Elections
IDA Political Leader Dr. Denise Tsoiafatt-angus Says Two Tobago Seats Are Enough To Advocate For Greater Autonomy
Scarborough, Tobago – IDA political leader Dr. Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus says winning two seats is enough to bring about greater autonomy for Tobago. She was responding to comments from PNM Tobago Council political leader Ancil Dennis, who claimed that unless the Tobago East and West seats are aligned with a larger national party holding the majority in Parliament, it would be difficult to effectively advocate for autonomy.
According to Dr. Tsoiafatt-Angus, it has been done before—by the DAC’s Arthur N.R. Robinson and Dr. Winston Murray in 1977—and it can happen again. However, she believes this is only possible if the elected MPs are truly independent and not aligned with a major political party. She argued that both Dennis and Augustine convinced voters to elect their respective parties into government on promises of greater autonomy but ultimately failed to deliver. Dr. Tsoiafatt-Angus believes that true autonomy depends on democracy, which is why she is urging Tobagonians to elect representatives who will advocate for the island, rather than for political parties.
