The NAR entered government with broad national support and goodwill, but support declined as fiscal austerity and neo-liberal economic policies imposed by the International Monetary Fund's Structural Adjustment Program resulted in increased unemployment and a 10% cut in salaries in the public service.
Infighting over government posts and economic policies split the party and some ministers defected after a single year in power.
The NAR did however retain its dominance in the Tobago House of Assembly, winning eleven of the twelve seats in the 1992 elections.
In a 1994 by-election an attempt was made to have the NAR and its two daughter parties the UNC and NDP, run a joint platform.
The UNC was adopting a policy of attracting 'NAR voters' directly rather than attempting another formal alliance, and following his failure to reunite the party, Wilson resigned and the NAR was leaderless until just prior to the 1995 elections.
Its bargaining position was reduced when two PNM (People's National Movement) MPs defected and joined the government as independents.
Even in places like Arima where the NAR could potentially have won, independent candidates split the vote, leading to PNM victories.
Morgan Job (who had taken over Robinson's seat) frequently sided with the UNC against the NAR leadership, whilst the other was increasing friendly with the PEP and eventually became an independent.
In another early election the following year the party increased its vote share to 1.1%,[5] but failed to regain a seat.