Mixed reactions from Tobago stakeholders

The rejection of the Tobago autonomy bills in Parliament has left the island’s politicians and stakeholders pointing fingers, with some saying the bills’ return to the House was nothing but a show.

While some argued yesterday that political games and division caused their failure, others believe the bills wouldn’t have brought any real change.

Tobago House of Assembly Minority Leader Kelvon Morris called the outcome a “deeply disappointing moment for Tobago,” placing blame squarely on the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) for prioritising “political self-interest” over the island’s push for greater self-governance.

He also bashed Chief Secretary Farley Augustine for what he described as “political manoeuvring and a lack of unity,” which he said dealt the final fatal blow to the bills.

“This will forever be a stain on Tobago’s quest for autonomy,” Morris said, while commending the People’s National Movement (PNM) MPs for their votes toward the bill.

Despite the setback, he encouraged Tobagonians not to lose hope, saying, “This is not the end of our fight. We live to dream another day.”

However, Innovative Democratic Alliance (IDA) leader De Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus welcomed the rejection of the bills, arguing that the proposed legislation would not have improved the lives of ordinary Tobagonians.

“These bills do not guarantee the man on the street a better quality of life. They give more dominance to Cabinet and the Executive Council while ignoring the needs of communities.”

Tsoiafatt-Angus also criticised Augustine’s approach, calling his last-minute use of WhatsApp to communicate with MPs and the prime minister as “disturbing and embarrassing.”

She called for a broader and more inclusive process saying, “This is not about your opinion, Chief Secretary. It’s not even about party politics. It must be a Tobago position.”

Tobago Business Chamber chairman Martin George was not surprised by the outcome, describing the autonomy efforts as a “political charade” in this instance. He accused politicians of using the issue as a “political football” while failing to achieve meaningful reforms.

George said, “It appears that with the regular charade of these bills being brought forth and the shenanigans which accompany them, you know, it’s been played out once again in the national parliament. And too often, it appears that, you know, the political leaders use this as a political football, and they have.

He added: “Tobagonians chasing behind the ball, running up and down the field while they keep shifting the goal post on them each time so that it becomes impossible to score.”

He felt it was time Tobago focuses on financial autonomy, explaining that financial independence would empower Tobago to make its own decisions.

“Once you’re financially autonomous, you don’t need to ask anyone for permission to pursue independence,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce chairman Curtis Williams said more time was needed to educate the public and address concerns raised by the THA.

“We needed more time to understand how these bills could benefit businesses and the wider Tobago public.”

Williams called for a focus on increasing funding and ensuring future proposals are transparent and inclusive.

Senator Ancil Dennis, political leader of the PNM’s Tobago Council, condemned the UNC’s role in the bills’ failure and criticised Augustine for undermining the process with “jokey amendments.”

Dennis, in a social media post, compared the situation to 1996, saying Tobago remains trapped under the inadequate Tobago House of Assembly Act 40 of 1996, with limited budgetary allocations and no legislative powers.

“This is a sad day for Tobago. I do not know if we will get another chance to fix this injustice in my lifetime,” he said.

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