In a bold political forecast, Housing Minister Anil Roberts has projected a comprehensive electoral triumph for the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) in the forthcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections scheduled for January 12. The prediction emerged during Senate deliberations on the Finance Bill 2025 on December 9, where Roberts engaged in heated exchanges with Opposition senators.
Roberts systematically dismantled claims by PNM senators that the United National Congress (UNC) government had performed poorly since its April 28 general election victory. The UNC secured 26 parliamentary seats compared to PNM’s 13, with the TPP capturing two seats—creating an unconventional seating arrangement where TPP legislators occupy government benches despite no formal coalition agreement.
The minister employed sharp sarcasm when referencing PNM’s electoral prospects, stating: ‘I expect the people of Tobago on January 12 will bring the PNM back’—a remark met with knowing laughter from government benches. He contextualized his prediction by recalling the PNM’s devastating 14-1 defeat by the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) in the 2021 THA elections, noting that most PDP representatives subsequently defected to form the TPP in August 2023.
Roberts attributed the anticipated TPP landslide to public disillusionment with PNM’s governance approach, accusing them of prioritizing ‘friends, family and financiers’ over public welfare. He vehemently defended Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar against claims of ethnic bias, praising her inclusive cultural policies and broad popular support.
The political theater intensified as Roberts addressed temporary Opposition Senator Mustapha Abdul-Hamid—returning to Parliament after a 15-year absence—declaring that even the symbolic resurrection of PNM founder Dr. Eric Williams would fail to revitalize the party. Government senators expressed vigorous approval through desk-thumping applause as Roberts concluded that the population would never permit another PNM administration.