No PNM support for Tobago Self Government bill

Keith Rowley

The leader of the People's National Movement (PNM) has told supporters in Tobago his party won't support the Government on the Constitutional (Amendment) (Tobago) Bill 2012. Debate on the legislation begins on Wednesday.

Keith Rowley made the statement at a PNM political meeting in Mason Hall. "Well, I am putting all of you on notice. I am putting the country on notice; there will be no co-operation with the Government on this matter, none whatsoever," Rowley said.

Rowley stated that the PNM wants the government to set up a committee to study the bill and report within six months following which the matter should be debated in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) before going to  Parliament.

"And the make-up of the committee will be such that there will be proper representation by the Government, Opposition, Independent senators and by the THA majority, minority, if they so exist in the House," he said.

Rowley said the legislation as presented to the Parliament now is flawed.
"There is a clause in the bill that says Tobago will now be given the power to pass laws, but if you pass any law that is different to any existing law of the national Parliament, the law that you pass is void. So what do the people of Tobago get?" he asked.

He claimed that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is trying to fool the Opposition into signing onto a process, the details of which he was not aware.