Dr Rita Pemberton
THE YEAR 1946 was a significant period in the political history of Tobago because of the two important elections in the colony in that year.
In addition to the grant of universal adult suffrage, which increased the numbers of people eligible to vote, approval had been given for elections to select representatives of the various districts of the colony in the Legislative Council and to sit on the newly established county councils, which were to form part of the colonial administration.
These provisions came after the people of Tobago had endured disrespect and dismissal of the challenges they had faced since union in 1889.
The inclusion of a representative for Tobago on the Legislative Council of TT in 1925 did not stimulate any improvement in its situation, because the dominant planter element in the council regarded Tobago as an unwelcome dependent whose problems were not given the serious consideration they deserved.
In addition, the Tobago representatives faced challenges to attend sittings of the council because of poor sea communication links.
July 1, 1946, was the day of the first elections after the grant of universal adult suffrage to the colony. This was a significant event.
However, what was of greater significance was that for the first time in the island’s history, the franchise was available to members of the population across social lines and was no longer restricted to members of the upper and upper middle classes.
This election generated much interest, which was reflected in the 73 per cent turnout of electors.
It was also interesting that Trinidad-based political parties became involved. Six individuals vied for the position of representative for Tobago, four of whom were supported by Trinidad-based political parties.
The six were: Labour contractor APT James, who was supported by Tubal Uriah Butler; George de Nobriga, the incumbent; Raymond Hamel-Smith of the Progressive Democratic Party; Capt Robert H Harrower, a retired Canadian who lived in Tobago and contested the election under the auspices of the Citizens League Party of Trinidad; Lawrence Edwards, popular head teacher, chief organiser of the Tobago Debating Society, organiser of the TWA in Tobago and labour activist supported by the United Front in Trinidad; and pharmacist George F Samuel, an independent candidate.
Having received just over 50 per cent of the vote, James won the election by an overwhelming majority; his nearest rival, Lawrence Edwards, was only able to amass about 20 per cent of the total vote.
Popular interest in this and subsequent elections represented the population's increased awareness of the need for effective representation to address the multitudinous problems the island faced.
It was a rejection of the old planter-dominated representation which did not cater to the needs of the poorer sections of the society, and it was recognised that the required representation would not come from the planter-dominated central administration in Trinidad, which did not consider Tobag
