Former minority leader and political leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) Ashworth Jack is expected to reveal his future plans today in respect to his leadership in the TOP. A source said he is expected to tender his resignation to the party at a news conference today.
After the 12-0 defeat at the THA election last month and during his speech Jack said he would have re-evaluate his position in the party and had given a 48-hour deadline for his decision but has not been heard from since.However, a source told the T&T Guardian yesterday the hierarchy of TOP is split on the decision that Jack should make.
The source said some senior members of the party felt Jack should step down and allow a fresh face to lead the team while others felt he should be given another chance to re-invigorate the membership."We are split on the matter. There are some of us who feel Mr Jack should step aside and let someone else lead because he already has admitted the loss was his fault.
"With that said it's not that he is a bad leader but he should take some time out and build his professional profile and come back with a fighting force a couple years from now." the source added.The spokesman said Jack had been studying law and had to put his education on standby because of his commitment to the people and politics. The source explained Jack should use his downtime to focus on his education for a while. Another senior member of the party said the people of Tobago spoke and they should be heard.
He added: "Tobagonians know what they want and they said it. They are like this, if they don't want you to represent them they would vote against you and Ashworth didn't see that."He should really take a rest but it is not my call. My choice will be whatever the party and Ashworth decide.
"We have to remember that Mr Jack formed the TOP. It is his vision and he should be given a chance to fix this. The TOP is not dead and Mr Jack would bounce back. He should not give up."The press conference is carded for 10 am at TOP headquarters, Old Market Square, Scarborough, Tobago. With reporting by Richard Lord.