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| File: April 2010 - leaders join hands following the signing of the historic Fyzabad Accord that created the People's Partnership coalition led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar |
Prakash Ramadhar did so in his address at the COP’s Fifth National Assembly at Hillview College in Tunapuna.
He said when COP was formed it was an independent party with a clear philosophy. He pledged that the party will remain independent, despiair its partnership arrangements with the governing coalition.
COP's founding leader, Winston Dookeran, signed the Fyzabad Accord along with the other four leaders, including Kamla Persad-Bissessar who led the coaltion in the May 2010 general election.
Read the story: Opposition "sets Fyzabad on fire"
The coalition comprises The United National Congress, the Tobago Organisation of the People, the Movement For Social Justice, COP and the National Joint Action Committee.
On the eve of the first anniversary in government the leaders of the five groups issued a statement affirming their belief in the coalition.
“When we were coming together, many people had asked whether a five-party coalition could hold together. But today as we approach our one year anniversary, I say we have not only held together but I believe that we have grown stronger and we grow from strength to strength,” Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar declared on behalf of the coalition leadership.
In the time since then COP changed its political leader after Dookeran decided to not to run in the party's internal election last year.
It's not the first time Ramadhar has called for talks with coalition members. On Saturday he told party members it is important for COP to insist on the founding principles of the accord.
“Still, even while we exercise our individuality, the reality is that we are a partnership and, therefore, we must be a responsible partner,” he said.
“We are bound, and happily so, by the Fyzabad Declaration, establishing the platform for this party in association with each other. After almost two years I am convinced, more than ever now, that we need to take a look at the declaration to determine where we are and whether we have been true to its principles.”
He made it clear that he does not want to see the People’s Partnership as a single political party.
"That is out of the question. Individual members of the Partnership must continue to build and evolve as individual parties. The equation is that a strong COP equals a strong People’s Partnership," Ramadhar said.
The St Augustine MP urged all leaders of the coalition to pay particular attention to Clause Six of the Declaration which states, in part, that the “interest of our beloved country shall be put before party and individual self-interest”.
Clauses six states further that partners must “implement a public policy programme to improve the quality of life of the people of Trinidad and Tobago based on shared principles, national development and national unity”.
Ramadhar said he will make no apology for calling for dialogue although he has faced criticism in the past for doing so.
“You will recall that I requested a meeting of all political leaders that make up this Partnership. For doing something with only the best of intention and motives, I was attacked by some and castigated by many. But that is the price that some must sometimes pay for determined leadership,” he said.
The COP leader said he has asked the party’s general secretary to write to the general secretaries of the other parties “to set a date and time that will be convenient” for all members to meet.
“While I can personally testify to the hectic time in public life, nothing can be more urgent than getting the people’s business right,” he said.
Read related story: Fyzabad Declaration is one year old - Read Kamla Persad-Bissessar verbatim
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