Steps are being taken to give Tobago a stronger voice in the Upper House, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announcing a proposal to amend the Constitution to guarantee the island two seats in the Senate.
Under the Constitution, Tobago is guaranteed two elected seats in the House of Representatives. However, there is currently no corresponding guarantee for representation in the Senate.
Speaking at the opening of the East Terminal of the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport in Tobago, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar announced the proposal, which she said represents a step towards greater empowerment, fairness and constitutional recognition for Tobago.
“My government proposes to introduce legislation in our Parliament to amend our Constitution to guarantee Tobago two Senate seats, and this will be in addition to your two guaranteed seats in the House. We will have to see all the Parliamentarians vote.”
Under the current Senate arrangements, all 31 senators are appointed by the President: 16 on the advice of the Prime Minister, six on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and nine Independent Senators appointed at the President’s discretion.
The Prime Minister said the proposal is being advanced as part of the Government’s commitment to recognising Tobago as an equal partner.
“The President of the Republic, whoever he or she may be, whichever party put them or don’t put them, that in addition to appointing nine Senators, out of those nine Senators, at least two must be from the island of Tobago. At least two. So under this Constitutional amendment, our proposal is two of those nine Senate seats filled by the President, in the discretion of the President, must be from the island of Tobago. This means alongside Tobago’s two elected members, Tobago would have two Constitutionally guaranteed Senate seats.”