Toney, Bhaggan agree COP must remain strong and within People's Partnership

Deputy Political Leader Wendy Lee Yuen addressing the audience. Seated is Sports Minister Anil Roberts, MP for Dabadie/O'Meara, who moderated the meeting.

Members of the Congress of the People (COP) feel that their party's leadership is out of touch with them.

Joseph Toney made that point Monday night when he spoke at a meeting at the COP's Flagship House for candidates contesting Sunday's internal election. Toney is running against Hulsie Bhaggan for the post of chairman of the party.

Toney said in his discussions and contacts with party members he has heard five critical points, one of which is that there is a disconnect between the party and the membership. And he promised that as chairman he will fix that problem.

"We must connect with the party. There is a strong feeling in the party that the leadership is here and the membership is there," he said.

He said the 148,000 people who voted for the COP in 2007 are still there, "waiting on us and watching us to see what we are doing to ensure that we have good governance".

Toney said members feel that the party needs to raise its national profile and that the constituency structures are not strong enough. He said in addition members have said they want a party perspective in government, without disrupting the People's partnership.

Toney said one of the most critical issues that members have raised with him is the branding of the party. He said he understands that the task in which the party is engaged is not an easy one.

"It’s what we said from the beginning and we have the scars to show for it," he said. At the same time he was emphatic that effecting change can only come from the bottom up. 

He pledged that as chairman he would "listen to the membership, listen to the membership, listen to the membership", borrowing a style from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar whose mantra is "serve the people, serve the people, serve the people."

In her address Hulsie Bhaggan told COP members the election is not just about electing the next executive. 

"It is about reflecting on the position of Congress of the People in the People’s Partnership. In particular looking at the world, the way it’s changing. And deciding the kind of political party we want to forge in T&T."

She said the world today has changed a lot with many dynamics at play influencing everyone. She said people have asked why not have a unitary party instead of a partnership.

She explained that the world is moving in the direction of coalition politics because the diversity of interests in modern society makes such arrangements more effective for good governance.

"One political party will not be able to do so, therefore...organizations like the Congress of the People, will be here for a very long time because we represent a thinking, and a group with will not be absorbed in the traditional political parties of Trinidad and Tobago," she said.

She said a party must have its clear identity as well. 

"We stand for integrity. We stand for new politics. We stand for people being at the centre of development. And that is where the mandate is. In the hands of our six members of Parliament who we shall empower and work closely with, so that they from within can influence policy and we from the outside can do similarly," she said.

Bhaggan said it is OK for people to talk openly about points of disagreement, adding that success in government will come from managing that diversity in views.

"We must be able to listen to the diverse views and be able to formulate a position, which will advance not only this Party and the Partnership but Trinidad and Tobago in the wider context," Bhaggan said.

She told members that is why when they elect the executive they must put in charge people who are strong and forward thinking. She said in that context and considering her background of service she is suitably qualified to be chair of the COP.