The Tobago House of Assembly is this country’s oldest political institution. The THA was first incarnated in 1768 in the island’s former capital, George Town, which is now Studley Park. The capital moved to Scarborough in 1769, as did the offices of the 13-member elected House of Assembly (Lower House) and the appointed Legislative Council (Upper House). In 1877, representative government was abolished, with the Crown Colony introduced to handle the administration of the island. In 1889, Tobago was joined with Trinidad by the British Government.

The original THA was a colonial institution designed to run the island for the benefit of its small ruling class by passing laws and statutes and distributing land. However, the election criteria favoured white Christian males older than 21 and owning 10 or more acres of land, and so, in 1834, that Assembly opposed the British Government’s decision to emancipate enslaved Africans.

By contrast, the modern THA is open to any Trinbagonian residing in Tobago and wishing to stand for election to its 12 seats. It also includes four Councillors, three of whom are appointed in accordance with the advice of the Chief Secretary and one on the advice of the minority leader; and a Presiding Officer, who may or may not be an Assemblyman or a Councillor.