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This study will demonstrate that the TWA, transformed into the Trinidad Labour Party (TLP) in August 1934, along with independent candidates representing Labour laid the foundation for twentieth century party politics. Interestingly, the TWA/TLP functioned as both a trade union (even though it was not registered) and a political party. The work will attempt to prove that the comprehensive organisational skills of the TWA/TLP in organizing meetings, selecting candidates, campaigning for votes and debating issues on the electoral platform were determining factors which resulted in creditable performances in the municipal elections and ensured limited electoral victories in four elections- 1925, 1928, 1933 and 1938.

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Jerome Teelucksingh is a Lecturer in History at the Trinidad and Tobago campus of the University of the West Indies. His qualifications include the B.A (University of the West Indies); M.A (University of Guelph, Canada); and the PhD (University of the West Indies).

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