampson

Party Treasurer - Orlando Kerr

Assistant Party Treasurer - Marlon Radgman

General Secretary - Pearl Alman-George

Assistant General Secretary - Jacqueline Adams

Public Relations and Communications Officer - Tynielle Jack

Elections Officer - Otis Noel

Membership & Mobilisation Officer - Ackel Franklyn

Education, Research and Training Officer - Sean McCoon