Robinson, Ray (Arthur Napoleon Raymond) (1915– )

Trinidad and Tobago centre-left politician, prime minister 1986–92 and president 1997–2003. Leader of the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), he won a landslide victory in 1986, becoming prime minister with portfolios for the economy and Tobago. However, economic recession caused political instability and in 1990 an attempted coup by Islamic fundamentalists ended in a six-day siege. Defeated in 1991 by the People's National Movement (PNM), led by Patrick Manning, Robinson returned to centre-stage in 1995, as adviser to the coalition government of Basdeo Panday. In 1997 he was elected to the largely titular position of president.

Robinson's political career began as a representative in the Federation of the West Indies 1958–61. He served as finance minister 1961–67, PNM deputy leader 1967–70, and foreign minister 1967–68 under the centrist PNM administration of Eric Williams. After the Black Power riots of 1970 he distanced himself from the PNM, becoming leader of the new Democratic Action Congress 1971–86 and chair of the assembly in Tobago, which was created in 1980. In 1986 the victory of the NAR, formed in 1985 to bring together a number of left-wing parties, ended 30 years of dominance by the PNM.

With oil prices falling, the economy became depressed, putting a strain on the disparate NAR, which began to fracture. In April 1990 the currency was devalued and IMF financial assistance sought, and in July there was an attempted coup by 120 Islamic fundamentalists, who held parliamentarians and ministers hostage. Robinson was shot in the legs by the extremists, but the siege was lifted after six days.

Before entering politics Robinson studied at Oxford University and trained as a barrister in London.