A new attempt to grant the Caribbean island of Tobago greater self-governance has been blocked in a significant setback for local politicians who have long fought for more political and economic independence. This marks another chapter in Tobago’s decades-long struggle for increased autonomy within the twin-island state of Trinidad and Tobago, where the economy is heavily reliant on oil and gas production.

Tobago, a popular tourist destination, is governed by a central system alongside Trinidad, although it has its own House of Assembly. The island has been advocating for more control, including a larger share of the national budget and the ability to pass its own laws.

On Monday, a bill to expand the powers of Tobago’s House of Assembly was brought before parliament after years of political debate. However, it was blocked by opposition members who expressed concerns similar to those raised by Farley Augustine, the head of the Tobagonian government and leader of the People’s Party of Tobago. Augustine, who has been campaigning for a federal-style system, criticized the government’s amendments to the bill, calling them “inconsequential nonsense.”

Augustine accused the government of focusing on trivial issues like changing titles for leaders in Tobago, rather than addressing what he saw as more critical concerns. These included creating a true federal system, defining Tobago’s boundaries, establishing equality between the two islands, and giving Tobago the right to pass laws on local matters. Augustine has now vowed to take his fight for Tobago’s self-governance to the international stage, with plans to submit a letter of complaint to the United Nations.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley, leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM), expressed surprise at the opposition to the bill, which he said was the result of extensive consultations with various stakeholders. Senator Ancil Dennis, the PNM’s political leader in Tobago, also defended the bill, arguing that it reflected the will of the Tobagonian people. He noted that the proposal had undergone numerous consultations with both islands’ residents and experts, including legal and maritime specialists.

The bill aimed to increase Tobago’s annual share of the national budget from 4.03% to 6.8%, adding approximately $1.5 billion (about US$221 million). It also proposed removing the requirement for Tobago’s laws to be scrutinized and approved by central government before passing.

Dennis expressed disappointment over the failure of the bill, which he said would have given Tobago more legislative autonomy. He described the bill as a crucial step toward improving the existing 28-year-old arrangement, which he argued fell short of the expectations of the people of Tobago. “It’s extremely disappointing, having been on the cusp of history,” Dennis said, lamenting the missed opportunity for significant progress.

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