Collaboration with UWP off the books for DFP

 

Members of the DFP held a press conference on Tuesday

Leader of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Kent Vital, is standing firm in a decision not to enter into a coalition with the United Workers Party (UWP) to contest elections for the sake of holding onto the “brand” that the DFP has created for itself.

Speaking at a press conference held Tuesday, August 29th, 2017 at the Garraway hotel, he gave the guarantee that there are no such plans.

“On collaboration, in terms of coming with a joint platform to contest an election, we have no such plans, I can guarantee the public that we have no such plans. Why do we have no such plan? We have great messages that we want to bring to the people. We want to ensure that those messages get to the people,” he said

Vital added that the party has been pursuing an “approach” that Dominicans “seem to like and encourage” and the party wants to protect that.

“We have been attracting messengers and we will continue to attract messengers that people can listen to and respond to, and we want to be in a position to continue to do that,” he said.

He made it known that the brand and approach of the DFP will not be surrendered as he believes that Dominica can benefit from the ideas that the Freedom Party is cooking up, and at the same time, is encouraging like-minded individuals to get on board if they have any progressive ideas for the country.

“That is why I said that we will not surrender our brand, we will not surrender our approach because we actually think that it is good for Dominica…so all those who think that they have an approach or a brand to present, that is great, let’s do that, and as a people, that’s what democracy should be for us,” Vital stated.

Vital, strong in his belief, said that the party wants to be in control of its approaches and has every intention of bringing them, and good messengers also, to the people of Dominica and has completely crossed off the idea of surrendering that which they have collectively built as a party.

“So let me make it very, very, very, very, clear, at this point, we are not surrendering that. Obviously there will be national issues that we all must be concerned about…there will be common issues like that when various political parties have the same view, and there is nothing wrong with that,” he remarked.

 

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46 Comments

  1. little yout
    August 31, 2017

    The freedom can only win a seat if they collaborate with uwp.

  2. L power
    August 31, 2017

    Good, that’s what we want. So uwp can never win.

  3. Affa
    August 31, 2017

    Crispin advised accordingly if any of you wants to beat DLP. So see you both in 2024. I’m out.

  4. Point of Order
    August 31, 2017

    I agree with Mr. Vital. In creating a new brand for the DFP, the party must chart its own well defined course and policy. Create clear blue water between the DFP and the other parties.

    State your objectives clearly. This is a new beginning. We are not going to link up with the UWP just to get in power. What was done with the DLP compromised our party objectives and ideals and will not be repeated. Make that clear.

    Make a definite mark of difference! You will then draw in your own loyal DFP silent majority back to the fold as well as the disillusioned youth. And you will draw in the dithering Labourites who do not really like what is going on. You will attract UWP sympathisers who are uncomfortable with their pompous, scatter brained leadership. It will be hard work but go for it ! It happened in the 1970s when the DFP was on its knees and it bore success in the 1980s and it can happen again.

    • August 31, 2017

      Don’t hold you breath because we the supporter of UWP will not be helping to prop up the DLP Government of party, and to believe that DFP can run on the coat tail of Miss, Charles will not work either. Those that will be voting next election were not around during her era we are in 2017 and 1970 is long gone we talking about 47 years now.

  5. theLateBath
    August 31, 2017

    No do not put yourself with that failing party. Do not join forces nor accept their drop outs. We want fresh blood. My only concern is who will you choose to represent Roseau North? Very important constituency.

    • theLateBath
      September 1, 2017

      Dislike all all you want. Matters not to me.. :-D

  6. Da
    August 31, 2017

    Mr. Vital presentation is 90% of the job.
    By the way I support the Freedom Party.

  7. viewsexpressed
    August 31, 2017

    We must continue to promote the tone that “Dominica comes first…?” Has this been thrown out of the window? If we wish to save Dominica, we need to get rid of Skerrit and his rotten, corrupt government. I am hoping with so may parties this does not create confusion in the minds of the electorate.
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go

    • Shameless
      August 31, 2017

      I could not have said it any better! As a former DFP supporter (now independent) I have three simple advise for Vital;
      1. Clean up your appearance to match the status you are trying to reach (NO GANGSTA Appearance please)
      2. STOP your arrogance because you sound like a selfish person and not putting country first
      3. No excuses, you need to immediately start talking collaboration with UWP to kick the corruption laced cabal led by the Punjabi Doc out of office. #Dominicafirst!!
      4. Quit living in a bygone era like someone else said previously said. The days of Mamo are over bro. There may be some feeling of nostalgia hence the reason for trying to hold on to the past but its a new generation.

      Assertive like Mama Eugenia! :twisted: :twisted:

  8. mine
    August 31, 2017

    sorry to say DFP died with Ms. Charles.

  9. August 31, 2017

    That is the best thing you can do distance your self from UWP fight your battle alone

  10. FORKIT
    August 31, 2017

    allu sell my party I cant trust allu again

  11. Resident
    August 31, 2017

    Mamo died with her party. She is buried in a family plot at the Pointe Mitchel Cemetary with her party, the DFP. I think it would be worth the time and energy of all concerned if they could attempt at rebranding the political outfit they call DFP with a new name. they can maintain the principles of the mamo DFP but a new name such as “New Freedom Party”, “People’s Freedom Party” etc could serve to assist in the effort at establishing a creditable political organization in Dominica.

  12. NUWP
    August 31, 2017

    This is MAMO philosophy. Bosso almost sold the the party to UWP shame on bosso.

    Atlist u brought back some sanity to the party my family supported through out.

    But because bosso is still party of the executive I am not comfortable in coming back to freedom.

    As a matter of fact I am very happy with Dominica leadership still for now. So let’s see how it plays out.

    But UWP is TOTALLY OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR ME. ESPECIALLY UNDER THAT MAN.
    Dis man brought shame & disgrace to our politics. I mean Edison make Gonzalez mislead him as he said “I was mislead” but Lennox hmm dis man omg. This man brought shame and embarrassment to every aspect of Dominica and it’s politics.
    So Kent ?up to u for brining some substance back to the DFP. Bcus I know u hurt but Wat Michael and bosso dem did to the party. MAMO WAS TURNING IN HER GRAVE TO SEE HER PARTY IN UWP CAMP. Though PM is unmovable bcus Dominicans really love him but Kent u can be leader of opposition. More sense

  13. Truth Be Told
    August 31, 2017

    Dominica first and political parties after!

  14. Moon Ovant
    August 31, 2017

    The strength that the Freedom Party can campaign on is their ability to develop a state of independence in the minds of the people and the economy overall. This independence has been eroded by the present by the present administration that has everyone begging today.

  15. Concerned Dominican
    August 31, 2017

    Come on we have been down that road before, you are not saying anything new. I absolutely do not believe anything you are saying right not because Miss Charles killed the freedom party and for them to make a come back they need the uwp because DFP by itself cannot win. So stop the dishonesty

  16. RasB
    August 31, 2017

    correction: Reintegrate, not Reunificate

  17. RasB
    August 31, 2017

    Mr Vital, I am disappointed that within your first 100 days in office you see it necessary to distance yourself from possibly working with the opposition. It seems foolhardy. I would suggest that if the DFP is to survive it should focus on building bridges as opposed to burning them.

    Dominica is much too small and its population too sparse for you as political leader of a party to encourage further segregation. I believe that irrespective of your party, your focus should be to build Dominica. We must understand that we, in an effort to take our country forward, we must build bridges, not walls; because as the late calypsonian ‘The Mighty Arrow’, told us in his classic ‘ARISE’, when one (walls) divide us, the other (bridges) unite us all. So citizens let’s unite and stand up for our rights, let us ‘reunificate’ and correct our mistakes.

    • freedom
      August 31, 2017

      the DFP is not burning any bridges. We as a party are clearly stating that we rather do the work that needs to be done ourselves so that the people will see that we are ready to work for them. Also the views and message of the DFP are very different from that of the UWP and therefore a collaboration would not be very fruitful.

      We as a party are also saying that on national matters where it makes sense that all parties should have the same view and work together then we will.

      Work together with us the DFP to bring Dominica back.

      • RasB
        August 31, 2017

        Possibly, a more sensible approach would be a more inclusive one. A statement to the effect that we stand by the principles of the Freedom party which were championed by the late Dame Mary Eugenia Charles but we are a realistic party whose primary focus is the building and development of our Dominican people. In that regard therefore, we will work with any person or group of persons who share our primary focus of developing the Dominican Man, Woman and Child.

        It seems to me that when you explicitly exclude working with the opposition, you are either foolish, politically immature or setting up yourself to feast on humble pie and to reduce yourself to be a mere laughing stock.

  18. WeNiceMan
    August 30, 2017

    “We will not surrender our BRAND.” SMH! Dude the only brand he DFP ever had was Eugenia Charles. The Fredom Party never “EXISTED” without Eugenia Charles. So what brand are you talking about? If anything you need to establish a brand. A post Eugenia brand which obviously the party has STRUGGLED to do. We all know that the Dame ensured that the party did not survive without by her actions or inactions…punishment for rejecting her choice of successor, Alleyne Carbon. So don’t even try hanging on to her coat tail.

    • theLateBath
      August 31, 2017

      What is to come. the future of the party. that is what he is talking about. He is speaking about not compramising the values of the DFP by joining forces with people who have alternative agendas in an attempt to oust a sitting government. a brand refers to the image, how people view you. When DFP and DLp joined forces to oust UWP, the values of the DFP were lost as DLP took over and Freedom was left by the wayside. Note that if NOT for freedom, the PM we have in power today would never be there. that is an undisputed fact. IF not for freedom, roosie douglas’ party would have never been in power.

    • freedom
      August 31, 2017

      we the DFP encourage you to let go of the past. we are not saying that we as a party have not made mistakes or went the wrong way but we encourage to look toward the future. we are bringing a message of hope and ask that you keep an open ear to what we are offering. if at any point you see us going astray then we encourage you to call us out.

  19. August 30, 2017

    Sir , once you are saying definitely no to a coalition in such an out right manner THEN THIS GOES TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE NOT YET READY. With all your talk you may be a spoiler in secret. you are not a politician, leave politics alone.

  20. indira Ghandi
    August 30, 2017

    Boy,you all need to come together.
    join forces

    • theLateBath
      August 31, 2017

      DFP should never put itself with the UWP jokers.

  21. UDOHREADYET
    August 30, 2017

    If the party color is green then they should be the green party.
    Green energy, green housing solutions, solar, wind and geothermal power, electric vehicles, the party of the environment, the party of green products (Hempcrete and products of the like), the party of Naturopathic medicines… the nature Island Political party. The benefits are not just healthy and a way of the future they are also economically viable and sustainable, which reduces dependency.

    • A. George
      August 31, 2017

      now u talking branding :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

  22. UDOHREADYET
    August 30, 2017

    Bravo… its important to have an intelligent forward thinking opposition who’s focus is on the people.
    Unlike other opposition parties who think they can defame their own country, its people and government as a means into power.

    • August 31, 2017

      And those are the ugly sentiments coming from some of the people of Dominicans they behavior like fowls eat and then wipe their mouth, by the way the Opposition did not wash any dirty lien in public because when ask a question is better to tell the truth than to lie because it will always come back to bite you in the bot, and if you honestly believe what your Government is doing to the people and you support it it’s mind boggling , so instead of blaming why don’t you suggest to your DLPadministration to take responsible for there own action and stop the nonsense.
      The US House of representatives and the Senators came together to show Trump that he cannot do as he wants because he is the President and for that they limited his powers and they did that in accordance with the Constitution of the USA, . Can you say the say for the PM and Dominica ! I wish the DFP all the best.

  23. Danziger
    August 30, 2017

    Hmmm pa konnay mwen avec se pawol la SA.

  24. KID ON THE BLOCK
    August 30, 2017

    DNO, I am almost certain, If it was, “Skerrit must go now”, that comment would have been moderated long ago.

  25. Ibo France
    August 30, 2017

    Surrendering what brand? One is getting generalities and no specificity. Mr. Vital proffered in that same press conference that the DFP is holding on to the coattail of Eugenia Charles (paraphrasing). The gentle lady is of a long bygone era. What is presently needed are men and women with fresh, creative and innovative ideas who are people oriented. Too many of today’s politicians are too disingenuous. They see government as the ideal avenue to go from rags to riches in a relatively short tome. We have to be overly cautious about the true intentions of politicians. History has shown that self-aggrandizement is their true intention.

  26. Prampram
    August 30, 2017

    Will be putting my ex next to the helping hand! Green is my fave colour anyway :lol:
    See my boy Castro. Brains on brains!

  27. Waiting on God
    August 30, 2017

    I am atrue freedomiteis and I WILL NOT FOLLOW all u. Answer me why did freedomities collorabrated with DLP to vote UWP out of office at the time when the country was doing well? Look at the state of the country now and all talking are about NO COLLaboration You all are SERIOUS?

  28. %
    August 30, 2017

    Mr Vital try not to chew too more than you can swallow.There must be ways in which the two opposition parties can talk and cooperate and/compromise when general election is reaching a climax.You all on both sides of the opposition are still unpolluted and uncorrupted.None of you have held political office..So be careful of the emphatic statements that you make.Remember the MALIGNANT TUMOUR AND CANCER is the Skerrit led DLP and his 17 misleaders NOT the UWP.I am hoping you spoke of election reform,and you are ready to champion it too.If you didnt! OMG!YOU MISSED OUT!!!
    SKERRIT MUST GO
    SKERRIT MUST GO
    SKERRIT MUST GO NOW

  29. Lol
    August 30, 2017

    but who want to associate them self with Lennox Linton?

  30. J.John Charles
    August 30, 2017

    I am giving the DFP the gold, the silver and br.Let everyone stands on it’s own two feet.When the UWP was formed it was not to collaborate with DLP,we all know to reign,the cross must come before the crown.

  31. marie-claire R Skerrit
    August 30, 2017

    :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  32. KiD ON THE BLOCK
    August 30, 2017

    Wow… Those words mean a lot. UWP should read through the lines. DFP is distancing itself. UWP GO HOME. Useless Wicked People!

  33. Non partisan
    August 30, 2017

    I agree with Mr. Vital about not collaborating with the UWP because we already collaborated with our number one enemy, the DLP, and Roosevelt Skerrit and the president are both well known Freedomites,and in essence freedom party / labor is in power.. no wonder i hearing is Skerrit that paid for the last DFP conversation. As for me I last voted since 2000 because I refused to vote DLP and hated uwp. Come next election I voting uwp

    • theLateBath
      August 31, 2017

      i endordse this comment 100%. It has happened before and we got the brown end of the stick. do not collaborate with them again. work it by yourself. do not put yourself in the trouble uwp is already in. you have a fresh clean state. work with that.

  34. August 30, 2017

    Mayhem and factional politics, is this the DFP’ policy? the continuing divide, it seems, is a very, very zealous track to run on. Neither the DFP or UWP are in a position to remove the entrenched DLP governing structure, POWER GIVES UP NOTHING WITHOUT A FIGHT, your party will never win alone, UNITY, IS STRENGTH. Bob D.

  35. Shameless
    August 30, 2017

    Mr. Vital I am a “Freedomite” who left the party after itlost its way. It’s good to see that you are somewhat back in business but as a first step I am going to tell you point blank that arrogance will get you no where . Regardless of your plans, it is IMPOSSIBLE for Freedom to win the next general election . The party will not be ready. The first order of business is to get rid of the Punjabi Doc and his cabal and unless you form some kind of Allliance / coalition at the appropriate time with the UWP the DLP will remain in power. So my friend enough of the arrogance and face reality. Avoid negativity that will disrupt the unity needed to daycarlay DLP. Have your plans but watch your mouth and put country before party.

    You start wrong so for now I have no plans of voting freedom nor DLP. Country first for me…..DLP must go by any means necessary.

    Assertive like Mama Eugenia! :twisted: :twisted:

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