London: People's Partnership wants early electionChief Secretary of Tobago, Orville London has expressed concern that the People's Partnership wants to use the planned constitutional reform to call an early election in Tobago. Constitutional reform has been on the agenda in Tobago for some time and the Tobago House of Assembly is in the process of drafting a document on Tobago's position. However, Minister of Tobago Development has stated that constitutional change is part of her 120 day plan and hopes to have a document before Parliament soon. In response to a question posed by a young person at his party's public youth forum at the Work's Conference room on Monday, London said he will use every legal option to resist any move to use the changes to the THA Act to demand an election. He believes that much of the popularity the partnership was experiencing will change after the 2010 budget. "They are not going to ask for an election except they feel they can win it; and therefore, I am saying that after the budget of 2010, when all of us young people and not so young people, recognise that the world under the People's Partnership, is not going to be as comfortable as under the People's National Movement, and people begin to clamour, as they will for a return of the better times, I am taking you a bet that they are not going to be as eager to call an early elections," London said. London also dealt with the issue of the establishment of a Ministry of Tobago Development, emphatically stating that it was an 'insult to the people of Tobago'. "It is an insult to Tobago, it is an insult to Arthur ANR Robinson, it is an insult to Hochoy Charles, it is an insult to any Tobagonian who considers himself a Tobagonian and is proud of the fact that he is a Tobagonian," the Deputy PNM Political leader charged. Describing the ministry as a danger to the future of young people, he called on his troops to send a strong signal that the establishment of the Ministry was not welcomed. "Let's suppose it reaches to the point where the Ministry of Tobago Development is almost in charge of Tobago and she is replaced by Jenny Ramsingh next week, what is the position of us in Tobago," London argued. He reiterated that it was the Ministry and not the Minister that has the authority and it therefore sets a dangerous precedent. "We are therefore naïve as Tobagonians to believe that because a Tobagonian is in charge, and you can bring John James or Jenny Ramsingh from Trinidad, I want to know how Tobagonians will take it," he added. |
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Anonymous said on Saturday, Sep 4 at 12:57 PM
Orville is dis-ingenious.... if he truly thinks "the popularity the partnership was experiencing will change after the 2010 budget. " then he ought to be glad for early elections so he can win again! All I see the PP gov't doing so far is doing the right thing by the people. I can't see them losing the election unless they do something really really stupid.
51264643Neil said on Thursday, Sep 2 at 11:15 AM
I way I see it is that Tobago wants to have their cake and eat it too. They want special treatment, why? Just because they are a separate land mass. There are so many areas in Trinidad itself that are ignored or get less service and money from central government than Tobago. Tobago only have about 50-60,000 people whereas Trinidad had over 1 million, do the math. Some areas like Erin or Cedros or even Morvant get less attention and have more land mass and people. Tobago wants what the white people gave to the blacks in America, separate but equal, only in theory though, and where has it gotten them. If Tobago wants self-autonomy, let them have it and be done with, see how they would survive. Let them separate themselves from Trinidad. Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it. Haiti comes to mind.
51120079Glen said on Thursday, Sep 2 at 3:34 AM
Why is London speaking as though he and his party had ell over ten years of political power to shore up the constitutional position of Tobago. Oh and Orville...Jenny Ramsingh? Come now man this is the most banal form of political debating. But hey blind the people with foolishness, shrewd politics man, very shrewd.
51098274George said on Tuesday, Aug 31 at 9:53 PM
It sounds like Mr. London is being bias and racists. Does it matter who leads Tobago once they are qualified. I do not understand this kind of thinking. It incites racism. So what if Tobago is being run by Jenny Ramsingh as long as she is doing a good job. What about unity and all of us are one. Some politicians continue to promote racism, sad!
51008329Squeak said on Monday, Aug 30 at 2:31 PM
@ Renee, I totally agree with u Renee and we all know that this is as a result of the government in power now!!!
50904654Trini Taking Over Tobago said on Saturday, Aug 28 at 10:31 PM
Yes am is about time We Take Tobago back... Thank you Mrs Prim Minster for Bringing Tobago back under control. All are we is one family !!!
50821108Daniel said on Thursday, Aug 26 at 2:23 PM
Is there a ministry of trinidad Affairs by chance. This is something I always always disliked. This is Trinidad and Tobago and from where I sit that position should not exist.
50670298Tobago Girl said on Sunday, Aug 22 at 12:29 AM
I agree with Mr. London. The Tobago House of Assembly Act in the fifth schedule outlines the areas of responsibility of the Assembly. In drafting this legislation it was the clear intention to allow the Assembly to run the affairs of Tobago when it came to certain matters (excluded are matters of national security, foreign affairs etc). The establishment of a Ministry of Tobago Affairs that supposedly makes budgetary allocations to the THA, attempts to bring THRA under its ambit and conduct other business that should be done at least with the collaboration of the THA is a retrogressive step that attempts to strip the THA of its functions and place them back into the hands of a Ministry in Trinidad.
50345679Anonymous said on Friday, Aug 20 at 3:24 PM
The previous dormant Ministry of Tobago Affairs; with the minister who only drank water in parliament and was silent. Hmmmmm.
50256789Renee said on Friday, Aug 20 at 1:57 PM
it is unfair for the THA to disregard the Ministry of Tobago Development . For under the previous goverment we had a minister of Tobago Affairs . So tell me what really is the difference is it the name or is it because of the government in power now
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