Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Although Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes-Alleyne’s outspoken nature may have upset some within the United National Congress (UNC), she has not lost all support in her constituency.
Some residents praised her accessibility during her four-year term, while others felt she had been absent, neglecting community concerns, and should be replaced for the 2025 general elections.
Haynes-Alleyne represents a vast area from Gasparillo to Tabaquite, including communities like Flanagan Town, Mamoral, and Gran Couva, where the major issues are crime, landslides, water shortages, and transportation problems. Residents are particularly frustrated about the non-functional Brasso Police Station which they blame for delayed responses to crimes in the area.
When Guardian Media visited, some residents did not even know who their MP was. In Riversdale, a group of elderly men showed little interest in politics, saying politicians often do not deliver. Although aware of the five UNC MPs who spoke out, Davanand Gobindass did not know Haynes-Alleyne was one of them. He said supports the UNC but left the decision on his MP’s fate to the party’s leadership.
“It really does not matter who they put in as long as they do their job properly, that’s all we care about,” he said. Outside the Station Sports Bar, Nazrudeen Hosein said he did not understand why the UNC wanted to remove Haynes-Alleyne. He praised her for her involvement in the local crime watch group and said she had been more active than previous MPs.
“If that is what the party wants, we cannot object. They know what they are doing,” Hosein said.
At Gasparillo Mall, Vitra Ramoutar said Haynes-Alleyne was doing an “okay” job on community issues and wants the UNC should let her contest the election next year, but if not, she will accept it.
“All we need is change for a better community, and we will miss her,” Ramoutar said.
Not everyone feels the same. Businesswoman Gina Sammy said she has not seen Haynes-Alleyne since the last election and rated her tenure poorly, citing unresolved issues like crime and poor roads.
“If she has to be replaced, so be it. I have only seen her here once,” Sammy said.
Errolyn Davis, another dissatisfied constituent, said the UNC and PNM have failed, and she is open to voting for a Patriotic Front candidate.
“The previous one did not do anything either. Suruj Rambachan. He did nothing, either. They did nothing, and I am not talking about UNC. I am talking about both parties,” Davis said.
Haynes-Alleyne acknowledged both praise and criticism as part of the job. She said she has always been accessible and had raised many issues, including the closure of the Brasso Police Station.
“In 2020, we launched #fixourroadstabaquite, so constituents can see all the advocacy around infrastructure issues,” she said.
Reflecting on her first term, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, Haynes-Alleyne noted the challenges of building community engagement while social distancing. She said as an Opposition MP her role is mainly advocating, while actual execution lies with the government.
Despite uncertainty about her future in the UNC, she said she remains focused on the upcoming national budget, where she plans to raise concerns about Tabaquite. As for the 2025 election, she is ready to serve another term.
“I am a member of a political party, so I will go through the process and see what the year brings,” she said.