Speak now
Thursday, November 9th 2006
http://www.thetobagonews.com/index.pl/article?id=9167262

Next Friday Tobagonians would have an opportunity to say what a new Republican Constitution should contain for our beautiful island of Tobago.

Former President of the Republic Sir Ellis Clarke along with respected Queen's Counsel Tajmool Hosein will chair a meeting with the local Tobago media to discuss the draft Constitution, which Sir Ellis did at the request of Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

Sir Ellis has gone at lengths to explain that it was his draft, which he did uninfluenced by the thinking of the current administration but what he thought was a workable document for the country. However, people perceived, rightly or not that it was a document representing the views of the ruling People's National Movement.

During the past few years Tobagonians, especially "soap box" commentators, as well as radio and television panelists have been advocating a wide host of governance for our beloved paradise island. Some of these ranged from an independent Tobago, a Federal State within the twin island Republic and even secession.

Sir Ellis and eminent Senior Counsel Hosein will meet the media at the Mount Irvine Bay Hotel for most of the day from 10 a.m. and we urge those radio and television people who have been vocal on the issue of Tobago's constitutional needs to attend the session.

In the same way, we urge members of the public to accept the invitation issued to them via news reporting and advertisements in the Tobago News to attend the sessions at the Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive Secondary School next Friday afternoon and the Roxborough Composite School the following day to make their views known to the panel and the nation at large.

Two weeks ago there was a lively exchange of views at the Constitution Reform Forum hosted discussion, which was reported in our last issue and we urge the participants to take this to the higher level where it mattered most.

To us it makes no sense brooding over the way those in authority went about implementing the exercise. We feel sure that Tobagonians would like to hear from our leaders what they feel should be included in our new Constitution that would be meaningful to our paradise island. We therefore urge them not to abdicate their responsibility as representatives of our people and boldly come forward and voice their opinion. Silence may be the golden rule for them but history may not forgive them if they choose to remain so on the Constitutional arrangement between Tobago and Trinidad. They would dare not in years to come to open their mouths in discontent over any such provisions for Tobago.

Speak now or forever hold thy peace!