Dominica has always been unique in many ways. We are the only island in the Caribbean with remnants of pure indigenous people. We are sandwiched between two French islands (extensions of France). We can boast of several intellectuals all over the world in leadership positions. Shamefully, we’ve been associated with corruption in many forms, international gangsters and dictators who we vehemently defend. We are the ‘Nature Island of the Caribbean’, among others. I said all that to say, we are more than what we see or believe!
Politics in Dominica has become entrenched in our subconscious mind. Our daily activities are influenced by the party we are affiliated with. Where we buy our bread or where we do our grocery shopping is subconsciously determined by the inner machinations that we have allowed to define who we have become! Where and by whom we sit in church is somehow a blue or a red thing! Party politics have to a large extent become a master of our mind.
After 10 years of existence, the United Workers Party (UWP) under Edison James formed the government in 1995. From all accounts, they were a productive party but were defined in opposition circles as being corrupt. This essentially led to their loss at the polls in 2000. My opinion is that this was a façade put on by the opposition. They were supported by the well-to-do’s in Dominica. Also, James may have taken his party’s success, perceived or otherwise, for granted and called early elections. They lost and a coalition took over the reins of power in Dominica.
Fast track to 2014. I concluded then that this was the best chance for the UWP to regain leadership of the country because they were, like Bob Marley says, ‘coming in from the cold’. However, throughout the years there have been calls for electoral reform because of a bloated voter’s list, accusations of bribery by the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) locally and the literal transportation of voters from overseas in time for Election Day. Granted, the UWP was not as ‘strong’ and organized as it was in its heyday. Observers have accused the ruling party of manipulating the system to their advantage.
But is the electorate satisfied with the DLP’s performance and management of the political climate on island? While the natural overnight drift from the DLP to the UWP and from the UWP to the DLP continues, the majority thinks that the UWP is on the rise again. Crossing the floor is not considered a high status move from a party’s point of view. In Dominica, it is always considered a personal payback. It was a rocky start for their leader, Lennox Linton and although he is still not liked by some, he seems to be coming into his own. Criticism is rife that the Prime Minister has some dictatorial tendencies based on his decision-making methods and practices.
The radical decision made by the DLP leader with regard to 13 constituency contenders, is a risky one. In my opinion, the move could be extremely wise or extremely dumb. The DLP has not been very vocal as in previous election seasons. Is that a sign of weakness, less support or fading confidence? Political strategists study voting and other trends and the behaviour of voters. Interestingly, a name that stands out is Crispin Gregoire who switched support from the DLP to the UWP and is presumably their chief strategist. The UWP claims to be ready whenever the elections are called but simultaneously taking its time to put together the best team for all 21 constituencies.
Having said that, the DLP should not be taken for granted despite all the negatives that have been postulated against them. The Labour party is not as formidable as it was in the early 2000s. Their popularity seems to be waning. But, they have the experience, the financial wherewithal, and they are in government. A party in power should only lose reelection when the peoples’ interest is worn out! Is that the case right now? Twenty years is a very long time. Electors are the ones who put parties in government and their democratic power will transfer into a prodigious but enduring force on Election Day.
There will be change if this election cycle is going to be defined by:
- Demand for higher salaries and wages; increased standard of living
- The need for an international airport (justified or ill-perceived)
- Economic growth
- Electoral reform as seen by all political parties
- Concern for saving Dominica’s name here and abroad
- Concern for increased outward migration
- More and higher paid jobs
- Better management of the country’s resources
Voter sensitivity on the above themes will benefit either the New Labour as espoused by Vince Henderson or the Rising UWP as advocated by Crispin Gregoire. The voters in the middle and those on the fence however, must be well-informed, educated, convinced and involved in order to vote their conscience. I am aware that those who can only see blue will vote blue, and those who can only see red will vote red. But the objective and informed voter will determine the elections if the playing field is even? Is it?
One may think that the UWP chances to win the upcoming general elections is forthwith I’m of the opinion that the only way the UWP will resurrect , its when the Leadership is changed. I think , Crispin Gregoire would better serve as a Leader with his qualifications and background. I cant see him serving under Lennox Linton, there would be trouble in the camp
It is not a dying DLP it’s a dying lazy Roosevelt Skerrit. and a rising uwp.
uwp is not going to win because we have a tiny minded population who will vote not for development, not for a bright future, but for handouts. if skerritt stop the handouts see who go vote him.
there are three groups of wise dumbinicans. the ones who have fled from the island and refuse to come back. the ones who are supporters of labour for their own gain and will support him as long as their tails are being covered. and the ones who cant do anything about their fate for now but are working on getting the hell out because skeritt has made things so bad that even if uwp wins, it will take a whole term or more to make things better.
then there is the majority. uneducated, lowminded, illiterate, dependents.
That’s a nonsensical article… period!
By the writer’s own imagination, he/she has list a series of economic prosperity failures but yet still UWP is being used as a barometer of the fidelity owed by Diminicans to government, pledging allegiance to their island.
When the UWP wins it will be because like God told Moses in EXo 3:7 “I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters”
Skerrit is the Evil taskmaster along with his Evil advisors that plunged our beautiful country into a place where everything good has left us and replaced by everything evil. I see Linton as the Moses of Exodus 3, who was raised by God to deliver Da from the evil Roosevelt Skerrit.
Like Moses, Mr. Linton made his mistakes and in his love for Dominica he was forced to pay large sums of money and he was hated more by those he was fighting for. But Moses went through it as seen in Exo. 2:11-14, when he went visit his Hebrew brethren, he met an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, and he killed the Egytian. A day later he met 2 Hebrews fighting and he stopped them only to find out he was reproached for his error.
Whatever Linton did he did it for me, for you, for our children, for love of country!!!!
Amen, and Amen, well said, well put. We are in trying time now, we need to take back Domininca from this failed evil corrupt labour government led by a failed inept Odd Minister Skerrit and his 19 waste of time so called helpless failed minister. Skerrit must go, we need new leadership and decent open, transparency government. My people, we welcome Hon Linton and his well supported honest UWP team.
Skerrit must go, he has failed us get out Go away, Go mind your Funky Business.
We need decent government, decent people. Skerrit Go Away, Corrupt labour Go away.
We Welcome you Hon Lennox Linton and your professional decent UWP Team
Strength. Cause if we examine this the last elections we had a lot of imported votes. So its their strength but I am also leaning on a dying labour party will contribute as well.
If so-called Workers calamity party wins it will be the end of Dominica. And don’t forget last man out please turn off the lights 🚥
Dominica has already ended under the failed leadership of our laziest Prime Minister Roosevelt “Lazy” Skerrit.
Team Dominica will give life to Dominica again under the dynamic leadership of patriot the honourable Lennox Linton. Your petulant child!!
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
Have you considered changing your diet? It seems that just eating dogs is not doing you very good… your IQ is deteriorating and so is your clarity of thought… try a local dish and be sure to drink some sea moss. You may also need your eyes tested…
Mr Man. The reality is that UWP will not win a single seat. It will be 21 to 0 DLP 100% win. The UWP people knows that. That is what you read in their mental desperation. The result will be exactly like Barbados last elections.Lennox will not be leader of the opposition. The President in his own deliberate judgement will appoint an opposition leader and senators.
Remember when I said in a post that Lennox would be in New York and Houston Tx this month, so let us see if anyone is prepared with cash on the line to bet against my prediction.
Skerrit is a brilliant political strategist and is going to win as I predicted. He will set a new record in D A.
This Joseph John, is in denial. Good luck sir, or political clown. Time will tell. Your corrupt Labour is diminishing right before your very eyes. You are so blind to see the corruption, lack of development, and laziness of talk and more talk from your failed PM and his failed Labour government Shame on you guys to have supported such immature government and hopeless Mininisters. Skerrit must Go. Get Lost….Go away.
you are right. it will be a calamity for the first term. because labour has made it so bad that to make it all right again, without all the bobol money, the nation will suffer for a while. the uneducated low minded people wont see it this way though. sad
and skerit will lead you on a handout role for now and he will win again cause our majority are fools, but eventually we will get so many visa restrictions, so many blacklists, so many countries will disassociate with us , we will have so much bad name that suffering for a few years while linton makes it right would have been a better alternative.
LOL…LOL…LOL….Ha…ha..ha.. This is the voice of a scared guy who knows by now that his corrupt Labour Government and his failed immature Skerrit Are n their way out. This so called man Bites Dogs, is barking all t way to the end of the line of Skerrit and his Corrupt Regime, that so called Labour government. The calamity rests well and is deeply buried at the house of the corrupt Labour government and man bites dogs circle the yard every day like a woof woofing predator, (a person who ruthlessly exploits others). That is is where Man Bites Dog and his failed Skerrit and worthless Labour government are today. They have failed Dominica and this Predator appears to be well positioned to be n denial and the Skerrit corrupt Boat sinks slowly into the Abyss of nowhere and that is good for Domininca.
Skerrit will Go, Corrupt Labour Government will go and Domininca will rise again under our decent UWP Leader Hon Linton and his highly professional UWP Team. Welcome UWP, we await you.
Well DNO why not put out a poll on this very question. I know for a fact that most Dominicans want a change, but will bite thier tongue in saying so. That Lennox has no CXC’s and despite knowing his handicap, failed or better yet, wilfully did not pursue high school and college level qualifications in the 5 years he has been in politics. Also UWP is a marigot dominated party with some Salisbury and wesley puppets. Thats another reason most people in red seats afraid to switch because UWP not going to check them when they in power.
You stick with the 2 Skerrits why don’t you! I tell you all, he has no degree nor has she! However what both of them have in abundance is money that belongs to Ma Dominique. Corruption is rife in Skerrits government and the police service has been misused as a private army. But this is only the beginning of it… you all wait and see when Skerrit looses the election…! He won’t leave without a fight!
Ti Garcon, Skerrit has been i f=government now for ver 18 years, what and where is his achievement with the so called qualifications you may say he has. Well, it appears that there is obviously a weakness in adopting principles and putting to action the things that yo failed leader should have undertaken if he is so called qualified and has some level of decorum to bud Dominica. he is a failure and illiterate in the work and management of socio-economic development. The intelligence and vast experience that Hon Lennox Linton has, Skerrit has 1% awareness g this this and his failure is well observed and for all to see the poverty, the corruption, the thievery, the nonsense talk and also the so called bestowed ductored, and for what. It is s fake, it was just given due to no exams or achievement. So sir, there is no way you are able to compare Hon inton with Skerrit. Skerrit is not in that click, and professional company. Listen to Hon Linton talk and present and listen to failed Skerrit
DLP. died already. ……DLP is more than just a. Political leader.
DLP by itself is weak and skerrit is a weak leader who is controlled by outside political forces.
UWP never sold out the leadership De party is stronger because of DLP defection.
What Defection ? UWP lost two candidates because of defection.
I see many people who were wearing blue on stage last election with the slogan “Skerrit must go” already singing a different tune and wearing their red shirts because Skerrit did not go. Is that the defection you are talking about.
this election going to define everything so labour better be ready and up also be its going to have alot of people crying and alot of people happy.So the people of Dominica just be strong and do what’s right.
One major factor for UWP’s impending victory is the exceptional leadership of patriot honourable Le nnox Linton. This man has endured the most torment that any political leader has endured..From his entry into the political arena (DLP asked for him) to the present, DLP leaders, followers, lawyers, zealots, bigots, have tried to denegrate,insult,villify and even jail the patriot. From calling him novice and unfit to lead (he was a novice at the time),to inplicating him in a stalled truck coup and incitement, all the evil plans of the wickeds have failed!!!
The patriot has exposed those wicked,using his exquisitely fine “gift of the gab”,,and trust me,he captivates your interest,unlike Skerrit who is very inarticulte..The patriot speeches can pack a punch .
I admire him. Good role model for the youth.Wish I could say that for lazy Skerrit, the imposter!
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now
You are right he has “the gift of gab. ” But you cant take “gab” to the bank. He could do good as a used car salesman. Buy the way “gab” is a short version for “garbage.” That means getting away with “Parlay Sort”. It sounds good and victims of used car salesmen fall for it all the time, like victim of smoking falling for cigarettes ads. Scammers have the gift of gab. They do not even need grade school education. One guy was such a good talker he sold the Empire State Building TWICE. An other guy sold ocean beach front lots in Arizona. Both guys DID NOT graduate from elementary school. They were drop outs.
Who cares? What is important to us is that we Fire Roosevelt Skerrit, the man I voted and campaigned for in 2000, 2005, 2009 and 2014 elections. because Dominica deserves much better than the corrupt thing we have in DA today in the name of government. Name and party means nothing to us now. If a man is in the Ocean drowning does it matter who jumps in the water to save him? Dominica is in deep trouble and right now who saves her is not important, whether it is UWP, another DLP party, DFP or even Pappy. Anyone that is ready to put their hand up is all we need.
So Skerrit has won 4 elections in a row ,2000, 2005, 2009 and 2004. Wow that is what you call a winner. Can you please tell me which party he beat so badly….4 times in a row. Now you convince me that he will win a 5th time. But all this time no one ask for electoral reform, interesting. So what has changed ? For 40 years after independence we had elections under the same constitution , so what has change to make reform so urgent.
Joseph John, what has change is after Pierre Charles died, this labour blind pappyshow Red Labour put in this inexperience early thirties man to run this country. Mr. John, question: would you have your 16/17 years old immature boy marry your 16 yr old daughter? Would you take that risk? No, you would not because you will have to feed them, they are immature and not ready mentally, professional, academically etc for this high jump into marriage, a responsible feat.
That is what after 19 years we have been exposed to by having this immature Baby Skerro run government and an ailing country. Skerrit, with his lack of exposure in government has ruin our Domininca, killed our agricultural sector and just like this little boy running the street without pants playing marble hole and in government he has destroyed every potential in agriculture, commerce we had to develop our Domininca. This is so sad and has stained our name and reputation with this passport sales scandal and Bin Bobol. Out
I am called all kinds of names because I predicted that the one term party UWP will not win next elections, it will loose big time. According to Paul T they won one election in !995 by a majority of one seat, 11 of 21. In their 24 years of existence one “floups”
They want to give the impression that they can do a better job in government……..fake news. They sound like a con artiste. If you can do better show me . Tell me how .
This is the age o enlightenment so enlighten us on how you can do better.
As I have said before you do not have to be in government to do something good for the people to show that you care for their welfare.
What have you done in your 24 years? What have you done for the last 4 years.
As members of Parliament your income from government is guaranteed every month (12/12 ).
Last I heard the UWP leader Lennox Linton was in the USA telling Dominicans that they cannot come to vote illegally . That is how you campaign in a foreign land ? You did…
Certainly not because of their strength. The UWP is very weak when it comes to strategizing. They have failed in many areas, they are unable to captivate the confidence of the masses as a result. They have yet to confirm all 21 candidates and that is a big lapse. Constituencies such as Grandbay, Petite Savanne, Vieille Case, Kalinago Territory should already have their candidates on the ground working tirelessly. Have they surrendered these seats? Are these seats not important to the Party? The UWP will lose this election and will live to regret because of their poor organizational skills.
With the above said, DLP has a made a huge blunder with some of the candidate selection. The biggest is RS. I am registered in that constituency and will cast my vote for the first time, if it’s the will of the Almighty. I must say with Jahasiah not being the chosen one, it has created a damper and so the Party will suffer. However, the UWP is lacking and so DLP will remain at the helm.
DC, I agree with what you say completely and feel like I could not articulate it any better. I will add also that their strategy from the start was flawed. The game plan targetted primarily the Prime Minister and the faults of him (making everything about that one man) while they completely ignored that besides your ability to oppose, the people are also interested in what contributions can be made to the country. That is why, and they themselves knows it, their supporters are those who have always been UWP supporters or persons who felt that they did not benefit from programmes that the current government have to implement.
To say that their supporters are always those who have been UWP supporters made me take you as a joker…UWP increased its votes by more than 5000 last election 2014. We’re the 5000 plus always UWP supporters? All signs are it will continue to increase this time around.So you are not writing from an informed point of view, rather a joker point of view!!!!.The party badly needs a candidate in the Petite Savanne constituency, which is becoming very interesting I fully endorse that!Kalinago and Vieille Case candidates are there already..
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
If you are debating with someone, you need to address the entire statement made and you only addressed one part of my statement which my other points covered. If you know anything about politics (not partisanship), the longer a party is in office the harder it is for them to win elections. Hence, read the statement following the “already strong UWP supporter” comment, “people who felt that they did not benefit from something that the current government have implemented”. You hear them. Now in terms of the UWP, their strategy is weak. Okay fine, you say the government needs to be replaced, but what can you do to prove that you are better? That you can do the job? All I know the UWP for is opposing, protesting, radio shows. What project or programme have they implemented? Where they around to help after we were hit by bad weathers? What does their report card reflect?
It is a long time, Mr. Madam DC that I have read such illiterate nonsense. Read again and read carefully between the lines. What is it you are trying to say, or create? You exhale with this rubbish – “The UWP is very weak when it comes to strategizing. They have failed in many areas, they are unable to captivate the confidence of the masses as a result. After 18 years this failed corrupt labour government under this failed immature Odd Minister Skerrit, what failure are you referring us to, or are you in deep denial and also scared of this corrupt labour government are going to be kicked out of office due their failing performance and openly Bobol corruptions, and abusive red clinic year in year out. Dominica has been ruined by a very corrupt labour government and a highly failed leader, Skerrit. There is no way that Skerrit is able to step into the professional shoes of Hon Lennox Linton, and that is what you scared blind Labourites are scared of. Skerrit has overstayed & corrupted…
Stop being a bully @veiwsexpressed. You are always quick to name drop and belittle people when they are not in support of the UWP. Be respectful to other people’s opinions. Plus she is not wrong. Take the critic and improve on it because I am certain that the Prime Minister listens when you all speak and try to work on critics. The UWP strategy is weak. Their report card is weak. They succeeded in opposing and what? They have not proved their ability to do anything but oppose. This is evident through their manifesto. They simply regurgitated all the works of the current government with a little fairy dust thrown here and there. Which shows that they can only oppose, they look for weaknesses only (not even strength) and speak on it to their benefit. They have not shown what they can actually do or how they can do it. Not even after Maria which was a great time to do this. Instead, they stayed quiet until it was time again to oppose.
UWP has always been from it’s inception, the most powerful political organisation on island …They would have won in 2009 and 2014 if our elections were fair ..UWP only loses when the incumbent does what it does best, to cheat!!!
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
Workersssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
@% – Agreed. The UWP has been the single strongest political party in Dominica since about 1995 with a sustained base.
Folks must remember that it was a coalition arrangement of the Labour & Freedom party birthed within lies that had to be formed to get the UWP out of power in 2000.
Since then it has been a hybrid Labour-Freedom operation with the assistance of overseas voters to keep the UWP out. That alliance appears to be gradually weakening over time. One does not go to such great and desperate lengths to defeat a party that is so weak (as the deluded supporters of Skerrit try to paint the UWP as).
Any 2 or 3 party election race run freely & fairly in Dominica is most likely to be won by the UWP. Skerrit & his handlers know that.
The UWP won the 1995 elections by winning 11 of the 21 constituencies they got less votes than the freedom party, so in terms of popular vote the UWP was a minority government, they couldn’t stand the heat so they surrendered after 4 an a half years. Lies? Is it a lie that the UWP couldn’t pay civil servants on time? Is it a lie that they owed social security millions of $$$$$? Is it a lie that they sold Domlec? Is it a lie that they sold a passport to an individual who was wanted by the Australian authorities? Is it a lie that they could not pay local merchants for goods and services supplied to government? What is the political philosophy of the strong UWP, is it Skerrit must go? The UWP is a lazy party and they will continue elections untill they are no more.
It is my sad observation that many voters (not just in Dominica, but worldwide) stick religiously to their party of choice. Seldom do they know what the policies are or care even. As you have already said, they will vote blue or red irrespective of all the objectives you have laid out and then some.
DLP is dying and people are left with no choice. People have been fedup with DLP for a while now but saw no alternative in the opposition. Right now its do or die, its like anything is better than having DLP back and its their own doing. Instead of sitting back and allowing people to see the progress after almost 20 yrs in office you all over wasting money, empty promises, buying people, such disrespect. Nothing sustainable in being pursued therefore we see it as a way to keep us poor and begging the man with the Almighty complex. For whatever number of reasons warranted or not people do not like Lennox Linton. We are giving him a chance because we know how easy it is to put UWP out if they fail so they better not fail us.
Your opinion, nothing to support it . Just have to wait for the polls. The DLP after certainly did not look dead, the UWP was missing in action and some were crying saying how hungry they were.
Anon isnt DNO about opinions? you just typed your own opinion. If you think pretending will help you then break a leg but the writing is on the wall.
Anon….you said “missing in action” very convincingly . M.I.A. THAT IS all WHAT THIS ONE TERM PARTY CAN DO all the time, and it will be the same next election. They will all be missing their deposits. They proved their weakness and their unusefulness re ERICA, MATHEW and MARIA when they all went M.I. A.. Do they have a new name UWP = unuseful weak party .