Young, measured and thoughtful Farley Augustine could emerge as the antidote to the ageing, abrasive and aloof Dr. Keith Rowley.
Augustine’s responsible carriage and refreshing tone were major factors in his emerging political party’s epic defeat of the PNM warhorse, in Rowley’s stomping ground.
To be sure, PDP’s victory is a momentous development in national politics.
After all, Rowley has sought to cultivate an image as Tobago’s “ah wee” boy, a successor of sorts to favoured sons A.P.T. “Fargo” James and A.N.R. Robinson.
He has arguably spent more time on the sister isle than any previous prime minister, occupying a refurbished official residence and golf courses, and he regularly exalts various communities, from his autobiography to his typically high-strung speeches.
He presents himself as a grassroots farmer, and under his administration, Tobagonian contractors have ascended.
He gave all to the PNM’s Tobago House of Assembly election campaign, brazenly promising goodies even as tens of thousands of nationals are either jobless or have been forced to put up shutters on their business places.
Two-bit Tobago politicians would take the fall – never outshine the master, Sun Tzu counselled – but the PNM’s embarrassing defeat is the handiwork of a leader who is becoming long in the tooth.
Tobagonians are characterised by, among other things, unity of purpose, resolve and regard for leaders who are fiercely committed to their cause.
For his unending obligation to the island, Robinson is the supreme role model.
Rowley may be excused for several governance failures, but residents recall how he ridiculed commentators – “the ferry, the ferry, the ferry” – as the inter-island boat service collapsed, causing business closures and loss of jobs.
Hundreds of Tobagonians scrambled to put food on the table, a blow to their honoured sense of pride and independent spirit.
Tobago remains absent from the tourism map, even as Barbados, St. Kitts-Nevis (SKN) and other Caribbean tourism destinations have innovated their respective products and are again welcoming airlines and cruise ships.
SKN, which saw one million cruise tourists each year before the pandemic, recently ushered in 1,417 holidaymakers on a Celebrity Cruise vessel – and many more are packing their vacation gears.
While Trinidad and Tobago has one of the worst Covid-19 death rates in the world, St. Lucia has just announced plans – after elaborate stakeholder consultations – for a full-vaxxed Carnival 2022.
The region’s most inspirational leader Mia Mottley devised an ingenious plan, which she detailed as “Come to Barbados, spend some time and work from here. Conduct your business from here.”
In contrast, most hotel and guest house rooms in Tobago have been vacant for long months, their loyal and trained staff sent home to suck salt and stare at the ocean.
The refusal to alter strategy or protocols in the anti-Covid-19 crusade – and retention of the bungling Health Minister – has created angst on both islands.
The unending crime spree and the national economic collapse are not matched by moderate language and resolute action from the prime minister.
His awful temperament and be-damned manner are a scourge of our times, unsuited to a people making their way in a world of formidable challenges.
Empathy is a hard grind, and, therefore, truth and reconciliation do not flow easily.
Rowley and his handlers have also been undone by the vigilance of well-regarded Tobago influencers, most notably Diane Hadad and Martin George.
The PNM was also outfoxed by Watson Duke’s calm demeanour and measured language; who knew he was capable of playing nice?
When Rowley last week suborned the State broadcaster, it was clear he was panicking; the wandering and indignant spiel was a political gift to Duke and Augustine.
In comparison, a few days ago in Canada, I witnessed poise and discretion as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met the media – for no more than 10 minutes – to announce a diplomatic boycott of the winter Olympics.
But Farley’s meteoric rise does not necessarily mean the emergence of a new political order or a prospective national leader; he has a high hill to climb.
He would be frustrated, even sabotaged, by the central government.
Already, three ministers are throwing darts at him, and an ex-minister – defined in office by inaction – has targeted Duke.
The Tobago results also mean nothing to the UNC, which must confront leadership issues and remodel itself to embody, represent and advocate for all in our diverse land.
For now, though, Farley Augustine is an exciting political spark and a promising foil to a haughty leader in a troubled land.
We must all wish him well.
