Rumblings...

In his address to the Local Government Councilors Elect at COP Operations Centre, Chaguanas on Tuesday 27th July, 2010, the Leader of the Congress of the People made some telling and some would say powerful remarks that have caused some concern both within and without the People's Partnership.

While some see it as much ado about nothing, to others it was high time Mr. Dookeran demonstrated his authority within the Partnership of which he was the architect, and which he is in no small way responsible for putting into power.

In his opening remarks the COP Political Leader was heard to have said "It's not only a special moment for the Congress of the People, which has done a remarkably well both in this election and in the General Elections that preceded it, given the circumstances under which we began a new engagement with the people, but for me it's a very special moment for the people of Trinidad and Tobago."

The message here could not have been accidental, and it was this symbolic removal of the leash that others thought he would wear without asking questions that has caused a stirring within the corridors of the Coalition Government.

He used the opportunity to be made abundantly clear; the Congress of the People acknowledges that it is an equal member of a coalition, but is also within its rights at every material time to engage the electorate and the public on its own whenever the need arises.

He went on to say "It was a heroic effort on the part of some of us to say that we shall break the politics, because we knew if we break the politics of yesterday, we'll create the freedom for tomorrow."

It was clear to all listening that the COP would not be part of a return to 'politics as usual' and had not lost its moorings in the battles for electoral power. After the dust has settled the membership of the Congress of the People was being told that the policies that the Party was built on are stronger than ever, and the Leadership is clear of the Party's role in the future of Trinidad & Tobago.

This statement caused some concern in other camps, but to the membership of the COP it was welcome relief that they had not put Ethics and Moral and Spiritual Values on the bargaining table, that despite the churlish tactic and behavior of some in the Partnership, the Leaders of the COP were still grounded in principle and clear on the purpose of the Party.

"The Congress of the People is an idea and it's an example of where an idea catches on in a country and it cannot be stopped again.

It's an idea that belongs to the 21st century politics. It is an idea that has rejected all that we call the politics of the past. It's an idea that aspires towards a new nobility in politics.
The People's Partnership is part of the new politics of Trinidad and Tobago.

There is no need for divisions and separations.

The People's Partnership is the new politics in Trinidad and Tobago and it belongs to you, as indeed it belongs to everyone else who has joined up.

But you must take credit that you were the one who stood firm and who kept to the idea that I spoke about.

And what I have found most interesting about the Congress of the People is that as we move, we are always reinforced by new people, new faces, new energy and new impetus and today is another example of it.

And I just want put your victory in historical perspective; for now, Congress of the People will not only have seats in Parliament, but we have a firm footing on the ground in this country.

They used to say we did not have a firm footing on the ground.

Now, they cannot say that anymore and that's the only thing that prevented us from winning in the 2007 election.

You have specific responsibilities but within the context of those specific responsibilities, you have a larger goal.

Always remember that. You have specific responsibilities in your local government councils that you must discharge, but there is larger goal, which is to hold the reins to ensure that the idea which generated this movement remains an idea that will bear more and more fruits.

Where it will go and how it will develop will depend on the people's response to our discharge of our duties.

And you are now the leaders in this.

And as we were taking the photograph I said that this was a real moment for me as a person. I now feel that I have a party that can run on its own."

This one statement more than any other is the source for all the concern, and Jack Warner and Anand Ramlogan had cause to interrupt their Emancipation celebrations to weigh in on the issue.

Mr. Dookeran was obviously clear in his mind that the union with the UNC was for a time and to him that fact was unmistakeable, yet he gave no timeline as to if and when a parting could and would occur.

What I believe he was saying clearly to all was, the Congress of the People was a part of an organization that itself was based on and espouised principlals that it must not deviate from, or questions will be asked as to the point of the exercise and there could be no further justification for the Partnership.

There are fundamental differences between the two organizations; the COP and the UNC, not the least of them being integrity in Public Life and the observance of the Parliamentary Code of Ethics, things Mr. Warner is no authority on.

Be mindful of the fact he almost said, that we know where our home is.

If I were jack Warner I would not call his bluff. That would be a stupid and foolish move, and for all my distrust of Mr. Warner I do not think him a foolish man.

Brinksmanship at this point will make everyone a loser.

This is a situation in which Jack just has to shut up.

In a zero sum game nobody wins.

In his closing, the Leader of the Congress of the People was his most eloquent:

"And I have for the first time real politicians in the Congress of the People for they can win elections too. What a great relief. And that's why I said I had to be here. It was almost a spiritual moment for me to come and share these thoughts with you, to congratulate you and to put it into perspective. Keep your banner flying high. It's the idea you support when you support the Congress of the People. It's an idea of the nobility of the politics that you support, when you support the People's Partnership. The People's Partnership is the current manifestation of the idea of new politics. Always remember that.

I congratulate everyone. I want to tell you that between now and the installation of the candidates we must be clear about our own approach to that exercise. We have to offer the right persons for Aldermen and for Mayors or Chairmen as the case may be. In certain cases we have a clear responsibility and in other cases we have a shared responsibility. Whatever it is, we must discharge it and bear in mind that we have a higher goal to perform.

When you go the council, you go with a firm position as to what you intend to do, so you need to get guidance. Prakash Ramadhar who is not here today, because I left him at the same function I attended, will be working with you in discussions of the issues, along with Hulsie and along with Joe Toney and I want Vernon De Lima to join the team because I want a good lawyer on the team this time around. "

Mr. Dookeran sounded like the consummate Leader, with a clear vision for the Party both within and without the confines of the People's Partnership.

This was refreshing and welcome news to the members of the COP who have felt themselves sidelined in the organization since the results of the General Election.

Subterfuge and intrigue is par for the course politically and double par in a coalition environment. One just needs to be careful to not lose one's fundamental make up and identity as one tries to force a center to hold that still has so much good to do.

Jack Warner would be well advised to 'hush up' on this issue and not embarrass the leader of the Congress of the People with his petty off the cuff remarks any further.

Manhandling your little local governemnt candidates is one thing, disrespecting the Leader of the Party of Integrity is something else entirely, and he would do well to learn from history.

Anand Ramlogan also needs to back off the rhetoric where his former leader is concerned.

While he may be engaging the public on some popular policy positions, he is also alienating many with his vicious attack dog style. He may be of the view that this style is serving him, but someone needs to explain to him why attack dogs get left outside.

Couch your words better Anand, and relax your posture when referring to the Leader of the Congress of the People.

Much respect is overdue to the Leadership and members of the Congress of the People, and it is time that that respect is shown.