NICHOLAS ON POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

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Former Attorney General, former Temporary Senator, and political leader of the Movement for National Development, Garvin Nicholas, says he is not surprised by the outcome of the Tobago House of Assembly election, but believes the island must now broaden its economic focus.  More from Nicole M. Romany.

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00:00Nicholas says the results reflect a clear shift on the ground, with the PNM losing traction

00:07among its traditional supporters in Tobago. He tells The Morning Edition PNM's support

00:13has dwindled significantly.

00:15Honestly, the PNM isn't offering an alternative at this time. Nobody that I speak with who

00:26are loyal to the PNM or not, whether in Trinidad or Tobago, see PNM as a serious alternative

00:34at this time. I mean, I was very surprised going up in areas like Charlotteville and elsewhere

00:42in Tobago and meeting with these old fishermen and stuff and they were quite adamant about

00:48it. I mean, the PNM has completely lost its way.

00:52He calls for stronger emphasis on tourism, saying the island's cultural assets and natural

00:58beauty are key drivers that should be maximized to create jobs and sustainable growth.

01:04Turning to economic strategy, Nicholas says the country in general cannot rely solely on

01:10the energy sector.

01:11Even if we do get some kind of arrangement in the short or medium term with Venezuela,

01:19and that is up for grabs at the moment. We do know what is happening with regards to

01:24the short term future of Venezuela. But even if we get those things up and running, those

01:32things should not be the sole basis for economy. We have too much in Trinidad and Tobago to offer

01:38the world than just oil and gas.

01:41As it relates to the wider geopolitical tensions, Nicholas warns against placing all strategic

01:47reliance on the United States, noting the unpredictability of the U.S. President's foreign policy.

01:54At the end of the day, you know that Donald Trump, President Trump is very transactional in his

02:00approach to all things. So really and truly, whatever is the easiest way out for him to move

02:08forward would be that way. With regards to how he sees Trinidad, I really don't know how he sees

02:14Trinidad. Trinidad might just have been a pawn in his big oil game. And therefore, he might simply

02:24turn his back on Trinidad and Tobago. Who knows?

02:27Still, he says, the country has always been important to the U.S. and especially now as

02:33China is placing its focus on this part of the world. Nicole M. Romney, TV6 News.

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