This true son of the soil is no stranger to representative politics having contested a seat for the New Democratic Party in the last General Elections. His allegiance and commitment to the people of the constituency of North Leeward has been exemplary. Roland has never strayed too far away from his place of birth and has maintained strong ties to the community that hails him proudly, as the next Member of Parliament for North Leeward. Patel as he is called, received the early part of his education at the Petit Bordel Secondary School. His desire for further educational advancement however took him to Trinidad where he successfully completed his first degree, Bachelor of Arts with his Major in the subject of History and a minor in Government at the University of the West Indies. While at the University, his leadership skills were recognized, becoming a Student Guild Counsellor as well as the Chairman of Milner Hall Residence Unit on the Campus. Roland Matthews also has the distinction of being a qualified teacher with experience at the Secondary level.

This ability to represent people and deal with their concerns led him to take on a number of community-based activities including the management and training of the Northern Boyz Basketball Team, Chairmanship of the North Leeward Basketball Committee and vice-President and founding member of the Tru-Blacks Community Organization. His dedicated service throughout the constituency of North Leeward peaked with his candidacy in the last General Elections. At present, he has increased his participation in activities at the community level and has also been in charge of research in the Office of the Opposition Leader.

Throughout Roland’s education and career he has maintained the highest levels of personal attainment. His focus on the development of the youth of his constituency and by extension, the youth of the nation is highlighted through his involvement in sport and other youth-outreach programmes. Having identified the avenue of sport as a means of channeling the vibrancy of the youth of his constituency. Patel has placed a lot of emphasis on the development of the various sporting disciplines. As a teacher of the secondary school level Patel has the experience of understanding the needs of the youth of his constituency. His interaction at various levels with them has allowed him to relate to the difficulties they face and the assistance they need. His ability to guide and nurture has allowed the youth to make their transition from education to career a much smoother one.

Roland “Patel” Matthews possesses the perfect mix of education, experience and people skills that a representative should have, his firm grasp of the issues that confront our nation’s youth places him in the correct perspective to be of greater service to the nation. Right now the youths of our nation need this type of leadership as they face the future. The people of North Leeward need to cast their vote for Roland “Patel” Matthews because a vote for him is a vote for a bright and prosperous future.