Ashworth Jack Continues as Leader of the TOP

In a media interview today Ashworth Jack made the long awaited announcement of his political future following the THA Elections.  

Ashworth Jack Leader of the
Tobago Organisation of the People

The leader of the TOP announced today that he would continue on as the leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP). After the humiliating defeat of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Election in which the People's National Movement (PNM) won all 12 seats, there was widespread speculation and calls for him to resign from being the leader. 

In his concession speech on the night of the historic elections, Jack accepted full responsibility for the outcome of the election and also promised to make a decision on his political future within 48 hours. It took longer than we expected, with Jack stating that he had to consult with all arms of the party and hear their views. He also wanted to consult the other members of the Partnership.

Having satisfied such criteria Jack called a media briefing to announce his decision. Jack indicated that he would have submitted his resignation as leader of the party but there was resistance to accept it, especially from the youth and women's arms.

He further noted that an Island Council meeting was held Monday night and the party he formed asked him to withdraw his resignation.

As a result of the party's position  I withdrew my resignation, Jack stated. Therefore Jack has been cleared to continue as leader of the TOP. As such Jack would  continue to lead the party in Tobago and be its main representative within the People's Partnership coalition government.

Jack to Announce His Political Future next Tuesday

Ashworth Jack the leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) is expected to break his silence about his political future. Party sources have indicated that this would be done next week Tuesday. In a brief interview with the T&T Guardian last Wednesday, Jack confirmed he was still meeting with members of the TOP to discuss his future.

  

Ashworth Jack, Leader of the
Tobago Organisation of the People

Jack in his concession speech told the media that he took full responsibility for the TOP's defeat, adding that the party will assess where it went wrong and all decisions regarding his future role in the party and politics in general would be under consideration. He further stated that he would make a decision regarding his political future within 48 hours. To date more than a week later, there have been no public statement about his future as leader and about his political career. 

There have been many calls for Jack to step aside, with some saying his defeat was a clear sign the Tobago electorate had rejected his leadership and he should allow someone else to lead the party forward. However, there have been no public calls or statement from the TOP membership. 

Party sources said a meeting of various members took place on Wednesday, with the leader Jack admitting that various members and groups within the TOP had requested to meet with him and he had agreed. However, he indicated that he did not want to make any comment about the meetings only that he had already met with the TOP's Youth Group members and the Executive. 

On Monday the last of those meetings is expected to be held, after which TOP will hold a news conference on Tuesday, where Jack will address his political future.

Blame Me: Ashwoth Jack Considers Political Future

Ashworth Jack

IN 48 hours, political leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) Ashworth Jack will make a decision on his political future.

Jack, speaking at the TOP's party headquarters at Scarborough last night at around 10.35 p.m., conceded defeat and extended congratulations to the People’s National Movement (PNM) and his political opponent, Orville London. 

Jack, who looked tearful, said he accepts full blame for the TOP’s convincing defeat.

“In the next couple of days, I will meet with the executive of the TOP to assess what has happened and I will assess my own future in terms of the politics,” he said.

Asked whether this meant he will bow out of politics completely, he said, “I have to speak to the party and, based on how the rest of the party feels, I will make a decision based on that. I would not want to become an albatross around the neck of the party, if that is how the party feels I will gracefully deal with it.”

For 16 years Jack had been the representative of the people of Mason Hall/Providence/Moriah, he lost his seat yesterday to the PNM. He last served as the Minority Leader of the THA and boasted during the election campaign that he had turned down an offer of a position as a government senator to become the next chief secretary.

Asked if he expected to lose his seat, Jack said he was “shocked” by the outcome, but democracy prevails. 

“I think if you asked me personally what we did wrong I wouldn’t be able to tell you off-hand, I think we did everything that I think was necessary for Tobago’s development and the people have spoken, in a democracy we have to respect the views of the people,” he said.

“Let me also say to the chairman and the rest of the organisation, I take full responsibility for whatever the outcome of this election is. I blame no candidate, I blame no member of the executive, I blame no other member of the party, I take full responsibility as the leader of the party for the results of this election,” he added.

He reiterated that the future of the TOP will be determined by whatever decision he makes in two days.

“For every victory, for every defeat there are lessons to be learnt,” said Jack. 

Before Jack’s arrival, shock and disappointment were all over the faces of supporters of the TOP’s camp.

The TOP office was visibly not prepared for any celebration in contrast to the PNM camp, located a short distance away. TOP supporters were glued to the television set, and as the preliminary results came in, sadness grew.

Even before the final vote was counted, supporters of the PNM were out in the streets dancing, ringing bells and celebrating sweet victory- in front of the TOP’s office.

TOP chairman Lionel Coker told the Express the party is willing to work with the PNM for Tobago’s development.

The TOP’s aggressive advertising campaign dwarfed the PNM election machinery, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and several government ministers endorsing the TOP, a coalition partner in the ruling People’s Partnership.

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress