By Raffique Shah
January 17, 2026

The first time I intervened in Tobago’s politics was in their first Tobago House of Assembly election in 1980. In my innocence, I thought it was a harmless gesture that should have offended no one. This was the latest attempt at constitutional change that should have given the island a greater degree of autonomy, much like self-government.

In the earlier 1976 general election for Trinidad and Tobago, we had reached an agreement of sorts with ANR Robinson’s Democratic Action Congress (DAC) to not contest the two Tobago seats. However, we felt it was necessary that we have a presence in the sister isle.
Continue reading No war over Tobago →