Nikoli Edwards, leader of the Progressive Party, announced that he and his party will not contest the 2025 general election, citing financial constraints and systemic challenges within the electoral process.
“Despite repeated calls for the Progressive Party and me to contest the 2025 General Elections in Trinidad and Tobago, the unfortunate reality is that this is not possible at this time,” he wrote in a social media statement.
Edwards launched the Progressive Party in 2019 with the aim of providing an alternative to the dominant two-party system. He described the party’s mission as an effort to introduce “fresh, youthful perspectives into the national discourse.” In the 2020 general election, the party fielded a single candidate in San Fernando West but was unsuccessful.
Reflecting on that experience, Edwards pointed to the significant role of financial resources in electoral success. “One of the most sobering realities we encountered was that electoral success is heavily dependent on financial resources,” he said. He referenced the stalled Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2020, as an example of the need for electoral reform, noting that nearly five years later, it remains before a Joint Select Committee of Parliament.
He also addressed the challenges faced by independent candidates and smaller parties. “Without experienced advisors or deep institutional knowledge, navigating the political landscape can be extremely challenging,” he wrote. “While our team was never short on vision or passion, our limited experience in the electoral process undoubtedly affected our chances.”
As the country prepares to vote on April 28, 2025, Edwards urged citizens to engage critically with all candidates. “I encourage every citizen to engage with all candidates, scrutinise their policies, challenge their perspectives, and hold them accountable.”
