Duke as Chief Secretary

Not in Tobago. But Tobago, always 99% cleaner looking than Trinidad, remains green, but not politically serene. The scramble for control of the Tobago House of Assembly is now in the final days with elections carded for January 23rd. Tobago is important because Tobago is where we plant and grow many of our successful political leaders. So in the final stages of this important race, we must now move beyond platform promises and consider the prospects of the contenders. Hopeful of winning the post of Chief Secretary, Tobago House of Assembly are Christlyn Moore, Tobago Forwards, Eudine Job-Davis, Movement for Transformation, Kelvin V. Charles, Head of the Peoples National Movement in Tobago and Watson Duke of the Progressive Democratic Party.

It is crucial for the opposition to have a political toe hold in Tobago in preparation for general elections due in 2020. However, Mr Duke’s political aspirations have seen him set to self destruct. Like Icarus, flying too close to the sun, he has unstuck his own political trajectory by having allegations against him that are yet to be determined in a court of law.

So, what is to be determined is if the Tobago electorate will vote in favour of a previously considered brilliant young man who was allegedly foolish enough to believe himself untouchable. Allegations are like mud. They stick. Will a Chief Secretary be allowed to travel outside of Trinidad and Tobago if he has court matters pending? He should not be promising what he might not be able to deliver.

Lynette Joseph Diego Martin