COP Political Leader Winston Dookeran has told members of his party COP's involvement in the People's Partnership government has brought a sense of satisfaction "that within a very short space of time we have now been able to position ourselves and our country that have a new beginning."
Dookeran was delivering the feature address Saturday at the opening of the party's Renaissance House, Headquarters, in Fyzabad.
He spoke of the historical relevance of Fyzabad, a place that has marked turning points in the history of Trinidad and Tobago "ever since the 1930’s unto the 1950’s into the 1980’s and now into the 21st century...
"I feel a sense of history a sense of history that is in the making for yet another time as we today celebrate the beginning of a new renaissance."
The Finance Minister and MP for Tunapuna said there is a renaissance in Trinidad and Tobago in which COP has been actively engaged. He said there is satisfaction for COP as "we have now embarked on a new political experience, an experience of coalition politics."
He added that since 2007 when COP took birth many people in the country became "inspired by the mantra of new politics". He noted the great disappointment when "the electorate did not see it the way we thought they ought to see it but yet they were able to speak in large, large numbers."
Dookeran expressed great satisfaction that two years later COP was able to be a part of the corner stone of the electoral victory of 2010.
"It was a historic moment in many ways; it was when this nation elected for the first time, a female prime minister in the name of Kamla Persad Bissessar. It was all so historic because by her assent to higher office it created a new inspiration, especially for the country which is now entering into a new page in our political life.
"I know that satisfaction you feel is a satisfaction that today reflects itself in its new inspiration and in that new inspiration there is going to be new trial and new tribulation," he said.
He said there is a good reason why he has remained "cool" in the midst of apparent difficulties "whether it’s the Clico policy holders, whether it the contractors, whether its the Public Service union, or whether it is those who want VAT refund or whether it is those who are looking for jobs in the economy that is not yet positioned for that...
"But I will tell you my coolness derives from your vision for a better tomorrow. If I falter you falter, if I become disturbed, you become disturbed, if I at any time show a sense of anxiety then the society which we want to build for the future becomes anxious and perhaps unfulfilled.
"So my coolness derives from your commitment for a better tomorrow and the vision for the new politics of Trinidad and Tobago. That is why I feel confident that it is perhaps more appropriate for us to have tears today so that tomorrow we can have the applause," Dookeran said.
Dookeran praised the COP for the manner in which it handled itself during the recent internal election and paid tribute to the members of the executive, including the chairman and the three deputy political leaders.
"And I look forward to seeing all our 6 parliamentarians under one umbrella at the next appropriate time...the Congress of the People will be more than happy to see all our 6 members of parliament under one roof in a COP function in the near future," he said.
Dookeran reminded his audience that COP's mission had been to start a new national conversation, an attempt to "find common grounds on higher grounds".
He said, "We started a Renaissance in thinking, and I have no doubt in my mind that the Congress Of The People has been the anchor for the new thinking that has now emerged in Trinidad and Tobago, in the People’s Partnership Government.
"We walk with our partners and work to overcome the problems as we faced them. We shall be as committed to ensuring that this coalition politics in which we engage becomes a new experience that will be a success...
"Renaissance House is here to give us that new renewal to give us that new energy to give us that new confidence that the track that we are on is the right track. And we shall continue to follow that track, so that we can bring the new politics to Trinidad and Tobago."
Dookeran said COP was not only built out of ideas; but also out of the tears of ordinary people of this country who want a better tomorrow.
"And it is those people that I want to pay tribute to here today...it is that little step that you persist that have allowed the party to grow, allowed a Government to be put into place, and allowed a future to be built for you.
"Let me end by saying we must work in sincerity and in honesty with all the Partners in the People’s Partnership Government for we belong to one nation.
"We may have come from different dimensions to be together but we shall strengthen the People’s Partnership government. The People’s Partnership Government will rely on the Congress of the People, have faith, stay the line, and keep the fort."
Dookeran also had a message for people who were about to celebrate his retirement. "I want to assure you as long as this party continues in the way it is going I shall be with you however, wherever and whenever so that we can work towards the creation of the new politics in this new vision for Trinidad and Tobago."
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