Workers and Farmers Party
Encyclopedia
The Workers and Farmers Party was a Marxist political party
in Trinidad and Tobago
. The party was organised by former Democratic Labour Party
leader Stephen Maharaj, C.L.R. James, George Weekes (of the Oilfields Workers Trade Union) and included the then unknown Basdeo Panday
among its slate of candidates.
The party contested the 1966 General Elections. It secured 3.5% of the vote and failed to win any seats in Parliament
. None of its candidates secured the 12.5% of the vote in their constituency that was required to have their deposits refunded.
The major political impact of the WFP was that it launched the political career of Basdeo Panday.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
. The party was organised by former Democratic Labour Party
Democratic Labour Party (Trinidad and Tobago)
The Democratic Labour Party was the main opposition party in Trinidad and Tobago between 1957 and 1971. The party was the party which opposed the People's National Movement at the time of Independence...
leader Stephen Maharaj, C.L.R. James, George Weekes (of the Oilfields Workers Trade Union) and included the then unknown Basdeo Panday
Basdeo Panday
Basdeo Panday was the 5th Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1995 to 2001 and has served as Leader of the Opposition from 1976–1977, 1978–1986, 1989–1995 and 2001–2010. He was first elected to Parliament in 1976 as the Member for Couva North. He is the former...
among its slate of candidates.
The party contested the 1966 General Elections. It secured 3.5% of the vote and failed to win any seats in Parliament
Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago
The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago is the legislative branch of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. The Parliament is bicameral. It consists of the elected House of Representatives, which has 43 members elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies, and the Senate which has 31...
. None of its candidates secured the 12.5% of the vote in their constituency that was required to have their deposits refunded.
The major political impact of the WFP was that it launched the political career of Basdeo Panday.