AG pounces on opposition for withdrawing from sitting of parliament

Peter said the opposition action was no accident

Attorney General Levi Peter has blasted the opposition for withdrawing for the current sitting of the House of Assembly where the 2018/2019 National Budget is being debated.

Speaking in parliament earlier this week, Peter expressed concerns and said Dominicans should also be concerned.

“The role of the opposition is to function on behalf of those who have voted for them and indeed more broadly in terms of the sustenance of our democratic system to engage in democratic process and part of that is to come to the house and sit in the House and do the work of House,” he argued.

On Monday, the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) issued a statement giving a number of reasons why the decision was taken, among them Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s unexplained absence from Parliament for the Budget Response of the Leader of the Opposition.

According to Peter, the decision by the opposition to absent themselves from the House is no accident and stated whether sanctions should be considered.

“Maybe that is a matter that the House should consider and to consider whether there is an appropriate sanction for such behavior because in my humble opinion it is behavior which is inappropriate and certainly unjustified in the circumstances,” he remarked.

Peter stated also the fact that the opposition has indicated that they have withdrawn from the sitting of Parliament, “whether that means that they are accepting that the salary that is due to them should be withdrawn also.”

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56 Comments

  1. August 1, 2018

    Bro i know you can do better than that; i am therefore left with no choice but to ask one question; “how did one BAD APPLE” the Punjab PhD spoil a whole bunch so?” guess the saying is so true “you will be judged by the company you keep”.

  2. Paul
    August 1, 2018

    Peter u making so much money now your face looking like a bakes now eh … yesa all u will comout there wi very soon…

  3. free
    August 1, 2018

    Mr.Levi..”do unto others as you would like them do unto you” … ask your PM where he disappeared too because he is the Finance Minister and should have been there to respond to the Opposition. You all afraid of that Team Dominica. They do right not to come back to the house. Start behaving like proper Ministers not like unruly children. Kudos UWP

  4. Paul Rossnof
    August 1, 2018

    This man is a disgrace to this country the same way his master is! I hope the citizens of Dominica will finally wake up and smell the coffee. Another 5 years with this regime and Dominica is finished once and for all. Think of all your children.

    • kalaloo
      August 1, 2018

      Dominica is already finished. last kakarat in everything .resurrection we looking for right now.

  5. RandyX
    August 1, 2018

    This man is a disgrace to this country the same way his master is! I hope the citizens of Dominica will finally wake up and smell the coffee. Another 5 years with this regime and Dominica is finished once and for all. Think of all your children.

  6. More Fire!
    August 1, 2018

    “Equal Rights and Justice for all”, Who do you think you are Mr. Levi?, we living in a small world! That day must come, nothing last forever!

  7. Ibo France
    August 1, 2018

    The members of this ruling oligarchic government cannot clearly articulate a vision to lift Dominica out of this disastrous economic and social mess. They are at their best and most vociferous when cursing or throwing shades at the opposition. Instead of spending precious time beating up on UWP, use that time and energy to fix most of the ills in the country. Stop wasting time bad mouthing Mr. Linton and others and create jobs for the jobless, fix the crumbling roads and bridges, create a master plan to increase agricultural production, resuscitate the lifeless economy, lure back Ross University to the island. There are so many essential accomplishments to achieve, so little has been done to alleviate the pain and suffering of the citizens, yet your main goal is to embarrass and destroy the opposition. The country is badly in need of visionary leadership. Cursing and defaming fellow parliamentarians is simply unhelpful in bringing relief the poor and infirm.

  8. Diman Williams
    August 1, 2018

    Adult suffrage came to Dominica in 1951. The labour party came to power under Leblanc in 1960. The party ruled for 18 years. The Freedom Party ruled from 1980 for 15 years. The UWP was in office for 54 months. Labour returned in 2000 for 18 more years to date. Two years after 2000 elections they declared they had created a financial mess placed a levy on salaries and claimed it was not their fault, 16 years later they give the same excuse. DLP has been there for a total of 36 years so far which is more than double the others combined. Who then is most responsible for the mess in Dominica? After all these years they give us unqualified Levi to be AG who sings for his job. By the way, the opposition party is paid by the taxpaying people to represent their interest not only 2 -3 times a year in the House and it is the people that must decide at elections on the performance of both sides. I am certain that if the people had to decide on Levi Peters he would be out of a job long ago.

    • kalaloo
      August 1, 2018

      well said!! complete and utter failure.
      These guys need to be jailed for wasted lives brain drain and nothing to show, magwesah

  9. jamie
    August 1, 2018

    Levi your not worthy to be AG,you guys are a bunch of boys,Kelvar you too grow up,be a man,Skerrit are all your masters,Dominica is doomed and all of you will pay a hefty price soon,LENNOX IS A HONEST MAN AND HE WILL GET THE LAST LAUGH IN DUE TIME.

  10. Concern dominican
    August 1, 2018

    Hope when the law is passed and UWP are the sitting government the DLP supporters will adhere their rules. For 18 years the UWP have had to suffer the constant humiliation whilst the speaker enjoyed. Well, wind of change is blowing, change is a must????????????????????????

  11. Bwet Bouwik
    August 1, 2018

    Mr. AG your best bet is just take a ministry like the others because of course your role is not impartial. You need to have some respect for adults. Yes, they were voted by some people to represent them in parliament but because you have a degree in abusing authority, they are never allowed to make a meaningful contribution. The vote will always go against them in the house, so why belittle them and then tell them to remain and take the abuse? Yes they are being paid because they were legally placed there by another process which was abused. You can’t have it both ways. If you want them to participate you have to allow them to participate. You want them to come to the house and sit down and shut up. SMFH

  12. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    August 1, 2018

    Peter, puppets like you used by Roosevelt to defend him in whatever evil he does, day is soon approaching: The opposition is treated as if they do not have any right in the parliament. You are indeed correct they are representing a majority of our people also, and by all means they should be in parliament while it is in session.

    Nevertheless, if Roosevelt is so damn disrespectful that he refused to sit his behind and  lesson to the UWP response, that is an indication that he is placing himself above his opponent.

    What Roosevelt has said without speaking a word is that: I the god, and dictator has spoken, I presented a budget, like it or not your response matters not; I am Roosevelt the dictator! 

    Well boy Peter; what is good for the goose is also good for the gander; if Roosevelt left; walked out without informing or giving a legitimate reason to be absent, so to does the opposition have a right to with draw also! 

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      August 1, 2018

      ” sit his behind and  lesson ”

      So, Elizabeth please do not call me out on this one, I erred you see; the word should be ” listen” oui!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah! 

  13. Neverson St jean
    August 1, 2018

    Levi as a former colleague I have lost all respect for u. You are talking nonsense. U are the AG of dominica not the labor party. You did not receive a single vote in the last election. Just like the the speaker no one voted for u.

  14. joe
    July 31, 2018

    but to me I didn’t hear u when skerrit was absent

  15. We shall rise!
    July 31, 2018

    Very well said Mr AG. But I hope that it is across the board and all who IS ABSENT WILL BE PENALIZED REGARDLESS OF THEIR STATURE!!!

  16. Channel 1
    July 31, 2018

    Steeuuuuppppppppppsssss!!!!!

    How long again before dat sorry excuse of a government and its attorney general is removed from the backs of Dominicans boy. Phew.

  17. Danziger
    July 31, 2018

    I say withdraw the salary from them nous las avec zor ka walk out of PARLIMENT toute tan.

    • August 1, 2018

      If you were following the news in Ontario Canada yesterday you would have heard the Provincial Government refused to answer any further questions until another Minister from the other side APOLOGIZES for mocking a member of the Government because of how he spoke, it’s because the minster is from Pakistan, the house came to a halt, so you see conduct of any minister regardless of the party in the House is wrong and should be tolerated .

  18. RastarMarn
    July 31, 2018

    PardnerMan when you realize you are part of a regime whose fellows acts more like a Oligarchy rather than a Democracy the better off Dominicans on a whole, are going to be,,,

    Start with your Head of State including but not limited to the President,,,

    Why don’t you lambaste your Chief Financial Office for not be present for the response,,,

    Why is it there is fault in the position excusing themselves but the absence of Chief Financial Officer is not being questioned,,,

    Just like those people Lambaste you at that TownHall meeting at Bath Estate you should be booed again by the remaining members whom were present at the Parliament seating,,,

    • JBaptiste
      August 1, 2018

      Democracy is a myth. It has always been an oligarchy.
      “Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting to decide what’s for lunch”

  19. Rammy
    July 31, 2018

    Levi please keep quiet you don’t know what you are talking about.

  20. July 31, 2018

    The winds of change are blowing, your words mean nothing :-D :-D

  21. Good News
    July 31, 2018

    UWP, UNITED WORTHLESS PARASITES. I don’t blame them for withdrawing, because they have absolutely nothing to contribute. If you can’t account for your success means you are are Paracite like the senators from St. Joe, Salisbury and absentee Grand Fond. The Grand Master of Laziness % himself.

    • Truth
      August 1, 2018

      good news, your statement shows that ,you are a beggar

  22. Hmph
    July 31, 2018

    Nonsense you talking. Who presented the budget? Where is he? Did he convey his dxcuses to the parliament? If so, did the speaker present it? Was the pm absence an accident? The leadr of the opposition role is not for those who voted him. Its for all Dominicans!!!!

  23. Iamanidiot
    July 31, 2018

    Did you blast the prime minister for not being there?

    • SD
      August 1, 2018

      The PM is not required to be present at a debate on a budget he’s just presented.
      You guys should really watch and follow politics a bit more. Especially global politics.

  24. Dowad
    July 31, 2018

    Livi Peter what Dominicans are genuinely concerned about now are two things:
    1. This government is highly corrupt
    2 The grossly incompetence of this government
    So all we are asking is to clear the way for fresh minds to move this country forward. You guys have done more harm to this country than all the hurricanes combined.
    What a bunch of waste.

  25. %
    July 31, 2018

    I fully support the team of PATRIOTS for walking out of the house.The house of Assembly is bring used and abused by Skerrit and his MISLEADERS ably support by the speaker as a mockery..On the question of salary Levi Peters need to tell the nation what is he being paid for?.Is he a politician or a public servant? Why didn’t he consider withdrawing the salary paid to Skerrit.After all this man is never present to listen to patriot Linyon’s rebuttal. This Levi guy is making himself a pappyshow whenever he speaks,because he seem to lack the capacity to think…Weak leaders like Skerrit cannot sit in the house and be unmasked by the UWP team of PATRIOTS.He is a weakling who cannot take criticism, and he is grossly disrespectful of the house.
    Where The Wicked Rule The People Mourn
    This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party!!!

  26. JAH KAL
    July 31, 2018

    Peters u are a puppet go and tell the people in portsmouth about Ross university, get some work to do .

  27. LifeandDeath
    July 31, 2018

    Levi Peter…lol…you guys I tell ya!!..just keep dumping sh@# on the opposition. Karma disapppoints sometimes so It’s your time now to shine..
    Where have you been when the Opposition is spat upon and mocked and disrespected? the same ppl you say are elected to serve the people’s interest. After DLP I doubt there will be any good use for anymore clowns in Dominica’s political arena. shame!!

  28. July 31, 2018

    Good Day D N O.

  29. Joseph John
    July 31, 2018

    Boycott and quit is the name of their game. It is just a publicity stunt of propaganda value to get attention. The PM was attending a meeting out of state according to a report by D N O. Is this action by the Parliament opposition coincident: Q95 carried a presentation by a white American calling for aggressive behavior for Dominicans to confront Dominicans. The Secretary General of CSA asking for extra pay for people who were paid their salary for staying home re Maria, nurses want a walk out, they also want police negative behavior for police station unrepaired roofs, the leader of the opposition giving an vail threat if the Marigot Hospital is not built. What is all this building up to. Mr AG keep your eyes open for unlawful behavior before the Terrorist Act is passed

    • LifeandDeath
      August 1, 2018

      it’s difficult to decide whether you’re a coward or a fool

      • Joseph John
        August 1, 2018

        I cannot be a fool because I graduated from high school at the top of my class, and from college. I did not eat my school fees or get expelled for fighting IN SCHOOL. I cannot be a coward because I am writing under my real name.

  30. Me
    July 31, 2018

    They go all u doh want them dere. They stay out all vex. can you all just make yp your minds. The children, you g people and all those who did not drink the red juice are looking on. Please make up your minds, do you want the opposition in the house or not? as awi say a Wesley, every dag ha e satiday. Mr. ag and company your day will come. Dominicans will one day arise from their slumber; then…

  31. Ibo France
    July 31, 2018

    These guys are so disingenuous. There is no consultations with the opposition members before the budget is presented in parliament by the PM. The AG’s words are so insincere and asinine that they are just chucklesome. The withdrawal of the opposition MPs means that Mr. Skerrit and his moronic surrogates don’t have a punching bag to beat up on for the full duration of the sitting.

    • SD
      August 1, 2018

      Not sure you understand how this politicking works. The Government of any country sets the budget of the day without requiring to consult with any opposition. It’s the Government’s vision not the opposition’s.

      • Ibo France
        August 1, 2018

        SD, you don’t have a clue about good and inclusive governance. A government does not have a monopoly on good ideas. An inclusive government gets ideas from the opposition, business sector, civil institutions, youth groups, etcetera, by direct consultations. They put the best ideas gathered, along with theirs, in the budget. Two heads are always better than one. In this case, many brains are better than one brain. Wise up and stop thinking like a moron.

  32. July 31, 2018

    Because they are tired of being disrespected by the speaker of the house and skerro?s goon squad.

  33. Real!!!!
    July 31, 2018

    AG….You are an absolute waste of human flesh.

  34. Who Levi think he is?
    July 31, 2018

    The holder of that office of AG is the most DUMB person in Dominica’s history to be occupying that position.

    His utterances are always on some kind of punitive action. What Sanction Levi? The opposition parliamentarians are in the House, not because of you, but because of those people in the communities, who voted them, to represent their interests in Parliament and out of Parliament. `

    The opposition members will not be dictated to, by no less an AG, who does not hold a legal certificate from Law School in Trinidad. Your arrogance will continue to stress you out.

    Oh yes, you feel threatened because the Opposition can pinpoint those Million dollar mistakes, Mistakes??? and inform the world of the corruption of the DLP Cabal.

    No political will to conduct any ELECTORAL REFORM. In expectation of the people expressing their outrage, ANTI-TERRORIST ACT in their tail, to harass, arrest, lock up any who oppose those DICTATORIAL trends. Levi Peter Tanto, Tanto!!!

    • UKDominican
      August 1, 2018

      Who Levi think he is? This is a very valid question. Since being deregistered as a barrister in the U.K. in 2006, he can no longer practise here as such. He can hardly be said to be impartial as he is beholden to the Prime Minister for his position, and therefore his living. I do not know him to be individually wealthy- or perhaps fearless enough to be able to express his opinion in public without risking his livelihood. It is sad to see this former member of our police force using the cover of the House for besmirching an elected member, especially when he has not been chosen to represent any constituent himself.

  35. Looking
    July 31, 2018

    To be quite honest, parliament for the government ministers is just an opportunity to pounce on the opposition with a referee very biased. Ultimately it sounds like one of the political rallies or meetings. No class; Nothing to learn.

  36. Floridian Diaspora
    July 31, 2018

    Why don’t this called Levi Peter get a hold on things? The opposition’s withdrawal is a reaction not an action. It was a reaction to Skerrit’s unexplained absence from Parliament for the Budget Response of the leader of the opposition. Why don’t you look at who started the problem (who is yours truly his majesty Skeritt) and consider whether there is an appropriate sanction for such disrespectful behavior because it is behavior which is inappropriate and certainly unjustified in the circumstances? So we paying Skeritt to talk rubbish and and when is Linton turn and he come up with a masterpiece speech Dr Punjab just disappear. Then them sarckway sor sot laborats just want to sit back and say amen; so let it be. This was in my honest opinion an excellent move by the opposition. These laborats wanna play chess? Checkmate!!!! UWP got these fools cornered

  37. marie-claire R Skerrit
    July 31, 2018

    Listen to that. The pot calling the kettle black. SMH. Buts its ok for unexplained absence from Parliament for the Budget Response of the Leader of the Opposition. Levi Peter go and seat in a corner some where until your time is up. Bye

  38. Gigs
    July 31, 2018

    Thats a good idea , no work no pay mr lingting

  39. mine
    July 31, 2018

    They should not get pay.

  40. Child of Itassi
    July 31, 2018

    Like the pig Squealer in Animal Farm, AG Peter uses rhetoric and language to twist the truth to gain and maintain social and political control.

    You are correct AG Peter, I think everyone who was absent, including Dr. Punjab should have their salaries withdrawn.

  41. Tom Brown
    July 31, 2018

    I opinion if they cannot seat in the house to represent the people who voted for them, they should not get paid period. I have to work in order to get a salary and those no good for nothing just getting payment for what. Something need to be done about this. It is time and the time is now to set example. Medical certificate or some good enough reason.

    Please please do something, pass some law

    • us
      August 2, 2018

      They don’t seat in the house, rather they SIT in the house. I thank you.

  42. Turtle Dove
    July 31, 2018

    And they’re the ones who want to lead us

  43. AA
    July 31, 2018

    That idiot need to start working for the state rather than working for the labour party, he should be providing guidance and be working for the people of Dominica, but instead he is working for Rosevelt Skeritt and the labour party your damn idiot

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