Vital and Christian eye the top DFP spot as the party prepares for its delegates convention

Kent Vital (l) and Dr Sam Christian are vying for leadership of the DFP

General Secretary of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Johnson Boston, has said that as the DFP moves forward, the main focus of its members is to rebuild the party in order to be strong and viable.

However, after the party’s delegates convention this weekend, the responsibility to lead this undertaking will fall either on economist Kent Vital or medical doctor Sam Christian

Boston has identified Vital and Christian as the two contenders for the leadership of the party that holds the distinction of producing Dominica’s first female prime minister, the late Dame Mary Eugenia Charles.

Speaking to Dominica News Online (DNO) on Thursday, Boston said the DFP has served in government for many years and though it has gone through its struggles over the years, a number of persons are still showing interest.

“As we go forward we don’t know what the future will hold, but at present our focus is on rebuilding the party, making it strong and viable to present itself at the next election to the people of Dominica and they will decide, based on our program, policies and plans to lead the country,” he said. “I must say to you the members are very solid, honest and strong vibrant Dominicans are coming forward to work with us.”

The DFP stalwart said the party has served in the government “and the people have seen development activities taking place in every sector and therefore people are remembering the work done” and they feel that the freedom party still has a lot to offer to the country.

According to Boston, in the interest of Dominica, “the freedom party is always willing to do what is best for Dominica and Dominicans and put the best things forward.”

With the belief that things can change drastically for the party and for Dominica by extension, party members have been in what Boston describes as an outreach program where they visit the various constituencies and engage people to receive their input.

“There is a lot of good will for the party throughout the country,” Boston noted, “There is a lot of encouragement out there…”

Referring to the 2000-2005 coalition between the Dominica Freedom Party and the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) which helped the DLP regain political power after 20 years, Boston pointed out, “We remained in a separate party, we accept our liability and responsibility so we have been an independent party.”

According to Boston, a few people remained in the coalition while others who felt that the country needs better, went back to the Freedom Party.

“And of course recognizing the role that the freedom party plays in past governments and on its own, we felt that we should reorganize the party and that is the task we have undertaken for the past years gone,” Boston said.

He said the new leader will be elected when the party holds its Delegates Convention on Sunday 6th August 2017 at the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) Building.

“At that convention, the DFP will be responding to the call, Uniting Dominica,” Boston noted.

The event will include an open session for members of the party, non-members, as well as specially invited guests and the media.

Former Dominican Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Crispin Gregoire will be the Guest Speaker and delegates will also be addressed by present DFP Leader, Michael Astaphan.

“At the end of the conference, Mr. Astaphan will be a member of the party. He is not vying for leadership,” Boston explained. “He will continue to be a part of the party; he will continue serving the party…”

A Deputy Leader, Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer will also be elected at the conference.

The meeting is expected to begin at 3:00 p.m.

Boston says the DFP is on the path of rebuilding

 

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39 Comments

  1. Bro
    August 6, 2017

    I will only support Freedom if they are truly independent if the UWP. No cohesion and tag teaming. And they they better deliver a positive message, and a solid manifesto. They should expect to win next elections, maybe not even a seat, but their aim should be ~5000 votes. It doesn’t matter if that results in DLP getting a bigger majority in the house- they are garanteed to win next election anyway. The goal has to be to replace the UWP and the main alternative in 2025 and win.

  2. Engineer
    August 5, 2017

    What Sam is actually doing is destroying Lennox Linton and the UWP chances of winning a general election. He knows very well that Roseau North and South will always vote Freedom. So by taking away these two constituencies, UWP is out. What Lennox should do is step down as party leader to give the UWP a better chance . Having said all that. The DLP will still win the next general election.

  3. getto yout
    August 4, 2017

    Kent is my boy but he in the wrong party.

  4. ??
    August 4, 2017

    Good luck with that…..

  5. winston warrington
    August 4, 2017

    The plan is for the DFP to provide extreme unction to the UWP, but that is a waste of effort. Together, they will be crushed by the DLP after the major projects are complete and we set our sights on rebuilding Roseau and Portsmouth .

  6. Boy Are we screwed !
    August 4, 2017

    This is interesting. C Gregoire is trying a thing with DFP??????? Herbie Volney tried a thing with Neo-DLP and we what goose flesh now Gregoire ! wazzup with that flip from left to right bro? Has he become dyslexic all of a sudden?Now where does Gabbo stand on that? Not where he sits??Is Astaphan being marginalised bc of cousin Lil Toni,as Judith is in mourning? Will the two former Cabinet secs ( notice I did not call names but general knowledge should kick in) who turn RED just like dat since 2000 will turn back Green? Will all the potos Mamo(s) sing a sanki and find their way back home?
    Some peeps will be singing Farrel’s happy happy ,happy.”So am happy that all the DFP’s are coming together again” Happy that we can run tings again happy Paint ur house in GREEN if U’ve happy.With acrobatics like that DA can send a contingent to the 2020 olympics a new area of competition for DA.There’s only one problem foreseen: They are very much older today they might break something…

    • UDOHREADYET
      August 4, 2017

      You have jokes :lol: :lol:

  7. Donald_Trump_IQ_156
    August 4, 2017

    Sam Christian is my PM

  8. Me
    August 4, 2017

    Isn’t that Sam Christian guy a UWPite? What is he doing in the DFP party?(snake). Remember UWP was formed by people who were disgruntled with the DFP whilst Miss Charles was in power. Be weary of the wolves in ship’s clothing

  9. August 4, 2017

    Sam has something cooking. Soon a marriage will be announced between the DFP and UWP. These “patriots” never cease to amaze me, so I’m waiting to see what comes of this change in leadership.

  10. correct lyrics
    August 4, 2017

    Change the name of the party please,; maybe DRFP Dominica Renewed Freedom Party or something

  11. The Darkness
    August 4, 2017

    More people whose toungues will be forked… another colorful distraction… we already had red and blue…

    Anyone who is hungry for power is not fit to lead…
    Anyone who sees money before people is not fit to lead…
    Anyone who actively practices deceit is not fit to exist…

    So which of these categories do you guys not fall in?

    We are waiting…

  12. latitude e5550
    August 4, 2017

    was freedom years ago i am now labour, freedom will not be back any time soon, the majority of their followers are in labour party. long live our good leader skerrit

  13. August 4, 2017

    Hmmm, the same Sam Christian?

  14. August 4, 2017

    Another revamping which will prove futile.

  15. Dominican
    August 4, 2017

    I would so love to support the DFP I tired with both DLP and UWP but alas these two are just UWP undercover agents to split votes.

    • UDOHREADYET
      August 4, 2017

      yup you guessed it!

  16. JOE
    August 4, 2017

    For DFP to become relevant they must act independent of the uwp…. UWP has proven to be the worse political party ever to be registered in the Commonwealth of Dominica.

    But from their Wednesday night discussions i observe they are going down the same route with UWP….Talking the same nonsense….

    • %
      August 4, 2017

      Joe stop your brazen HYPOCRICY.What is the composition of this party you grovel to for breakfast,lunch and dinner???Your doggone deceiver .It is about 60% DFP behind the scene.So remenber when you come on DNO,it is not Lagon you are talking to your uninformed followers who clap at even insults hurled at people.Come better than that, before I further EXPOSE you! YOUR HYPOCRITE!!!
      SKERRIT MUST GO
      SKERRIT MUST GO
      SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!

  17. TripleD
    August 4, 2017

    By their fruits you shall know them. This is what I expect from all the parties:
    1. To hear what they have to say on the campaign trail for sustainable development
    of Dominica
    2. To reveal a slate of candidates who are not necessarily priests, but who are morale
    and have the development of the country at heart
    3. To outline a feasibly implementable economic strategy to get away from CBI
    dependency
    4. A solid manifesto
    I expect that of the DFP, UWP, DLP, and that new party, PPOD. These are the only four serious ones I see so far.

  18. Not me alone
    August 4, 2017

    I am poto Freedom but the truth is, we must take responsibility for where both our party and country is today because our leaders whom we trusted, literally sold it to the DlP and the evil team of Skerrit. As a result, the DFP CANNOT win another election any time soon and really I cannot see any constuency they can win or even come out second. I think what they are doing will jus help Skerrit remain in power longer. In the interest of DOMINICA they should help the opposition free DOMINICA, and in return uwp should give us a few senators to help us rebuild.

    • %
      August 5, 2017

      This is a very sensible comment.

  19. Massacre
    August 4, 2017

    I wish you all well. It is time Dominicans begin too think outside the box.
    We should all remember that almost 90% of current DLP members are fake! Most of them are DFP traitors who sold their soles for a few cups of silver. That too shall come to pass.
    It is the Freedom party that put Dominica on the world stage , I hope the party revives and bring back Dominica’s good name in the international forum.
    We will be proud to hold a Dominican passport in any airport once again.

  20. puss
    August 4, 2017

    Mr Vital you have my support.

  21. August 4, 2017

    It is high time that Linton and Sam come together to put out Skerrit because Dominica in on the brink of strangulation with the high level of corruption which is taking place in the country.Skerrit fooling the uneducated idiots with lies and false promises.

  22. viewsexpressed
    August 4, 2017

    The DFP has a mountain to climb as it has not been attracting new members and appears that current members are a bit disenchanted, not because no longer associated to DFP, but because the stage Dominica is now the only visible alternative now to Skerrit’s corrupt Labour Party is UWP, a very credible opposition and government in waiting with a very dynamic leadership and team. Not that DFP should be ruled out, but we have to come together to fight this evil political selfish and corrupt Labour government, they are dangerous and to date Hon Linton is a champion and his credible team with good people with Dominica at heart. We must focus on Dominica as the DFP rebuilds but not yet ready for government.
    Dominicans: Skerrit Must Go and Now

    • %
      August 4, 2017

      I guess it’s early days still,but this is the only alternative,and the DFPites should know that!
      SKERRIT MUST GO
      SKERRIT MUST GO
      SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!

  23. FOUKIRI IODINE
    August 4, 2017

    so d doc party already fall like d walls of jerico and a dead freedom is his life support but i hear d outlaw father pushing Foukiri to become DFP boss.

  24. Julius John-Charles
    August 3, 2017

    We need an alternative political party.The time is more than right for the DFP

  25. %
    August 3, 2017

    To the two individuals vying for leadership,which ever one emerges,I am CONFIDENT that your goal will be to build this country,from the morass and dungeon into which the clowns of the DLP cabal has plunged it.Dominica and Dominicans have neven seen such dark days under any previous administration. Poverty,indigency,grovelling,hopelesness,abuse, insult,unemployment,underemployment,and to top it all frittering of our CBI money,under the guise fo “SMALL BUSINESS”etc…Don’t enter into the ring with GREED before country please…LOVE YOU ALL Vital,Dr Christian and the rest.
    SKERRIT MUST GO
    SKERRIT MUST GO
    SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!

    • NYPD
      August 4, 2017

      When you break your house down two things must happen. You have a replacement house or you not rebuilding. In Dominica you must have a head of state. So my question to you is, who are you going to replace Skerrit with? You go around the Caribbean and everyone praises the work the PM is doing for the country but for some reason it’s not enough. Dominica is much better off than the dark days of UWP. Dominicans are smart enough and I am confident they will never put someone like Lenox Linton at the helm.

      • %
        August 4, 2017

        Your DLP numskull,and dipstick the people will replace Skerrit,not me as an individual person..And please stop your brazen insult of the Caribbean people,by making this vexing statement that anyone in the Caribbean is praising our PM..This statement is tantanount to asinity.I know people of your ilk dont read,but the Commonwealth Observer Team told the DLP cabal that election 2014 WAS NOT FAIR..We all knew UWP would have won in a fair election.You are an idiot,so you dont know that.Anyway I wish both candidates well,and urge them to represent as statesmen and not greedies.
        SKERRIT MUST GO
        SKERRIT MUST GO
        SKERRIT MUST GO NOW

      • Budding Political virtuoso
        August 5, 2017

        This is why we are screwed as a nation.
        Govt sucks………………..
        Opposition Leader too bright for his own good his ignorance or should I say is his limitation( was a Potto DFP ite too don’t forget(even a Larry King wanna be .How quicky we forget we forget.
        DFP- don’t forget People 80-95 gross boug rule. Planter class peeps.This Gov’t has to go and the oppositions are weak so any way we cut it DA is screwed.The Chinese already bought us. The Russians are here ask the Mahaut Lawyer/politician opportunist.a by product of adject poverty who sold his soul to DLP ,UWP back to DLP back to UWP now to Russia.With opportunists everywhere we are well screwed.

      • Yes sah
        August 5, 2017

        Lennox Linton? Lennox is running for leadership of the DFP too?

  26. Righteous
    August 3, 2017

    Look man fighting for power. You think that Dr easy. He figure if he get the DFP leadership, they can try a coalition thing with the UWP. Ah wha they ah go do for power….

    OLD

    • %
      August 4, 2017

      Well my friend or DLP slave this fetid DLP which you are groveling to, is master of deception, prince of darkness, and their objective is keep you just as you are. Hope you are not one of THOSE they pay to follow Skerrit and clap, while he is insulting Dominicans. DLP is master of coalition. They did this with DFP, and treacherously and deceptively went and sent candidates TO CONTEST in constituencies that DFP could win. THEY ARE TRECHEROUS!!!!! Do you know where Julius Timothy(Tim-Tim) and Loraine Banis were, before DLP snatched them away? DLP’S AIM IS NOT to educate you my friend, its to keep you forever blind while they plunge Dominica in an abyss like Venezuela is IN today. Skerrit is a “MISLEADER”, not a leader!!!!
      SKERRIT MUST GO
      SKERRIT MUST GO
      SKERRIT MUST GO NOW

    • AWA WI
      August 4, 2017

      You too a**, tebeh, dotish, stupid, sort.

  27. Tj
    August 3, 2017

    A breath of fresh air in politics in DA

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