Division in Tobago PNM

Screams, hoots and jeers could be heard as reporters gathered for the weekly press conference.

Close to 20 protestors with placards loudly voiced their disagreement with the party’s candidate Marslyn Jack as they chanted, “we want Angus, we don’t want no Jack”, repeatedly.

At last Wednesday’s selection of candidates, Jack a former educator was given the nod over the current THA Councillor and Secretary of Community Development and Culture Dr Denise Tsoi-a-fatt Angus to contest the electoral district.

Labelling the screening process as unfair, one spokesperson for the group, James Trim said that Dr Tsoi-a-fatt Angus was favoured by the majority as she received the highest number of votes, causing her to secure three of the four party groups, but according to him, “this was not enough to satisfy the screening committee.” He claimed that Tobago party members are breaking the Party’s constitution. “We believe the rules are being broken.

The deceased Political Leader Patrick Manning had the power to veto anybody who was not on his side, that law has now changed. But today we are seeing people being selected despite not being accepted by the votes of party groups.

Imagine if this is how they are behaving as heads of the PNM Tobago Council, how would they behave if they are elected into the THA, a protestor said.

Another protester shouted a warning to the PNM. “Anytime they don’t give us Angus, we are prepared to vote for the PDP (Progressive Democratic Patriots)...we have to teach them a lesson. We want Angus, we don’t want no Jack!” But PNM Tobago Chairman Stanford Callendar, when questioned on the issue, said the party remains unmoved by “these protestors”, as he stressed the party executives will not be intimidated.

“The screening committee of the Tobago Council is the authority in terms of selection of candidates.

What is happening is a clear demonstration of our democracy.

People are free to demonstrate, but one of the things I can tell you as chairman of this party is that the Chairman and this party by extension will not be intimidated by those type of conduct.

“You see, the party’s constitution is crystal clear, the members, whether it is at the party group’s level or the council’s level can make their recommendation but the authority is with the council’s screening committee of the Tobago arm of the PNM,” Callender said. Questioned further on the issue of democracy, Callendar said the decision of the screening committee is final.

Making an entrance during the protest was Political Leader of the PDP Watson Duke. He told the protesting PNMites that they are welcome to join his organisation.

“They have a right to choose who they want to represent them and they who are in charge have a right to listen to these people.

I am saying, if they do not get who they want, they can come by the PDP, we want to represent them and we want their support,” Duke said.