With just two weeks before TT heads to the polls on April 28, the marginal seat of Moruga/Tableland has emerged as a major battleground in the 2025 general election.
A key constituency that the two main parties, the People's National Movement (PNM) and the United National Congress (UNC), are seeking to secure to have a realistic shot at forming a government. The race there is shaping up to be fierce and unpredictable.
This year, the contest has taken a historical turn with a three-way race with a two-woman showdown.
The former MP Michelle Benjamin, the UNC candidate, faces off against PNM's Lisa Atwater, a secondary school teacher.
[caption id="attachment_1149378" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Moruga/Tableland PNM candidate Lisa Atwater, right, greets a homeowner during a campaign walkabout -[/caption]
Benjamin and Atwater are joined by Trivet Phillip, a 30-year-old barber, industrial worker, and community artiste representing the Patriotic Front, contesting the seat for the first time.
Each is hoping to sway the majority of the estimated 29,000 eligible voters to support them.
Benjamin is the first-ever female MP in this constituency.
Benjamin, who won the seat in 2020 with a margin of over 1,000 votes, expressed confidence in retaining her position.
"The campaign is progressing nicely. I am always on the ground, holding office days and meeting constituents," Benjamin said.
"I feel more comfortable this year than when I initially went up in 2020. That is not me underplaying the other candidates. It is about the electorate being more informed and ready for change and good governance under the UNC."
According to Benjamin, main issues such as lack of water supply, poor roads and youth unemployment remain unresolved.
She also emphasised the challenge of addressing issues effectively as an Opposition MP. Benjamin, a former councillor, said she constantly wrote to ministries and ministers to highlight issues.
[caption id="attachment_1149317" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Moruga/Tableland taxi driver Allison “Benjie” Nicholas says the roads are in dire need of repair. - Photo by Innis Francis[/caption]
"I would have tried to advocate for change. If I had not done that, the current administration would have seen the importance or urgency of addressing the issues," Benjamin added.
Despite seeing more PNM banners in the constituency, Benjamin said her strength lies in direct engagement.
"I run a ground campaign – hand touching hand, face seeing face. That has always been my approach."
School teacher aims to capture seat
Atwater, a newcomer to parliamentary politics, is banking on her extensive background in education and connection with the people.
She said she is humbled, grateful and ready to serve, emphasising that teaching is about investing in others – so is leadership.
Fondly called "Miss," Atwater, a proud Merikin descendant, refers to her current and past students and their parents as her children and part of her extended family.
She has pledged to focus on youth devel
