Progressive Party (Trinidad and Tobago)

Progressive Party
LeaderNikoli Edwards
Chairpersonvacant
Deputy LeaderMorgan Ramkallawan
FounderNikoli Edwards
FoundedJune 16, 2019 (2019-06-16)
IdeologyProgressivism
Decentralization[1]
Political positionCentre to centre-left[2]
Colors Blue
House of Representatives
0 / 41
Regional municipalities
0 / 139
Regional corporations
0 / 14
Tobago House of Assembly
0 / 12
Election symbol
Guiding Flame
Website
http://progressives.tt/

The Progressive Party (colloquially known as "The Progressives") is a political party in Trinidad and Tobago. The party was founded on June 16, 2019 by former independent senator Nikoli Edwards to contest the 2020 Trinidad and Tobago general election.[3][4][5] The Progressives currently do not hold any seats in the House of Representatives, Regional municipalities, Regional corporations or in the Tobago House of Assembly.

History

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The Progressive Party held its first General Meeting in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago on December 15, 2019. At that meeting, the party's constitution was ratified, and six of the seven members of the Board of Directors were appointed. The Board of Directors will serve until the Party General Assembly of 2021. In his keynote address, Party Leader Nikoli Edwards outlined his party's policies and vision for Trinidad and Tobago, stating that Trinidad could not achieve progress under the two leading parties in Trinidad, the United National Congress (UNC) and the ruling People's National Movement (PNM).

At the first General Meeting, Edwards made the declaration that he will be contesting the constituency of San Fernando West which is currently represented by Faris Al-Rawi, Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago.[6]

List of Political Leaders

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The political leaders of the Progressive Party have been as follows (any acting leaders indicated in italics):

Key:

  Progressive   UNC   PNM

PM: Prime Minister

LO: Leader of the Opposition

Leader Term of Office Position Prime Minister
1 Nikoli Edwards 15 December 2019 Incumbent Rowley

Electoral history

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House of Representatives

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Election Party leader Votes Seats Position Government
No. % ± No. ±
2020 Nikoli Edwards 211 0.03
0 / 41
13th PNM

Party Leadership

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Position Officeholder Term of Office Constituency
Party Chairperson vacant
Political Leader Nikoli Edwards December 15, 2019 Incumbent Candidate for San Fernando West
Deputy Political Leader Morgan Ramkallawan December 15, 2019 Incumbent
Secretary December 15, 2019 Incumbent
Chief Policy and Strategy Officer Kieran Khan December 15, 2019 Incumbent
Chief Financial Officer Nichelle Baptiste December 15, 2019 Incumbent
Chief Communications Officer Anthony Burnley December 15, 2019 Incumbent

Political Positions

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The Progressives identify with progressivism, as well as the centre-left. The party believes in maintaining a small to moderately-sized government that focuses on helping citizens to realise their fullest potential in a reasonably regulated environment.[7]

References

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  1. ^ http://progressives.tt/assets/docs/ProgressivePartyConstitution-Draft.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ http://progressives.tt/aboutparty.html
  3. ^ "Former senator launches political party". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. June 16, 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  4. ^ "New political party launches". Trinidad Express Newspapers. June 17, 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  5. ^ "'Progressives' to go after all viable seats". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. June 18, 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  6. ^ Francis, Innis (December 18, 2019). "Edwards: Sando made me the man I am". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  7. ^ WebItConcepts. "Progressive Party". www.progressives.tt. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
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