Dookeran tells COP party must maintain its idealism, protect itself from special interest groups

Winston Dookeran and Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the launch of the People's Partnership manifesto in 2010

Political Leader of the Congress of the People, Winston Dookeran, has predicted that the party will grow from strength to strength in the coming years, adding that “the July 3rd Leadership Election represents new politics in action.”

At his final National Council meeting on Sunday the finance minister told COP members the emerging leadership will engender “a new consciousness and become the authors of the new political destiny of Trinidad and Tobago”.

He added, “The Congress of the People is shining today and will be the party for future generations, in spite of the challenging road ahead. The new leadership will have to navigate the COP through this challenge to the new frontiers of leadership and power.” 

Dookeran predicted that the mustard seed planted in 2006 would eventually become the tallest political tree in Trinidad and Tobago. “The COP was built on the true spirit of idealism and values which we will have to maintain at all times,” he continued.

He warned the party faithful that they should not succumb to the politics of money and we must protect the party from special interest groups.

Dookeran reminded that most of the COP’s 2007 Election Manifesto have found itself in the People’s Partnership Government today, adding that the party, has great influence in the government.

Dookeran noted that the COP’s Leadership election has attracted not only national interest, but international, saying that when he announced his decision two weeks ago not to seek re-election, the British Broadcasting Corporation carried it to its world audience. “The nation’s eyes are on us,” he ended.

Story submitted by COP media relations unit