Veteran political figure Ancil Dennis, the outgoing leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council and former Chief Secretary of Tobago, has announced he will not stand for any party position in the upcoming PNM internal election, bringing a formal close to his latest chapter in frontline partisan leadership.
In a public statement posted to social media yesterday, titled “Grateful, Grounded, Moving Forward”, Dennis made clear that while he would not seek office in the April 26 vote, he remains a committed member of the PNM. “I will be voting. I am a member of the PNM and I will be voting in the internal election. I will be voting for the PNM,” he emphasized in his address.
Reflecting on his decades-long political career and recent electoral experience, Dennis shared philosophical insights on victory, defeat and the nature of democratic leadership. He argued that true leadership is not measured only by election wins, but by the grace to accept loss, engage in honest self-reflection, and grow through setbacks. “Winning teaches you confidence, but losing teaches you truth,” he wrote. “Winning convinces you that effort always equals reward; losing reminds you that politics moves in cycles larger than any one person.”
Dennis drew a parallel between his first entry into electoral politics in 2013 and his most recent race. Back in 2013, he won a seat in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) representing the Buccoo/Mt Pleasant district with 1,802 votes, a moment he described as feeling like “arrival; validation, momentum, purpose.” Earlier this year, he contested the same largely unchanged district with the same dedication to local constituents, but faced a very different final result.
Calling the moment the end of one chapter and the start of another, Dennis expressed deep pride in the policy accomplishments of his tenure as Chief Secretary. Among his key achievements, he highlighted meaningful progress in strengthening Tobago’s agricultural sector: expanding local production, delivering targeted support to smallholder farmers, and repositioning agriculture as a core pillar of the island’s long-term economic resilience. He also pointed to decisive regulatory reforms at the Buccoo marine park, which brought greater transparency, accountability and order to the popular natural site, balancing protection of Tobago’s environmental assets with new safety and sustainability standards for operators and visitors. Dennis acknowledged these reforms were often politically challenging, but maintained they were critical decisions made in the best interest of Tobago’s future development.
Dennis framed political power as a temporary public trust rather than a permanent asset. “Power is borrowed, never owned. Seats are held temporarily. What lasts is character; how you win, how you lose, and whether you respect the rhythm of democracy when it turns against you,” he added.
He extended sincere gratitude to the residents of Buccoo/Mt Pleasant and all Tobagonians who supported him throughout his career. “I want to thank you; to the people of Buccoo/Mt Pleasant and Tobago by extension; who trusted me, challenged me, supported me, and walked this journey with me over the years,” he said. He also thanked his political team, who he said stood by him during the most difficult periods, stayed committed when abandoning the cause would have been easier, and gave their full effort without any guarantee of personal gain.
Looking ahead to the future of the PNM Tobago Council, Dennis offered unreserved encouragement and support to the emerging generation of leaders running in the internal election. He reminded new candidates that leadership is not just about holding public office, but about earning public trust, making unpopular but necessary choices, and prioritizing service to the community over personal advancement. “You will face pressure, criticism, and moments of doubt,” he said. “Meet them with courage, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose. Tobago’s future will, in many ways, be shaped by your choices, and I am confident that, if you remain focused on the greater good, you will rise to the occasion. I stand ready, where appropriate, to support in the continued development and advancement of our island.”
When asked by local outlet *Trinidad and Tobago Express* about his own personal plans, Dennis confirmed he intends to launch a new private business venture in the near future.