After a brief recess in commemoration of Independence Day, the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago resumed on Friday with a moment of silence for Queen Elizabeth II who died on Thursday.
Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert spoke on behalf of the government. In his speech to the House of Representatives, Imbert offered his condolences to King Charles III, the Queen’s family and the people of England.
Acknowledging Dr Rowley’s absence, Imbert said he was speaking for the cabinet, with one voice, in the language of grief and loss. He reflected on the sovereign’s contribution to the world, noting that she has overseen the installation of 15 prime ministers starting with Sir Winston Churchill and ending with Elizabeth Truss, whom she formally met two days before her death.
Additionally, the Acting Prime Minister recalled the Queen’s visit to the country in 1966, 1985 and 2009, while T&T hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
“As part of the Cabinet at that time, I remember her visit here as one which brought great joy to many, as well as to us, this was the only Monarch we have known. She was also an ardent admirer of the group of steel and insisted that the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Steel Band play at its recently concluded jubilee celebrations. Indeed their rendition of “Dancing Queen” was a most fitting tribute to a Monarch who has celebrated the culture of every Commonwealth nation.Pictures of her smiling and clapping
their performance was enough to warm the hearts of the steel band’s harshest critics. Sadly, that smile, interrupted by death, will be no more,” said Imbert.
However, he praised the Queen for her quiet diplomacy, which he said has facilitated the strengthening of democracy on many continents, even as many nations, such as Trinidad and Tobago, fought for and won independence from Great Britain during her reign.
The Acting Prime Minister said that she has ordered books of condolence to be opened for her separation in the Assembly rotunda and in the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CARICOM.
“In due course, we will advise on other ways, if necessary, Trinidad and Tobago will mourn the passing of Her Royal Majesty, The Queen,” he added.
The leader of the opposition remembers Queen Elizabeth as humorous, modest
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar also offered condolences on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, recalling her 70-year reign.
“Today, as our Commonwealth and the world mourn Her Majesty’s passing, we must remember her words that ‘Sorrow is the price we pay for love’ and it was Her Majesty’s love for our Commonwealth that enriched the lives of so many many people.” she said.
The head of the United National Congress (UNC) went on to note that the Queen lived an inspiring life and showed that neither youth nor gender would prevent her from assuming her role as monarch.
“Today, as women around the globe traverse the halls of power in every field, we can all say that Queen Elizabeth II stood as one of the early pioneers to inspire young women around the globe to believe that not only can women equal men at the wheel, but they can lead them,” Persad-Bissessar said.
Furthermore, she recalled meeting the Queen on the Commonwealth stage. At the time, Persad Bissessar was the first female head of the Commonwealth Office and the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
“I was greatly enlightened by her humor as well as her great humility, but even more, I was enriched by her desire to see a better world. At the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Australia, when I passed on as Chair of the Commonwealth Office to another female leader, then Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, we were most impressed by Her Majesty’s outstanding support for that year’s theme, ‘Women as Agents of Change’, while Her Majesty made a strong call to all leaders across the globe to unlock the true potential of our societies by ensuring that women and girls are allowed to play their full role in national development.”
Meanwhile, Persad-Bissessar expressed gratitude to the Queen for her years of love, kindness and commitment to the Commonwealth.
The Speaker of the House mourns the Queen who served with wisdom, grace
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Brigid Annisette-George, also honored Queen Elizabeth II, whose reign, she said, was characterized by unwavering devotion and service to her people.
As head of UNC, Annisette-George addressed the “tenor” of the Queen’s reign, noting that she became a symbol of leadership for women when she first inherited the crown.
The restrictions on her role, which required her to refrain from political commentary and any perception of political bias, however, did not prevent her from making statements in support of women’s equality and reinforcing these statements with her actions. Who can forget when Her Majesty led another Monarch to her Scottish estate? Or her statement in 2011 at the British Commonwealth Summit in Australia, encouraging societies to “find ways to allow girls and women to play their full role”, she asked.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives also reflected on the Queen’s visit to T&T in 1966, when she herself was among the jubilant schoolchildren who lined the streets of Port-of-Spain proudly waving the national flag to welcome her.
Turning her attention to the Queen’s leadership, she noted that Her Majesty has demonstrated her ability to lead and serve the people of England in good times and bad.
“The Royal Family, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth underwent constant change and experienced significant challenges during her reign and Her Majesty the Queen presided over them all, embodying duty, stability, wisdom and grace. I admire Her Majesty, in times of war, the Queen served alongside her people and in times of uncertainty and change, she stood firm and supportive of her people.”
“Her Majesty the Queen has fulfilled her promise to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth when she vowed that her whole life, whether long or short, will be devoted to their service. It is a promise that all the leaders of our beloved twin-Island Republic, present and future, including myself, must aspire to fulfill for the people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. I dare to add that the Queen fulfilled this role with humility great and may not notice it with elegant elegance. Her legacy proves to me that companionship with privilege is service, duty, responsibility and restraint.”
It ended with a call for a minute’s silence.
