Progressive Democratic Patriots

Progressive Democratic Patriots
AbbreviationPDP
LeaderWatson Duke
ChairpersonSean Alexander Nedd
FounderWatson Solomon Duke
FoundedDecember 2015 (2015-12)
HeadquartersPortmall, Milford Road, Scarborough, Saint Andrew, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago
IdeologyTobago autonomism[1]
Tobago independence
Colors  Green
  Black
Senate
0 / 31
House of Representatives
0 / 41
Tobago House of Assembly
1 / 15
Website
pdptobago.org

The Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) is a political party in Trinidad and Tobago.[2] Founded in 2016, it became the second-largest party in Tobagonian politics following the decline of the Tobago Organisation of the People. The party planned to contest the Trinidadian local election and every seat in the next general election, officially launching as a national party on 1 May 2022.[3][4] It later provided a plan for Tobagonian independence.[5][6][7][8]

In the January 2021 Tobago House of Assembly election, the party won the same number of seats (6) as the Tobago Council of the People's National Movement, breaking their streak of winning every Tobago House of Assembly election since 2001. It later led to a snap election being called in December 2021 Tobago House of Assembly election December to break the tie, as well as an increase in the number of legislative seats from 12 to 15 (an odd number) to avoid future ties.

In the December 2021 Tobago House of Assembly snap election, the PDP won an unprecedented 14 out of the 15 seats available, ending 21 consecutive years of PNM control over the Assembly. PDP member Farley Chavez Augustine was sworn in as the 5th Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly on 9 December 2021.[9][10][11]

In 2022, 13 PDP members of the Tobago House of Assembly left the party, leaving the leader, Watson Duke, as the sole PDP Assembly member.[12]

  1. ^ Thompson-Forbes, Cassandra (14 May 2020). "PDP wants economic independence for Tobago". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP)." caribbeanelections.com. KnowledgeWalk Institute, 29 November 2021. Web.
  3. ^ "Duke: PDP in Trinidad 'for the long haul'". Loop Trinidad & Tobago. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  4. ^ Kayy, Krystal (8 December 2021). "PDP Deputy Farley Augustine says no secession but Tobago autonomy bill incomplete". Public Services Association. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  5. ^ "PNM slams PDP's plan for Tobago's independence". Loop Trinidad & Tobago. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  6. ^ "PDP on "Tobago's Independence as a Nation" | By Watson Solomon Duke, Founder, Owner and Political Leader of PDP". Facebook. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  7. ^ Connelly, Corey (5 July 2021). "Tracy: Does PDP want autonomy for Tobago?". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  8. ^ Nicholas, Stephon (1 July 2021). "PDP: Autonomy insufficient, Tobago must keep options open". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  9. ^ "A Tobago dream come alive". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  10. ^ "FARLEY MANIA". Trinidad Express Newspapers. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  11. ^ "PDP wants economic independence for Tobago - CNC3". 15 May 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Mass resignation from PDP of Farley and team: Tobago now run by Independents". Trinidad Express. 5 December 2022.