Tobago House of Assembly

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is the government for the island of Tobago, which is part of Trinidad and Tobago. It was created so Tobago could have a voice in decisions, because before 1980 the two islands did not always work together well. The THA has some powers usually held by the main government, but it cannot collect many taxes or make certain laws.

The THA is led by elected members and a few people chosen by leaders in the assembly. The head of the THA is called the Chief Secretary, who helps run the island's daily affairs. The current Chief Secretary is Farley Chavez Augustine, who began his role on December 6, 2021. He is known for being the second youngest person to hold this job. He was first elected with the PDP but later left to start a new party called the Tobago People's Party.

History

The first THA elections happened on November 24, 1980. Different groups have won these elections over the years. In 1980, the Democratic Action Congress led by A.N.R. Robinson won. Other groups that have won include the People's National Movement, the National Alliance for Reconstruction, and the Tobago Organization of the People.

In 2026, the Tobago People's Party won all the seats in the Assembly during the 2026 Tobago House of Assembly election. Today, the THA helps with the important needs of people living in Tobago.

Current Assembly Members

Party Divisions by Assembly

Election Year		Chairman		Summary	PNM	DAC	Independent	Total seats
1st	1980	A. N. R. Robinson (1926-2014)		DAC wins control of the House of Assembly under A. N. R. Robinson, forming the first Tobagonian government.	4	8		12
Election Year		Chairman		Summary	PNM	DAC	Independent	Total seats
2nd	1984	A. N. R. Robinson (1926-2014)		DAC forms another government under A. N. R. Robinson. The DAC merges with other political parties to form the NAR.	1	11		12
Election Year		Chairman		Summary	PNM	NAR	Independent	Total seats
3rd	1988	Jefferson Davidson (c. 1938-2023)		NAR forms another government under Jefferson Davidson.	1	11		12
Election Year		Chairman		Summary	PNM	NAR	Independent	Total seats
4th	1992	Lennox Denoon (1930–2007)		NAR forms another government under Lennox Denoon.	1	11		12
Election Year		Chairman		Summary	PNM	NAR	Independent	Total seats
5th	1996	Hochoy Charles (1946–2023)		NAR forms another government under Hochoy Charles.	1	10	1	12
Election Year		Chief Secretary		Summary	PNM	NAR	Independent	Total seats
6th	2001	Orville London (1945– )		PNM forms its first government under Orville London.	8	4		12
Election Year		Chief Secretary		Summary	PNM	DAC	Independent	Total seats
7th	2005	Orville London (1945– )		PNM forms another government under Orville London.	11	1		12
Election Year		Chief Secretary		Summary	PNM	TOP	Independent	Total seats
8th	2009	Orville London (1945– )		PNM forms another government under Orville London.	8	4		12
Election Year		Chief Secretary		Summary	PNM	TOP	Independent	Total seats
9th	2013	Orville London (1945– )		PNM forms another government under Orville London.	12	0		12
Election Year		Chief Secretary		Summary	PNM	PDP	Independent	Total seats
10th	2017	Kelvin Charles (1957– ) Ancil Dennis (1987– )		PNM forms another government under Kelvin Charles.	10	2		12
Election Year		Chief Secretary		Summary	PNM	PDP	Independent	Total seats
11th	2021 (January)	Ancil Dennis (1987– )		First deadlock in the history of the assembly. PNM forms a caretaker government under Ancil Dennis.	6	6		12
Election Year		Chief Secretary		Summary	PNM	PDP	Independent	Total seats
12th	2021 (December)	Farley Chavez Augustine (1985– )		PDP forms its first government under Farley Chavez Augustine.	1	14		15