Former Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus has begged Tobagonians to forgive the People's National Movement for whatever wrong they think the party did.
And Government meets with European Union officials today (Friday) to discuss getting T&T off the EU's blacklist.
Baptiste-Primus made the appeal at Thursday night's Leaders in Service (LIS) campaign meeting in Tobago. Energy Minister Stuart Young, who also spoke, hinted about the EU meeting.
The LIS team is seeking to win the PNM's executive when the party holds its internal elections on November 26-27 and December 4.
Young is the candidate for chairman, while Baptiste-Primus is seeking re-election as the labour relations officer
Young briefly divulged today's meeting with EU officials. T&T has been blacklisted since the list became effective in 2017. Talks are aimed at helping T&T get its removal from the revised EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. He said he's also meeting today with International Monetary Fund representatives
Young, who said PNM is the only party that can do "the job," added that Tobago is now finding that out the hard way. He urged Tobagonians not to lose heart, as he said he knows there is victimisation.
Baptiste-Primus, who said her brother has been married to a Tobagonian for 40 years, said she knew Tobagonians were hurting.
"We know you're somewhat disappointed, we know why PNM's in opposition (in Tobago), we needed to mend fences and we didn't do that," she said.
"Whatever you have in your heart - feel hurt, slighted, disappointed - I humbly ask for your forgiveness and I'm asking you: we need to close ranks my Tobago people, we have to close ranks, because if we don't close ranks ...you see we have (PNM THA Minority leader) Kelvon (Morris ) and a lady councillor alone, so we have to close ranks."
She said the entire team would determine if PNM wins the next Local Government election and the Tobago East and West seats in the next general election.
Baptiste-Primus added, "Forgive us for whatever wrong you think we did as a team but we have your best interest at heart. Let's view these PNM elections very, very seriously. We must sit as family. All families go through problems - all, all, all! But we could talk it out! It's like a marriage, Tobagonians! Tongue and teeth is clash but they have to live together..."
Baptiste-Primus said sometimes it's difficult to forgive, but when people did so they felt lighter.
"... Let's please close ranks, help each other and work with each other - Tobago is critical to anything we do."
Indar Parasram who's seeking re-election as election officer, said there's LG elections in late 2023, general elections after and THA polls. He urged Tobagonians to attend the December 4 convention.