After an election campaign that was at times bruising, exposing well-known and long-standing rifts between the two islands, it is time to begin to heal the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago.
During the three weeks of intense and acrimonious campaigning across the island to elect the new representatives for the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), some platform rhetoric played on perceptions of Tobagonians being suspicious of Trinidadians and "outsiders" trying to control the affairs of the island.
There was, in particular, the unfortunate comments made by Tobago Forwards leader Christlyn Moore who, in a radio interview, warned of efforts to use people from Trinidad to "steal" the THA elections and recommended that Tobagonians take a particular course of action.
Even though it is inevitable, particularly in the charged atmosphere of an election campaign, for controversies to be ignited–made more likely with the intensity of the four-way race–a great deal of damage was done and it needs to be repaired in quick time.
It could be that the occasionally insular tone from some on campaign platforms was influenced by the notion that three of the parties in the fray where based solely on the island in a race that pitted Tobagonian against Tobagonian in a fight for 12 seats. The People's National Movement (PNM), which has been in charge of the THA since 2001, was the only national party in the race and even their structure, with the party's Tobago Council running the THA campaign, allowed for Tobagonians only to take the lead in these elections.
Fresh from its fifth consecutive victory in the THA polls, the PNM should now grasp the opportunity to repair the relationship between Trinidadians and Tobagonians.
Led as they are by Tobago-born Dr Keith Christopher Rowley, the ruling party is in the best position to facilitate dialogue that establishes healthier rules of engagement between the people of the two islands.
Although Trinidad and Tobago has been a single state since January 1, 1889, when the British Parliament joined the two colonies as one and by virtue of an Order-in-Council, Tobago has often been treated like an unwanted "outside" child and a variety of social and political developments over the years has only added to the disconnect between the islands.
Tobago has always had its unique social and cultural identity and is an important part of all of the things that make these two islands stand out regionally. Indeed, before it was joined to Trinidad, the island successfully ran its own affairs.
While within the unitary state Tobago has been given some measure of self-government through the THA, major challenges still exist.
Dr Rowley and his Government, in tandem with the new THA, to be led by a new Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles, can set in motion policies and programmes for a mutually-respectful relationship between the two islands.
Since the PNM controls both central Government and the THA, they must demonstrate that they are indeed tuned in to the specific needs of Tobago. The objective should be to foster a meaningful and mutually beneficial partnership at the political level that will repair and strengthen the social and economic bonds between the islands.
Until Tobago's strengths, as well as Tobago's unique contributions, are given an equal space in national affairs, the undercurrent of suspicion and insecurity that always seems to be present, will continue to hinder inter-island engagements.
As history so clearly demonstrates, it is not enough to point to the fact that Tobago has given this country two prime ministers, one of whom went on to become President and distinguished himself internationally with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
ANR Robinson's played a critical role in the establishment of the THA. However, as the country's second Tobago-born leader, Dr Rowley can establish his own legacy by making Trinidad and Tobago one country in all the ways that matter.