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After Williams's death, the PNM appointed Chambers to succeed
him as prime minister and as party leader in the 1981 elections.
Chambers had entered PNM politics in 1966 and had served the
government as head of several ministries in succeeding years. One
of the main factors in Chambers's selection was that, as a black
Trinidadian, he was more acceptable as prime minister than two more
senior East Indian PNM ministers, Kamaluddin Mohammed and Errol
Mahabir, both of whom remained in Chambers's cabinet.
The 1981 election marked the appearance of a new political
party, the Organization for National Reconstruction (ONR). The ONR,
led by former PNM prime minister Hudson-Phillips, attacked
government inefficiency and called for a rollback of "massive state
capitalism." The party attempted to appeal to a cross section of
voters, including black and East Indian workers as well as all
groups in the middle class. In addition, three opposition parties--
the ULF, the DAC, and Tapia House (a reformist party of
intellectuals and the middle class)--attempted to form an electoral
coalition appropriately termed the Alliance. The coalition
fragmented over ethnic divisions, however.
Chambers campaigned on the PNM party record, pointing with
pride to twenty-five years of accomplishments in education,
housing, and culture and to the prosperous economy. Although only
30 percent of the registered voters voted for the PNM, the party
once again won, getting over half the vote and taking two seats
from the ULF to win a total of twenty-six out of the thirty-six
seats in the House of Representatives. The ULF lost ground,
receiving only 15 percent of the vote and retaining only eight of
its ten seats; the DAC kept its two Tobagonian seats. Because of
the winner-take-all rule, neither the ONR nor the Alliance won any
seats despite the fact that the ONR received nearly a quarter of
the popular vote. Observers attributed the PNM victory in 1981 to
healthy economic conditions, poor organization by the opposition,
and a fear of unknown and untried parties.
Chambers's five-year rule as prime minister was plagued by
economic and political problems (see Role of Government, this ch.).
He had ridden in on a wave of prosperity but was defeated five
years later by an economic downturn. Oil prices fell in 1982 and
1983, and the oil industry, faced with lower revenues, forced
concessions from the OWTU. Oil layoffs increased unemployment, and
the 1982 sugar crop was below target level, compounding the
problem. The government ran a deficit in 1982 for the first time in
many years. During the oil boom, the PNM government had subsidized
many consumer items, especially food and transport. Chambers
reduced these subsidies, resulting in significant increases in food
and transport prices.
Chambers changed many controversial government-to-government
arrangements under which Williams had invited foreign governments
to engage in development projects using their own companies. The
foreign contractors had had frequent cost overruns and had angered
local producers by sometimes refusing to work with local materials
and local personnel. Chambers was also faced with the aircraft
purchase and racetrack complex corruption scandals involving
officials of Williams's government.
Hoping to reduce imports, the government instituted a system of
import licensing in November 1983. This caused much criticism from
other Caricom members because Trinidad and Tobago absorbed half of
the intraregional trade (see External Sector, this ch.). Despite
these efforts, foreign reserves continued to dwindle.
By the time of the 1983 municipal elections, PNM support had
seriously eroded. With an eye on the elections, Chambers raised the
salaries of 52,000 public workers, thereby increasing government
expenditure by 76 percent. Despite this action, the ONR and the
Alliance joined forces to win a total of 66 of the 120 municipal
seats, the first opposition victory since 1958. The PNM also lost
disastrously in the 1984 elections for the Tobago House of
Assembly. That contest, which became a personal clash between
Robinson and Chambers, resulted in the DAC's winning eleven out of
fifteen seats.
The PNM was under heavy criticism by the time parliamentary
elections were called for December 15, 1986. The opposition
coalesced in the NAR, formed earlier in the year. The four parties
comprising the NAR included the three that had formed the Alliance
in 1981--the ULF, the DAC, and Tapia House--and the ONR. These four
included a wide spectrum of Trinidadian political views: the ULF,
headed by Basdeo Panday, president of the ATSE/FWTU, represented
the indigenous working class and was mainly East Indian and left of
center; Robinson's DAC primarily represented Tobagonian interests;
Tapia House was a small intellectual party under the leadership of
Lloyd Best; and the ONR, led by Hudson-Phillips, was largely middle
class and right of center. Robinson was chosen head of the NAR, and
Hudson-Phillips and Panday became deputy leaders.
Campaigning under the slogan "one love," the NAR issued a broad
appeal to all ethnic groups. Robinson cited details of government
corruption that the PNM was not able to dispel. Surprisingly, in
response to a question at a political rally about corruption, a PNM
candidate replied, "we are all thieves." Robinson promised to name
an Integrity Commission, as provided by the Constitution, and to
create a Register of Gifts to keep track of gifts to cabinet
ministers. He also outlined a massive campaign to improve
employment and promised to publish a report on drugs that had been
suppressed by the government (see National Security, this ch.).
Deputy leader Panday said that a NAR government would concentrate
on divestment of some state enterprises.
The 1986 election was remarkable, for both voter participation
and results. In the highest voter turnout (63 percent) in twenty
years, the NAR captured 67 percent of the vote and won a stunning
33 out of the 36 seats in the House of Representatives. Most of the
NAR seats were won by large margins, even in districts where the
PNM candidates were cabinet ministers. Chambers was swept out of
office with the tide. Despite losing almost all of its seats, the
PNM, according to subsequent analysis of the election, retained
almost half the votes of the black community. Although middle- and
upper-middle-class blacks voted for the NAR, less affluent blacks
stayed loyal to the PNM. Much of the NAR strength came from East
Indian votes. Patrick Manning, one the three representatives who
had survived the 1986 elections, was chosen to head the PNM.
Data as of November 1987
- Caribbean Islands-Historical Background
- Caribbean Islands-Prosperity and Government Centralization, 1974-81
- Caribbean Islands-Economy
- Caribbean Islands-Agriculture
- Caribbean Islands-Government and Politics
- Caribbean Islands-Tourism
- Caribbean Islands-Political Dynamics
- Caribbean Islands-COUNTRY PROFILE: Turks and Caicos Islands
- Caribbean Islands-Chapter 7 - Strategic and Regional Security Perspectives
- Caribbean Islands-Role of Government
- Caribbean Islands-Labor Force and Industrial Relations
- Caribbean Islands-Role of Government
- Caribbean Islands-Growth and Structure of the Economy
- Caribbean Islands-Political Dynamics
- Caribbean Islands-Economy
- Caribbean Islands-Political Dynamics
- Caribbean Islands-A Regional Security System
- Caribbean Islands-Tourism
- Caribbean Islands-Other Third World Relations
- Caribbean Islands-SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Relations
- Caribbean Islands-Balance of Payments and Debt
- Caribbean Islands-HEALTH AND WELFARE
- Caribbean Islands-ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- Caribbean Islands-Role of Government
- Caribbean Islands-FOREIGN RELATIONS
- Caribbean Islands-Education
- Caribbean Islands-Manufacturing
- Caribbean Islands-Relations with the Commonwealth and Others
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Relations
- Caribbean Islands-COUNTRY PROFILE: St - Christopher and Nevis ST - CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS
- Caribbean Islands-The Penal System
- Caribbean Islands-The Soviet Presence
- Caribbean Islands-Colonial Heritage HISTORICAL SETTING
- Caribbean Islands-National Security
- Caribbean Islands-COUNTRY PROFILE: Antigua and Barbuda ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
- Caribbean Islands-The Public Security Forces
- Caribbean Islands-Political Systems
- Caribbean Islands-EDUCATION
- Caribbean Islands-Relations with Latin American and Caribbean Countries
- Caribbean Islands-Changes in the Social Base of Political Power POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE
- Caribbean Islands-POPULATION
- Caribbean Islands-Political Dynamics
- Caribbean Islands-Relations with the United States
- Caribbean Islands-Livestock, Fishing, and Forestry
- Caribbean Islands-National Security
- Caribbean Islands-Population
- Caribbean Islands-Education
- Caribbean Islands-ECONOMY
- Caribbean Islands-Banking and Finance
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Relations
- Caribbean Islands-Health and Welfare
- Caribbean Islands-Geography
- Caribbean Islands-Population
- Caribbean Islands-NATIONAL SECURITY
- Caribbean Islands-Agricultural Sector
- Caribbean Islands-The Barbados Defence Force
- Caribbean Islands-Government and Politics
- Caribbean Islands-Geography
- Caribbean Islands-Economy
- Caribbean Islands-The Police
- Caribbean Islands-The Robinson Government
- Caribbean Islands-United States Preeminence
- Caribbean Islands-External Sector
- Caribbean Islands-Energy
- Caribbean Islands-Education
- Caribbean Islands-POLITICAL TRADITIONS
- Caribbean Islands-THE STRATEGIC SETTING
- Caribbean Islands-Education
- Caribbean Islands-Role of Government
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments
- Caribbean Islands-Geography
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments
- Caribbean Islands-Government and Politics
- Caribbean Islands-Livestock, Fishing, and Forestry
- Caribbean Islands-Industrial Sector
- Caribbean Islands-Relations with the Commonwealth and Others
- Caribbean Islands-THE COLONIAL PERIOD
- Caribbean Islands-Political Dynamics
- Caribbean Islands-Relations with Communist Countries
- Caribbean Islands-Role of Government
- Caribbean Islands-GEOGRAPHIC SETTING
- Caribbean Islands-Government and Politics
- Caribbean Islands-Macroeconomic Overview
- Caribbean Islands-Sectoral Performance
- Caribbean Islands-National Security
- Caribbean Islands-Natural Gas
- Caribbean Islands-Geography
- Caribbean Islands-Incidence of Crime
- Caribbean Islands-Economy
- Caribbean Islands-COUNTRY PROFILE: Barbados BARBADOS
- Caribbean Islands-The Road to Independence
- Caribbean Islands-PREFACE
- Caribbean Islands -CHAPTER 3 - TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
- Caribbean Islands-Services
- Caribbean Islands-National Security
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments
- Caribbean Islands-World War II
- Caribbean Islands-External Sector
- Caribbean Islands-EDUCATION
- Caribbean Islands-Foreword
- Caribbean Islands-Health and Welfare
- Caribbean Islands-The Postwar Strategic Vacuum
- Caribbean Islands-Education
- Caribbean Islands-Regional Security Threats, 1970-81
- Caribbean Islands-Controversial Security Issues
- Caribbean Islands-HEALTH AND WELFARE
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Assistance
- Caribbean Islands-Chapter 4 - The Windward Islands and Barbados
- Caribbean Islands-ECONOMY
- Caribbean Islands-Population
- Caribbean Islands-Political Dynamics
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Relations
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Relations
- Caribbean Islands-Banking, Financial Services, and Currency
- Caribbean Islands-HISTORICAL SETTING
- Caribbean Islands-Education SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS, 1800-1960
- Caribbean Islands-The Post-Williams Era, 1981-86
- Caribbean Islands-The Armed Forces
- Caribbean Islands-Chapter 6 - The Northern Islands
- Caribbean Islands-Relations with the United States
- Caribbean Islands-Sectoral Performance
- Caribbean Islands-Population
- Caribbean Islands-Finance and Banking
- Caribbean Islands-COUNTRY PROFILE: CAYMAN ISLANDS BRITISH DEPENDENCIES: THE CAYMAN ISLANDS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
- Caribbean Islands-Political Dynamics
- Caribbean Islands-Services
- Caribbean Islands-Political Dynamics
- Caribbean Islands-Education
- Caribbean Islands-Land Tenure and Use
- Caribbean Islands-COUNTRY PROFILE: MONTSERRAT
- Caribbean Islands-Growth and Structure of the Economy
- Caribbean Islands-Population
- Caribbean Islands-Transportation, Communications, and Electricity
- Caribbean Islands-Health and Welfare
- Caribbean Islands-Government and Politics
- Caribbean Islands-Petroleum and Asphalt
- Caribbean Islands-Economy
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Relations
- Caribbean Islands-Macroeconomic Overview
- Caribbean Islands-The Pre-European Population HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SETTING
- Caribbean Islands-Macroeconomic Overview
- Caribbean Islands-National Security
- Caribbean Islands-COUNTRY PROFILE: The Bahamas THE BAHAMAS
- Caribbean Islands-Health and Welfare
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-Crops
- Caribbean Islands-National Income and Public Finance
- Caribbean Islands-COUNTRY PROFILE: Dominica DOMINICA
- Caribbean Islands-National Security
- Caribbean Islands-Population
- Caribbean Islands-Political Dynamics
- Caribbean Islands-Trade and Finance
- Caribbean Islands-Chapter 1 - Regional Overview
- Caribbean Islands-Economy
- Caribbean Islands-Labor Organizations
- Caribbean Islands-Revenues
- Caribbean Islands-THE REGIONAL SECURITY SETTING
- Caribbean Islands-Construction
- Caribbean Islands-Manufacturing
- Caribbean Islands-Agriculture
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-ISLANDS OF THE COMMONWEALTH CARIBBEAN
- Caribbean Islands-Health and Welfare
- Caribbean Islands-Geography
- Caribbean Islands-Political Dynamics
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-Relations with Latin American and Caribbean Countries
- Caribbean Islands-National Security
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-COUNTRY PROFILE: ANGUILLA
- Caribbean Islands-NATIONAL SECURITY
- Caribbean Islands-Economy
- Caribbean Islands-THE EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS
- Caribbean Islands-Balance of Payments and Debt
- Caribbean Islands-INTRODUCTION
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Relations
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-Banking and Finance
- Caribbean Islands-Current Strategic Considerations
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-Narcotics Crime
- Caribbean Islands-Economy
- Caribbean Islands-Petrochemicals
- Caribbean Islands-Sectoral Performance
- Caribbean Islands-POPULATION
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-The Post-Emancipation Societies
- Caribbean Islands-The West Indies Federation, 1957-62
- Caribbean Islands-Relations with the United States, Britain, and Canada FOREIGN RELATIONS
- Caribbean Islands-Sectoral Performance
- Caribbean Islands-Health and Welfare
- Caribbean Islands-Geography
- Caribbean Islands-Crops
- Caribbean Islands-National Income and Public Finance
- Caribbean Islands-Sectoral Performance
- Caribbean Islands-Precursors of Independence
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-Education
- Caribbean Islands-The Criminal Justice System
- Caribbean Islands-GEOGRAPHY
- Caribbean Islands-Role of Government
- Caribbean Islands-Banking and Finance
- Caribbean Islands-Economic Policy and Management
- Caribbean Islands-Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments
- Caribbean Islands-Political Unrest and Economic Troubles, 1970-73
- Caribbean Islands-Education
- Caribbean Islands-Labor Force and Industrial Relations
- Caribbean Islands-Chapter 5 - The Leeward Islands
- Caribbean Islands -Chapter 2 - Jamaica
- Caribbean Islands-Health and Welfare
- Caribbean Islands-The Governmental System GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
- Caribbean Islands-The Sugar Revolutions and Slavery
- Caribbean Islands-Macroeconomic Overview
- Caribbean Islands-The Cuban Presence
- Caribbean Islands-Geography
- Caribbean Islands-Population
- Caribbean Islands-Land Tenure and Use
- Caribbean Islands-Macroeconomic Overview
- Caribbean Islands-Role of Government
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-Government and Politics
- Caribbean Islands-The Governmental System GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
- Caribbean Islands-Economy
- Caribbean Islands-Industry
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-The Increased Role of the United States
- Caribbean Islands-Population
- Caribbean Islands-Health and Welfare
- Caribbean Islands-Transportation and Communications
- Caribbean Islands-Country profile: Grenada GRENADA
- Caribbean Islands-Iron and Steel
- Caribbean Islands-Geography
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-Banking and Finance
- Caribbean Islands-Postwar Federation Efforts
- Caribbean Islands-Health and Welfare
- Caribbean Islands-Government and Politics
- Caribbean Islands
- Caribbean Islands-Population
- Caribbean Islands-GEOGRAPHY
- Caribbean Islands-Industry
- Caribbean Islands-Consolidation and Economic Hardship, 1962-69
- Caribbean Islands-Patterns of Development
- Caribbean Islands-Geography
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