(DNO) The elected members for the Marigot and Salisbury constituencies have responded to calls from Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan for the electorate to boycott by-elections in these constituencies.
- John (L) and James (R)
Former Prime Minister and Marigot MP Edison James’ seat is up for grabs after it was made vacant following his decision to miss three consecutive parliaments.
But James, in his response to the government’s main legal advisor, said: “Tony Astaphan should not be taken seriously”.
“My constituency has heard the comments and it has galvanized the people of Marigot with determination that will ensure that no other candidate will replace me. I wish he would go on a campaign to repeat what he said. They know that anything they hear from Tony, they should do the exact opposite,” he said.
Meantime, Hector John for Salisbury said Astaphan has no respect for the people of Dominica.
“It shows that Tony does not care about the people of Dominica and only about himself. He should be asking the constituency to exercise their democratic right instead of staying away from the by-elections,” he said.
John said the people of his constituency are very satisfied with the stance that the UWP has taken.
Michael Douglas was the Sole oppostion at one time in the House and he has left behind a Legacy. This kid John, is innocent. He has been mis guided. Never supported any Political party during this past election, but was happy that Young men and women were involved in the process, only to be come to reality now that one of these young men was Eddison’s Tool. John this is WEAKNESS, a Leader should never display such weakness.
Mr John,
I forgot to mention that you owed it to our former MP’s , Clarence Louis, Bryson Louis, Denison John, James Royer and Earl Williams to take up the mantle of representation and take Salisbury where they could not have or where they failed, as in the case of the latter. I wonder how you intend to explian this to your kids when you eventually have yours. Only an ignoramus will support your confusing actions, and I am not one. I am sooooooooo disappointed in you my friend, VERY disappointed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am trying to understand this situation because I will need to assist my child with her home work on the Constitution, the UWP Boycott, the reasons, the vacant seats and the soon to come bi-elections. I am a little confused so I need some answers please.Can someone direct Mr John to my comment and questions please? My comments and questions are as follows:
(1) UWP participated in a General Election even when they were convinced that the process would NOT be free and fair. My question is; What would be the UWP’s decision if somehow the party had won eleven seats? Why participate in a process you claim would be contaminated and then after losing you chose to boycott the House where you are expected to represent the people? I am confused.
(2) You claim that you are fighting for our democracy and you participate in a so called People’s Parliament. My question is, dont you think that it is an insult to the people and the Constitution to be a party in an initative that contradicts the Parliament established by the Constitution? Do you have to disrespect the Constitution to fight for democracy? I am confused.
(3) You decded NOT to attend Parliament to Boycott Parliament, and then you wrote to the Speaker of the House to inform her, by AQUAINTING HER, of your decision NOT to attend Parliament. You did not seek her leave and so you deliberately missed three seatings of the House in the same session, so section 15(2) applied to you. My question is, having decided NOT to attend Parliament why is there so muchfuss and fight now that you have vacated your seat?
(4) You claim that Elections in Decembwer was not Free and Fair and as a result of your actions there will be bi-elections in Salisbury. I understand that you will contest the seat again. My question is, In the event that none of the issues that your party raised are not addressed, then it would mean that the bi elections would not be free and fair, why then would you participate in another Election process that, according to you, will not be free and fair? I am confused.
(5) You claim that the Speaker of the House did not follow certain procedures in declaring your seat vacant but you have failed to outline those procedures and where they can be found. You seem to know all other procedures except the one that your party member followed so as to safe guard his seat. My question is, What reasono did Mr Prevost had for eventually attending Parliament and taking his Oath and how does that fit into your arguement and the reasons for your boycott?
Sir, I am sorry, but you have mis calculated and you have been misguided by an aging Politician found guilty for the Bugging allegations. Sir, you have shown disrespect to the Salisbury people and you seem to allow your arrogance, just like the MP before you, to get to your head. The people did not vote for you to represent them ONLY if your party won the elections so you had to attend Parliament, where you would have the forum to represent your case, if you really had one!? Instead you followed blindly on a Political Kamikaze Mission, where you ended your Politicial Career even before it started.
You say to us that we should not take Tony Astaphans seriously. We did not vote for Tony Astaphans and we the people of Salisury have realised that we sent another juvenile to Parliament and we contiue to be embarassed by the actions and decisions of these juveniles. We will use the Bi Election to vote for a mature individual committed to us the people whether that person is on the winning team or in Opposition.
I hear of Section 40 of the Constituion and Rules of the House etc. and I am no Lawyer but thats how I understand what I read and the process.
Once Parliament is dissolved all seats in the House are vacant. A General Elections is called to select MP to fill those vacancies. Once the votes are counted and recounted the winners are automatically MP’s and the results are sent to the President by the Chief Elections Officer. If that was not the case then how doyou explain that the SPEAKER is appointed by the ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE? It means that once you win your seat you are a Member of the House sir.
Then the next step is for all members to take the Oath of Allegiance and that is done before the Speaker of the House. That office, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, is responsible for the business of thre House, thus all rules are to be applied by that individual.
Rule 15(2) states if you miss three consequetive seatings of the same session you SHALL VACATE YOUR SEAT. It soes not say or mean you Hector John shall leave if you choose to or when ytou decide to like you friend Mr James suggested in his letter. It means you have fired your self, you have terminated your membershipin the House.
Section 40 of the Constitution allows you the avenue to seek redress if you are of the view that Section 15 (2) did not apply to you, and the Court has a jurisdiction (meaning: AN AUTHORITY TO INTEPRET AND APPLY THE LAW) So the Constitution in protecting your rights and that of the people who voted for you, created that avenue that you can exploit in fighting the decision of the SPEAKER of the House of Assembly, who did not declare your seat vacant, that was done by you when you failed to adgere to Section 15 (2) of the Standing Orders of the House of Assembly.
Mr John, do not insult our intelligence and please do not speak on behalf of the Salisbury Constituency as you as MP is no more. You have failed to accept the task of representing us so therefore you are no longer a person of interest in Salisbury. We deserve better, sir, much better and you have also shown your true calibre, that of a coward. Mike Douglass stood up in Parliament ALONE and spoke on behalf of the people and you ran from that opportunity to grow and for that sir, you will NEVER be elected into Parliament again. You are certainly invited to Parliament as a spectator to listedn to the new MP of Salisbury come the Bi-Election.
I wish you well in your future endeavours.
mr john i am so disappointed in you i think the people of salisbury elected you to go to the house and represent them instead you their runing around eddison and the bunch of wayout and you left your people to suffer.well waiting for that byelectoin i cant tell u now family has four head count and they are all out OUT OUT OUT and this time is for GOOD GOOD.LABOUR POWERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
@ Mc. Coy Tyner. The issue of Electoral Reform causes much stress to you and your ilk. Stress could cause death. You are stressing yourself out in defense of whom or what? Your arguments against the need for election reform are nonsensical, devoid of any 21st. century thought, typical of persons who behave like the fish called SOL, which sees on only one side. One finds persons like you in every society. You need serious counseling Try to do more reading In fact, even though you read objective, non-biased arguments for Electoral Reform your comprehension is so poor that you always find difficulties with the written word.
Were you thinking at all before writing? You said having ID cards is rubbish? You must be living in the 18th. century. No need to be able to properly identify voters in this day and age? No need to clean up a voters list which is bloated with dead peoples’ names. No need for equal access to the National Radio Station? Come on my friend, are you Dominican? Do you love that Nature Isle? Your comments tell me otherwise. Do you at all follow regional and international news? The call all over the world is for electoral reform so that people could enjoy free and fair elections and strengthen democracy. It is the absence of those safeguards that could cause dictatorship, increase corruption, retard a country’s economic growth and the list goes on. You mention and seem to be aware that absolute power corrupts absolutely, but your problem is that you do not wish to identify correctly who is engaged in actions to maintain that absolute power. Many irregularities took place like in the Antigua elections. Should nothing be put in place to stamp out those irregularities? Just continue with business as usual? Shame on you.
Edison and Timothy were co-founder of the Workers Party when Edison stood down as leader of his Party the obvious heir to replace him should have been Timothy Julius, but guess what happened,instead Edison stabbed Tim in the back and deceided to go for Earl Williams as his successor, the result is now Earl is allegged to have mishandled his clients money and breached the solicitors code.Earl is a now fugitive hiding in New York hoping in a fews years Dominicians will forget his misdeameanor (theft) why have there been no serious attempt to extradite Earl for trail for embezzlement this highlights the character of Edison to allow this fraudster to climb to the pinnacle of the political world while defrauding his clients Edison is a power crazed robot who clearly doesn’t understand the concept of democracy, just how did this shameless person ever rise so far, it’s beggars belief.
PS is it 2000 when he got the election result he had so craved for there were no talk of boycotting of parliament!
That is not true, how u can say Eddison decided to choose Earl instead of Timothy when they had a poll, dumb fool
Why do you want to prevent Dominican Citizens who may be living abroad from voting? If one is a Dominican Citizen, the constitution allows him/her a vote. To try and purge people from the list is an attempt to try and limit voters. It is my right as a Dominican Citizen no matter where I live, on election day I can step in and vote in my precinct.
In countries like US, England, a citizen can vote without setting foot in the country where the elections are being held, so as long as that person remains a citizen and was registered to vote.
As with the Voter ID cards…it is not free. Who wants to pay the cost? Will you want more taxes to cover it. There are approx 70k people on island. 35k are unable to vote…..the $35k will cost money to get the ID cards. – This ID card is just rubbish and attempt to silence those who’d vote against UWP.
It seems that the UWP lost the election and feels that people who live outside of Dominica caused them to lose this election. How many Dominicans who are living abroad came to vote, 20,000? They wish…..Are all Dominicans abroad DLP supporters? Nope!
It is simple to see, that this is a ploy to take away from the real issue. The real issue is that these are a financially and intellectually challenged group of politicians. They are broke, dead broke (not personally) but politically. There is no one who will give them money to run an election. They have Q95 but not all Dominicans listen to that station. There is no Chavez, no China to pass a couple bucks their way. They have no new idea. Don’t talk about international Airport…we are still repaying the bonds from that since 2000….and at the default rate.
They have no new ideas except to oppose the ones being offered by DLP.
We are quick to run off visitors/investors/foreigners because we are self reliant and have a bucket of cash.
If I am to give you a grant or a loan to build some project and want to ensure it is done
1. On Time
2. On or under Budget
What should I do? I should have someone I trust manage or run it. I also want to develop my people too, and I should hire firms that I trust to complete that task.
In the end, you are getting what you want, or asked for. If you really felt that you could do without it you’d not be here asking me.
We are too small to be self reliant. Until Oil is discovered off shore or in the mountains, we will sing for our supper. Banana is dead or almost so…..it is not coming back.
Tourism is slowly coming (With better roads mind you) and we will get there.
Time to stop this political Monkey Hill Business
Edison Should step down/retire.
Nominate someone to carry the mantle (maybe his son) and allow the party to replenish and choose new members/leaders
By continuing this idiotic pattern, it allows DLP to grow stronger and UWP becomes more like sideshow Bob.
We need a strong opposition our democracy depends on it.
History repeats itself, often with different players….Just look at what Mamo did to Freedom…they have not recovered yet.
It “PISS’S ME OFF” whenever Tony Astaphans name comes up. Who is this guy anyway? What contribution has he made to Dominica… “Dividing the people?” Why don’t he make some meaning contribution to the poor people in Dominica instead of ripping the little they have…. Like some charitable contribution. Some of us would like to see that.
ELECTORAL REFORM NOW. The whole world is asking for that. A clean voters’ list with no dead persons name on it. That could easily be done. A population of 69000 with a voters’ list of 60000? ID cards to be able to properly identify voters. Equal access to the National Radio station so that views from all political parties would be heard. Regard for the laws, which clearly stipulates that inducing someone to vote through bribery is against the law. The issue of campaign finance is also very crucial. Dominicans need to know where monies for election campaigns are coming from. Those who give plenty money for parties’ campaigns would always be looking for their PAY BACK, while poor people suffer and poverty increases, no jobs, or lose of jobs for the ordinary supporter, but huge returns and favours for the upper, influential class with the money. Are those ideas regarding ELECTORAL REFORM devilish or out of this world? Why do people feel uncomfortable once the issue of ELECTORAL REFORM is mentioned. It is a fact that stumbling blocks are being put in the way for implementing those changes. Do you agree?
Some pertinent QUESTIONS and COMMENTS to think about.
Were there irregularities in the Antigua Elections of March 2009? Did the Labour Party of Antigua argue that the elections were not free and fair? Didn’t they file petitions in court? Did the court agree? in whose favour? To all the labour party supporters, were you all not glad about the ruling? Then how could you dismiss the opposition in Dominica as fools if they did the same thing to challenge the election here in December filled with irregularities also?
You were glad when the ALP filed petitions in court but most astonishingly Labourites are growling at the same action taken in Dominica. The laws as it pertains to elections and electioneering were not respected. DBS radio shut its doors to the opposition. No equal access to the Nation’s radio station. Everyone agrees that the electoral list was bloated. Do You know what that means? Out of a population of 69000 in Dominica, a voters’ list has 67000 persons registered to vote? Do the maths you labourites. Could that be possible? How many youth and babies in Dominica who are not eligible to vote? 1000, 2000, 3000? What about dead persons name on a voters list to vote. You all still refuse to accept that something must have been wrong with those figures
What does the laws of Dominica instruct us about bribery? If someone overseas is induced with free plane tickets with the sole purpose of coming down to vote for DLP isn’t that action wrong and against the LAW? You all support your party having $22,000,000 for an election campaign? Where did all that money come from? How much dry cash and other material things were distributed to manipulate voters? Is bribery wrong or right? It seems that a few people must go on breaking the laws as they wish ,when they wish or how they wish? But as soon as the ordinary, poor persons do something wrong they receive the full brunt of the law and are punished, jailed or fined?
You all labourites, the PM nor the DLP have done nothing at all wrong or against the Laws of Dominica since coming to office? is that what you want to portray to Dominicans and the world? All of them are angles? All of them are innocent people unaware of what they are doing?
You are challenged to show other Dominicans or the World which section of the Constitution or the Standing Orders give the Speaker the right to declare seats vacant. If no section in either the Constitution or the Standing Orders gives the Speaker the right, where did she get that right to declare those seats vacant. Both Astaphans and the AG made unconvincing references to the Speaker making the declaration from the HOUSE. Where did the Speaker declare the seats vacant? Was it at the House of Assembly, Parliament? Or was it made at a press conference from her office? Labourites, should one class of people, a few people in authority blatantly disregard the LAWS or the CONSTITUTION of the land and no dog bark? How is it when your young son or friend or brother or sister or that poor person commit a wrong , steal, do drugs, or commit some petty crime they quickly, without question, brought before the courts, put in jail, just like that? Is that justice for all, regardless of class, colour, race or creed? Shouldn’t a crime be punishable regardless of who does it? According to your maxim, a crime is punishable depending on who does it? If is a person with plenty money or with influence, HIGH REPUTE, who does the crime, do not touch him?
The person who alerts the community or police about a theft or other crime done to him or her becomes the villain, the criminal, the thief. The ones who actually do wrong, lie, steal, engage in corrupt practices, induce others to do wrong, use public office to amass instant wealth, or disregard the LAW are the law-abiding citizens of our land because they have power, authority our big bucks?
Do you for a moment think of the state in which Dominica could become with those attitudes? Do you condone, agree to wrong things that your child or children do? Do you in front of them support or agree to immoral things that they do? If that is so Dominica come, Kwapo smoke our pipes. Forget it, our youth will never behave in a respectable or correct manner and obey the LAWS when they witness and hear what is going on. Is that what we want, building a nation of law breakers, persons who totally flaunt established laws? Such attitudes and thinking have devastated many nations and created dictatorship. Have you taken time to revisit history and learn from those historical events that have fueled bad governance, crimes and corruption?
Electoral Reform haunts those in authority. We are hearing about all kinds of reform. Local GOVT reform is being talked about recently, but the DLP, PM, Tony Astaphan, the Speaker, AG, Labourites are doing nothing to ensure that Dominica enjoys free and fair elections in the future. Could anything be wrong with the idea of putting things in place to strengthening our democracy? EQUAL ACCESS TO DBS, THE NATION STATION, ID CARDS, CLEANING THE VOTERS LIST, OBEY THE LAWS AND STOP THAT ILLEGAL BRIBERY. Dominicans must think of their children and children’s children to come. Such reforms if properly done would not and could not be in any one party’s favour. No one political party would benefit but the entire nation. ELECTORAL REFORM NOW. THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR. IT IS FOR ALL OF US. IT IS NOT ABOUT WHO YOU SUPPORT, BUT WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE COUNTRY. ALL over the world GOVTs and people are advocating for ELECTORAL REFORM. IN DOMINICA, The GOVT shows a stubborn reluctance to implement those changes that would certainly enhance our democratic way of life. Because five months after the elections, and after four hastily held meetings of Parliament, nothing has been said about Electoral reform, not even an intention to look at it. Don’t we want to make things better or should we be satisfied that everything is OK? So why did GOVT sanction and agree to LOCAL GOVT REFORM to make local Govt. operate more effectively and efficiently. But they do not want to press with ELECTORAL REFORM also to make things better? Do you all SMELL A RAT? SUSPICION FILLS THE AIR. Who is greedy for POWER? 18 seats not enough. Still jealous of the other persons 3. So things are done in Haste to capture the person’s 3.
Neither Parliament nor the Speaker could invoke parliament to declare seats vacant. What does that statement mean to you? Anything done otherwise is against the Constitution. ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY. Again Dominica is yet again witnessing a strange but creeping phenomena, which could spell disaster to our democracy. Does that One person, the Speaker, have more power than entire communities who elected the representatives of their choice? The persons who framed our constitution had much foresight and categorically said NO, the Speaker does not have that power according to the CONSTITUTION. Many of you simply refuse to admit facts, continuing the foolish attitude of supporting what is wrong because is my party that do it. IS SO DOMINICA COME? Life is getting harder for many of you, yet you support all sorts of illegalities not realizing you are making people like Tony Astaphan richer, while poverty is increasing for hundreds of thousands.
Did the UWP lose because of the absence of these reforms or because of their ineptitude and the morbid state of their finances (Not personal but Political)?
This Reform you ask for, who will pay for it? The people…do they want to?
You ask for free access to DBS, but is that the reason they lost, because they had no access to DBS?
Was it the same DBS that did this to DLP when they were opposing from 1995-2000?
Get out of politics and leave it to real politicians. Take your licks and re-group Garcon…Electoral reform lwts go!
Nigel;
Using profanity / Swear words in this forum is not the way to have a civil dialogue. It only reduces the quality and integrity and value of the discussion. Besides, there are minors following this discussion so I would strongly advice that we all try to find other word to express or distaste for other peoples behavior.
God Bless our beautiful Dominica and its people the world over!!!
well said!
Lady J I just had to respond to your comment. Please be clear when you say that you cannot overturn the decision of the Almighty God. Are you saying that this decision was made by the Lord Jesus Christ. Please my dear before you are dealt with by God please do not make such comments. God is an honest and open God and when things like that happen in DA due to decisions taken by earthly men and women, tell me when did God speak and say do it?
Are you sure my dear? Let me tell you be careful. Remember the bible says that for lack of knowledge people will perish. Do not be one of these people. Get to know God personally and listen to what he has to say and do not make such decisions based on what people do and say.
All with blessings and love
John, I’m sorry ,but I’m not voting for you again,. You wasted my vote, I wanted you to go to the house, not to follow Edison James and his nonsense.
What a joke UWP! What is really wrong with you Eddison James? What do you really want. One thing I know for sure you cannot overturn the decision of the Almighty God. Stop all those non-sense and help build the country for the benefit of all including the people of Marigot. What ever God decides must stand, fall in line and humble yourself.
I can predict what is going to happen. If you continue along that trend after a while your own people will not have confidence in you or the party and your party will end up at 0 like the freedom party. You should have learnt from the pre-election talk shows, it did not benefit your party in fact it disadvantaged your party, that is the same effect the people’s parliment is having. I am sure that voters turn out is going to decrease in both constituency and will loose some of the votes that you had received in December 2009. People are fed up with the talk and nonsense that is on going.
Dominicans continue to pray for your country.
The way the UWP has been conducting and portraying itself since the last general elections,to me, has reached a pathetic stage. From the onset, the UWP has claimed that the electoral process in Dominica is corrupt, the subsequent basis for boycotting parliament and also the pending lawsuit. Dominica is now at a croosroad where bi-elections are emminent in Marigot and Salisbury. These bi-elections have put the UWP in a very delicate situation; a situation from my perspective, it wishes it was not part of. Why should the UWP take part in the bi-elections? The bi-elections will take place under the same conditions of the electoral commission; there are no ID cards, no new voter list, etc. It will be the same conditions that the UWP used as their premise for the boycot and subsequent lawsuit. Participation in the bi-elections by the UWP will demonstrate hypocrisy on its part; a facade, which evidently cannot be seen by its supporters. I would like a rational response from anyone for the reason why UWP supporters in Marigot and Salisbury should be toyed with by the representatives of their party. Hector John is contracdicting himself by saying that the people of his constituency should exercise their democratic right to vote. Hector, these people were given their democratic right to vote in the general election. They voted for you hoping to get representation but you back pedalled. The people of Salisbury are now given a second chance to get representation by boycotting you or anyone from the UWP because a vote for you will be a waste of time. Voting for the UWP will be seen as a comical cycle which will cost the people of Dominica wated time and money. On a different note, the decision of Prevost to take his oath in parliament can influence the high court’s decision on June 18th. Prevost’s action demonstrares that finally the present government of Dominica is legitimate and worthy of recognition
Reply
B.S you do have very good questionthat is had the UwP won what would they have done under similar circumstances . Should we all agree that the politicians are all one track minded- that is power at any cost , the answer therefore is rather obvious. UWP would have gladly accepted the results. Let us not forget however that we requested an update of the voters list at least one year before the election and what happened? Tony explicitely told the PM that it was a bad idea to do so.
It is for this reason that I support the idea of not taking Tony seriously. The man is selfish and greedy. I respect everyone’s right to support their party of choice however we should not allow a deceitful character to manupilate our thoughts and decision. Tony should be made aware that we are no longer living in the 70’s.
how many haitians have recieved passports since The earth quake and are now registered voters in Marigot and Salsbury?
I more think its better we not take Mr James & Mr John seriously, you two have made a complete mockery of the Nation’s Parliament. Mr James its high time you be put to pasture, your time has long since passed. Mr John why are allowing Edison James to lead you down the wrong way, he has destroyed the UWP.
I knew all along that DOMINICANS were not listening all they saw were the election was won by ruling party and it didnt matter but I see that some folks are begining to understand the reason behind the boycott of the opposition party it’s all about the CONSTITUTION. I listened to the questions that were asked by DOMINICANS about the CONSTITUTION on saturday on ” Between you and me ” a talk show hosted by Mr.Lennox Linton I must say thank you Mr.Linton for giving full air time to the discussion and questions to the most important issue put to us DOMINICANS at home and in the Diaspora today.It was well covered but how many at home was listening I mean really listening that were moved enough to go out and get a copy to read for themselve it is what defind us as DOMINICAN and I am happy we are talking about it whenever we elect persons to office we want them to rule according to the CONSTITUTION and not to do as they well please because they can and if one dont like it say take it to COURT only in DOMINICA those nonsence will happen and we allow those individuals to get away with it, but whenever others decide to stand up and defind the LAW of the land they a branded as FOOLS and the reason for that is just ignorance
It is over time that we put a side party politic and study the most important rule of law that govern us and untill it is change it’s our CONSTITUTION and regardless who you are everyone must be guided by it and we have to repect it.
Other Countries and Islands in the region respect their CONSTITUTION we are the only nation that have that reckless attitude towards the law, this is larger than MR.James and Mr.John and the UWP but thanks to these two men and their constituency for standing up and fight for it and because of their effort we the people of DOMINICA are discussing the CONSTITUTION today, other wise we would continue to be blinded by the light and allow others to dictake to us.
DOMINICANS be proud of our CONSTITUTION and learn to respect it so help us GOD.
Dat boi from Bawi should never let Eddison and dem fool him. Eddison is a failure and he needs a band wagon.
Granted, there are many sordid and substantial points in the argument to boycott Parliament. No doubt, I am not privy to all the details and perhaps not in the best position to comment. But when you look at the big picture in the long range lens of history, I agree with Gaibu that reps ought to serve their constituency in the forum prescribed by the Constitution.
Regardless who says what, the point is, at the end of the day, elected officials have to be about the people’s business. Stand on the courage of your convictions, even when a solitary voice crying in the wilderness. You are hemorrhaging valuable support that could have the unintended consequence of a one-party state. If we agree that this would be in no one’s interest, then what other choice do you have?
You have made your statement, now your country needs you. Man up and go back to Parliament!
Your time will come.
Dr. Sam
I agree with you sir, we are not implying that they should not stand against whatever they deem corrupt. The point is they were elected to serve the people, they could have gone to the Parliament and also have their town hall meetings and meet with the people that would have been a good idea…
So now we still do not have a clean voters list, there still aren’t any voter id cards, the g/ment could still import votes so the bi-election might still be corrupt right?……so what will happen then?
1. Why can’t the people claiming to have dead people’s names on the voter list make note of these names and make it public or available to the electoral office?
2. Further, what guarantees do we have that these proposed voter’s ID cards couldn’t be tampered and duplicated?
3. Why didn’t the UWP make these changes when they formed the government? Isn’t the current system the same system used when Mr. James was PM?
well …well
It would be very embarrassing for the Labour party to go up in Marigot and Salisbury and lose. And that is what will happen.
It will also be interesting to see how much money is pumped into both constituencies in this depressed economy, when they are no jobs, no new investments, no creativity by this goverment to stimulate the economy.
All we see is closure by here going out of business by there.
If the Labour Party loses these two seats by larger margins than before, it should be a sign that the people have now come to there senses, and has lost all hope in this goverment.
The only honorable thing to do then is resign.
The Labour Party surely does not expect to win in these two constituencies. However what is going to be gained by the UWP winning those seats comfortably again?! Alas! No representation in the house of Parliament! And y? Because they are goin to say that it was another corrupt election! And the merry-go-round continues!! Just a waste of time and money because some little boys couldn’t accept defeat and go represent the people who voted for them…
Niether can we take the UWP seriously Mr.Chein filled James! UWP is coming we well remember in 1995 and before. They came and what? It was only a political orgasm and premature at that. What do we see? We see exactly what these men are broken men struggling to remain current in politics and to regain the positions they use to have. they are nearing collapse as politicians even as persons.Eddie et Al say “so long to the house that Johnson built.” “Kiss it good bye.” Just as Skerrit et Al have demonstrated their greed and desire to do anything to stay in power. I say truge along in public shame. the public is laughing at you while they receive the crumbs you offer to remain in power.The day of reconing is at hand the D/can population will eventually read between the lines and rise up and determine their destiny free from the corrupt & all opportunists. Saturday may 29th ought to be used as a day of reflection to demonstrate to us how we have retrogressed as a people. We have yet to understand the events of our past. People who for self interest and enabling backward ness in the past are now seating where do not stand. We are being carried away dividing our country for hoodlums who do not care a rats ass about you nor me our history destiny as a people.Look at what we have elected to represent us aren’t their individuals 1000000 times more decent than these gangsters, juveniles , mis -educated ,disoriented,corrupt hicks in parliment? That having been said; those who should be protecting the shirtless ones are going over to the enemies of the people for self gain.Look at our former freedom fighters for independence sorrunding facists on one side and metamorphazing dictaor.Those of the former DLM cadres of the past some are so disoriented because of poverty of mind that they prefer (after being trained by leaders who have themselves become opportunistic ) choose to join churches and keep quiet.
The Commonwealth of Dominica faces a daunting & scary future. We are in need of leadership. We have been stripped of so many potential citizens who have migrated not only for economics but fed up with the mediocracy the opportunists and uneducated choose to put in office.The drum has begun tobang quickly on us as a nation we are losing our soveignity.Our political life is in tatters. It is time to take a stance and remove these by products on mental poverty from the positions they occupy. These verbally & mentally handicapped ministers have no right to be where they are, it reflexs that something is wrong with us as a nation. Listen to roosevelt, Douglas and Blackmoore what a disgrace to the english language.These guys should not even be allowed to speak all things being logical.
My people when are we going to get tuned .i am well aware that commonsense is a scarce commodity in DA. We have a group of guys who are labeled Gov’t who are on course to destroy DA, selling the country piece by peice minute by minute enriching themselves & their enablersin the process.Skerrit et al certain cannot claim to have a foreign policy what they have are operations to raise funds like Russia does.Russia wishes daily Iran and the US continue on their destructive path so she russia can sell her oil. Our guys make deals with our passports quarries etc. Their politics is based on the way they see the world.It’s DA according to the new infiltrated party. money and politics is so out of control manifested in the purchase of the dec 2009 eections. Clearly the chatting heads the opportunists ,the mentally ill or delusioned(, the frogs who leap from party to party as if the parties are stones who do not wish to be left out will certainly disagree.)
Tony only looking for his friends if you boycott they win , and he will be in heven, I hope you all dont listen to him,
Mr James, WHAT AN EVIL WEB WE WEEVE
Shame john & edison. John Hector you are a young man and very intelligent, please dont let eddison james lead u wrong, you no better than that. All those nonesense about the interpretation of the law by all u lawyer are bias. Always remember dominicans have no faith in Linton and the other, just remember all the talk on Q95 meant nothing, we all still went and elect the DLP by a bigger magine. So Stop all you nonesense. Dominican are not stupid.
We are interested in Development and that what we are getting. Mr. Skerrit is the best leader we have ever had and with our prayer he will continue to lead this land to more development.
God Bless Skerrit.
Shame, Shame, Shame on UWP who thinks Dominicans are stupid and will listen to them.
Shame on those on Q95. One word of advice. Dominicans dont take your words seriously. all those power hungry people saying the same thing on Q95 all the time.
Mr James you are the one that should not be taken seriously. It just goes to show that your interests is not in the people of Marigot or Dominica but in self agrandizement .
You boycotted Parliament then when you realize that there was the possibility of a bye-election you came asking the speaker to be absent from parliament. how can you be asking for permission to be absent from a place you have not been?
Who you trying to fool.
Prevost took his oath of office in spite of your boycott. So in essence hes is saying that he does not stand on the same ground as you two or he may just be having the same selfish motive . To protect his seat, not to represent the people he took the oath.
Why didn’t you sanction Prevost by breaking the boycott?
You complained that the general election had irregularities and requested changes to the voters list. So now you are saying that it is OK to participate in the bye election in Marigot whether the list is cleaned up or not?
What hypocrisy.
It is you that Marigot people need not take you seriously.
Your own words are coming back to bite you. You all are nothing more than bunch of ( I quote you ) “jerkers and shirkers”
LOPS ( Loss of Power Syndrome ) really affecting you.
In all seriousness the populace ought to guard against the issues of deification and demonisation of politicians. It is a common trend to deify some politicians. Some politicians are seen by many as being deified. Such deification of human beings can be a very dangerous trend indeed. what happens when the exulted or deified politician or politicians can no longer deiliver the promised good- on time, well the very persons are demonised. There is the trend which is called demonisation of persons. It is of paromount importance for every politician or person in public office to guard against undue polarity and fame. You see, the same persons who hail you as king will be there waiting when they grow wary and tired of you to put some big big nails on the cuffin. What is needed is for politicians to deliver what the promised to the communities and make them happy. Its a matter of saying Yes when Yes is meant and so forth….
Regarding the persent state of affairs in Dominica, surely there has to be an opposition. There has to be a group to keep the government in check so as to be true to the laws and constitutions. If in any conutry there is no oppisition – there is no sense having budget debates and so forth or house sittings..,..
So let good sense prevail and look at the way things are done in the Uk and other developed nations.
Ps : when i look at the quality of the comments and the kind of things said because folks are bent on party line – it leave much to be deisired. As least let the world know that some rational and intuitive and perceptive folks occupy the nature isle. Aggree to disagree but keep the fooolishness and nonsense for a kubuli lime or stuff like dat
Country first ……………………..
The opposition parties hope to return to power by creating a political crisis. They anticipate that they will thrive in such an environment which will make the government look weak and out of control. They will then exploit any crisis to their advantage. Their first miscalculations were that the Prime Minister could not appoint a Chief of Police and the House of Assembly could not elect the Speaker of the House without consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. They lost on both counts because the constitution makes provisions for situations such as these.
Now, they are trying to exploit what may become a constitutional crisis. The Attorney General made a valid point about members electing the Speaker before taking the Oath but the opposition also has a point. Can the parties “work it out” without resorting to another long drawn out court battle which will cost the tax payers millions. Some people do profit financially from these crises.
If the parties do not humble themselves and cut their losses, they are handing the DLP a huge advantage. Remember the DLP has 18 seats. It takes 2/3 of the House Members to amend the constitution. If the constitution is so vague about how seats are declared vacant, when are they vacant and who declares them vacant; then, obviously, it needs amending to avoid such a crisis in the future. If the opposition does not cooperate in such an endeavour, then the DLP will have no choice but to do what is required. Even the constitution of the USA has had several amendments.
During the constitutional crisis in 1979 a Committee for National Salvation arrived at an accomodation that chose P.M. Oliver Seraphin to head the government and to prevent further chaos and bloodshed. Let common sense prevail. Let all the elected members return to the House, amend the constitution and work on electoral reform. Dominica wins.. Otherwise, DLP will and should amend the constitution. If the opposition does not participate, they may not like the outcome, like inserting a clause that allows children of Dominicans with dual citizenship to hold elected office including that of the Prime Minister.So be careful what crisis you try to create. It may just backfire to DLP’s advantage.
Hector, I voted for you and You have disappointed me big time. I voted for representation. You there following edison James who is the past… I voted for a future for u and Dominica.
Disappointed in you and edison juames circular logic… makes no sense what u doing.
Hey guys this crap is getting way pass ridiculos.
can’t someone stop all that crap? Mr.President formner chair of the faculty of law Cave hill B/dos UWI can’t you put some sense into the calabashes of these idiots and tell them basta ya! enough?
In the post PJ fall a group of D/cans formed a gov’t of salvation( even if it was composed of what have turned out to be a bunch of opportunists who are never left out) We need to form one once more to save our country from all the doodoo we have going on today. DA is fast be coming a zoo. Boy are we having new imports chinese,Russian venezueans, french, brazilians now Indians.
i cudnt agree with you more ron….. them man dont even kno why the boycotting…. i can clearly recall that mr green d night of the election said that the election was clear and there is nothing more he cud do…. next thing i hearing it had corruption in election…. them man make their plan to do not go in parliament not because there was corruption but because they dont have a choice. if the did who was going to b leader? x member for marigot was given d mantle and he failed, his time pass for that, x member salisbury is no different from the former and x member for roseau central is just dere to attend to funerals and drive around town…. they are left with nothing so the easiest way to cover up is to boycott parliament. there was no reasoning for their action…. i never was a supporter of that party and i dont think i will after all this…. i want to see who dat looking for their pockets now…. i just see a setta power hungry fellars that if given the opportunity wud just destroy our nature isle…. one party state they protesting abt? how can u b so educated and yet such a fool? 5 parties went up for the election, there is no way it can b a one party state…. and besides u have 3 seats…. sit and think of how u can bring bac ur party, u dere boycotting and then saying skerrit want one party state…. hmmmmm i never see those kinda things before….
for allu to sit dwn with jacket and tie inside wen all the heads were there to expose the so called corruption allu pull up like fools outside garraway with placards….hmmm first time me self see nonsense happening like dat…. u guys need to grow up! one thing give uwp their props eh….. world’s shortest reign as a government, and world’s fastest party to die!!!! DAT SUD REACH DA RECORD BOOKS…… dont u think? spaggs word of advise…. get a life…. try something else…. maybe politics is not ur thing!
James’ statement gives me the impression that Marigot is turning into a “garrison” constituency or community..
Now if anyone on this forum don’t know what is a “garrison” community, please Google the following words “garrison communities in Jamaica.”
Presently Jamaica is suffering from the blight of such constituency in terms of Tivoli Garden. i don’t have to explain this, its all over the news and it can be googled also.
I hope and pray that no community or constituency in Dominica goes down that route.
John & james ! lol you are a freakie person.I get your drift but you sure make fun of our serious situation .You’ve seen SHREK already ? look like you in de diaspora! we not fortunate like you we need a movie house.Prevo done convert Carib into a mall lol. Send me a bootleg CD nuh!
Your analysis is great.
Just 4 kicks. John & James when I started reading sounded at first like a play,TV movie sequel. Like Bunny & Clyde, jack & Jill ( who went up a hill to fetch votes lol) Tililly & IAk,Starsky & Hutch add yours lol This Commonwealth of DA just full of comedy. I honestly want to wake up and come to the realization all this was just a humorous dream am having as I write. DA is certainly not the same any more post 95. First as Donny Boyd said july 1995.: The horse are out of the stable ( UWP Time on satge) then came Rosie & Pierro who unfortunatly came to their premature demise. Little did we know that the Original DLP would be infiltated then taken over by Rompel Skinskino who signed DA over to the Chinese ,Venezuelans etc & god knows who else.
I took my grand kids to see SHREK at yesterday opening. It was so interesting to Da’s contemporay situation I could not beleive my ears and eyes.(Maybe it’s my screwed up political satiristic brain. But when SHREK signed away a day in his life to Rompel I thought of Skerro signing away or soverinity
to the Chinese ,Venezueans .500 yrs ago they were brought here as indentured servants today they come as Investors. It from columbus to Skerrit as oppose to from Columbus to Castro.
JAMES and JOHN- Is that conicidence or irony?.
Those of us who have read the Bible will recall that there were two disciples of Jesus( brothers at that) called James and John whose mother made requests of Jesus that when he gets into his kingdon that he place them to sit, one at his immediate right side and the other at his immediate left.
What was the significance of this request? Power . Yes. She wanted power for them.
James and John are behaving that way so that people can have sympathy for them. Many of those who are supporting James and John are infact doing just as the mother of those two disciples.
So all that you see happening here is the same hunger for power being manifested particularly by Mr James and Mr Green who not only failed to bring his party to win the election but also failed to win his own seat. Mr. James and Mr Green are suffering from LOPS- loss of power syndrome and Mr John has allowed himself to become infected.
Jesus’ response to the mother of those two disciples was ” this is not mine to give”.
James and John must also realise that their “wishes is not parliament’s nor the speaker of the house to give”. The electors made a decision that neither parliament nor the speaker can reverse.
The UWP, Mr Green, Mr James and Mr John , you must accept that which was given to you and not what you want. The people gave UWP 3 seats and that is what the party is entitled to. Mr James and Mr John were given a seat each but apparently they have rejected it and spat in the voters’ face by boycotting the parliament and not representing the interests of the people.
James and John the disciples did not receive their mother’s demand and neither will Edison James and Hector John .
Time…
Who say that Astaphan has no respect for Dominican People???? Eddison James and Hector John has no respect for us, because they fail to represent us in Parliament. I will never vote for Eddison James again.
The way the UWP has been conducting and portraying itself since the last general elections,to me, has reached a pathetic stage. From the onset, the UWP has claimed that the electoral process in Dominica is corrupt, the subsequent basis for boycotting parliament and also the pending lawsuit. Dominica is now at a croosroad where bi-elections are emminent in Marigot and Salisbury. These bi-elections have put the UWP in a very delicate situation; a situation from my perspective, it wishes it was not part of. Why should the UWP take part in the bi-elections? The bi-elections will take place under the same conditions of the electoral commission; there are no ID cards, no new voter list, etc. It will be the same conditions that the UWP used as their premise for the boycot and subsequent lawsuit. Participation in the bi-elections by the UWP will demonstrate hypocrisy on its part; a facade, which evidently cannot be seen by its supporters. I would like a rational response from anyone for the reason why UWP supporters in Marigot and Salisbury should be toyed with by the representatives of their party. Hector John is contracdicting himself by saying that the people of his constituency should exercise their democratic right to vote. Hector, these people were given their democratic right to vote in the general election. They voted for you hoping to get representation but you back pedalled. The people of Salisbury are now given a second chance to get representation by boycotting you or anyone from the UWP because a vote for you will be a waste of time. Voting for the UWP will be seen as a comical cycle which will cost the people of Dominica wated time and money. On a different note, the decision of Prevost to take his oath in parliament can influence the high court’s decision on June 18th. Prevost’s action demonstrares that finally the present government of Dominica is legitimate and worthy of recognition
UWP IS DOING THE RIGHT THING!! The only way democracy can stay alive in Dominica is for UWP to continue with their actions. I suspect Mr. Skerrir is the PM of D/ca but not Marigot and Salisbury because you do NOT need 2 more seats to represent the people of those two constituencies. It is a shame DLP has to put the country ina constitution crisis. The shift and say everything to please or fit their ego. What about the PM dual citizenship? No constitution rules against that? Can you imagine if that was Mr. JAmes? Let us respect our laws and UWP is trying to do that for us……NO BIECLECTION IN MARIGOT OR SALISBURY — we will pay with our blood!!
If these guys are serious about what they are protesting in the first place; they would not contest a bi-election.If they do contest that just means they are blowing hot air.
boy look how edo and hecto watching each other .they ready to fight we boy.edo telling hector boy i will mash u up and john saying come lat me burst the big nse for u
The are no longer elected members. Their seats have been declared vacant and thus they are not elected.
Man if the people of marigot and salisbury doh want labour, i would rather see them give Judeth and D freedom patty 2 legs to stand on and live uwp with D one leg of Prevost hupping into D house every three seating than to have D uwp running a three leged race with Eddy, Hector and Norris and when D 3rd seating reach have Norris fighting with them to untie D rope so he can huppppp into D house trying to make it on time.
The desicion to boycott parliament was a huge mistake and now the UWP have nothing but egg on their face. We are talking about Dominica here where laws don’t mean anything. UWP expected then for the constitution to be on their side and that the seats would remain vacant forever or until such time that there is electoral reform? Isn’t this the same constitution that Skerrit mash with his foot and said would not stop him from doing what he want? UWP really thought that the constitution would save their seats for them? They forgetting themselves man and they forgetting is Dominica we talking about.
So now that by-elections will take place, if they win a second time are they going to boycott again? Will the people of Marigot and Salisbury be happy without representation indefiniitely and put up with this nonesense?
It seems if they had attended parliament and showed the people of Dominica how much guts they have and how they can work hard in the face of all what the government could do them, then they would be more respected and probably have a real chance next election to get more seats. As it is now, they dont have a leg to stand on and they looking more mahjee than before. No amount of court case will change anything. Is Dominica we talking about gassa.
But let me say this. That Tony Astaphan is a dangerous man. He should have kept his mouth shut. It is just 2 little seats that the government don’t need and for him to tell people to boycott the election says a lot about his character and about where his loyalty lies. I hope Dominicans are taking note.
It doh have no winners here.
James and John just wont get it the uwp just not making any sense by their actions, how can U B all over the place saying that U will not represent the people who elected U and then espect D speaker to seat and wait on U 2 say i vacate my seat. Young and Old men you both need 2 get that stright. John is not ready to represent people and James time is up, as for me, i am real upset with the law, i think it should go on to say that once your seat has been vacated u should not be allowed to go up for election within 20 years time.
somebody calling the ref owe we living them burst the fight
oh boy i had forget its workers the jokers
boy all u do see how eddo watching hector? he there like he ready to fight with him .watch his mouth and the big nose on a side. and hector just wating for him with his fist ready to burst the big nose wee. they say is john and james but i belive is ohn and ames because john and james too smart they would never behave like mister them.
its james and john but not the wise james and john of the bible . i belive that this two should be renamed larry and moe and also the ron green shrimp because thats what they are the 3 stoogies or the 3 fools.i have never seen more educated ilitarates then those. cry babies put your fingers in your mouths and tell your mother what u want and shut up fools.
How can they possible represent the people who voted for them?
their behaviour represent their own ego and not the people who trusted them with a vote
Selfish behaviour
Is the former Prime Minister really from Monkey Hill? If the answer is yes, then he has no reason to behave as one. Whoever that person was who named the area Monkey Hill obviously had a lot of foresight, he must have known that Mr. James would live there.
On a more serious note, Mr. James and the UWP must answer a few questions to the Dominican people before he and the UWP contest the forthcoming bye-election.
1. Has the UWP acknowledge that the government is now legit?
2. When and how did that happen?
3. Has it been 18 months since the last general election of December 18, 2009?
4. Has there been electoral reform as demanded by UWP?
5. Has the voters list been cleaned of the several hundred dead, living in the diapora and
whereabout unknown since the last general election?
6. Has the UWP gained more access to DBS and GIS?
7. Has Prime Minister Skerrit been told that he can now hold dual citizen?
8. Are you Messrs James and John satisfied that you made and error in judgement?
9. Are you all conceding that you were misled and given bad advice?
10. Are you now telling the Marigot and Salisbury voters you are ready to represent them?
11. Have voters in the Marigot and Salisbury Constituency issued with Voters ID? and finally was
there a general election after the ecember 18, 2009?
Your answer to any of these questions will determine whether you have conceded that you the UWP are the greatest threat to out demoncracy. It’s like a dog going back to its vomit and eat it, not only having eaten the vomit but the poo with the vomit.
You’ll now agree that your legal advisors from the University of Q95fm, especially your Constitutional advisor Attorney Lennox Linton QC, BC has made a mess of you and the UWP. So very often I was told that the President said this and that, so I took time to read for my self and now reproduce part of the President’s speech.
The President added that “constitutionally and by convention, the Leader of the Opposition enjoys a status which enables that person to have a say in matters of State; and this carries with it the expectation that the Prime Minister will consult him from time to time on important problems of national concern.” These concerns include constitutional change, electoral reform, territorial integrity, environmental protection and climate change and regional and sub-regional integration.
Surely, there has been no consultation with any member of the Opposition as outlined by the President, so where exactly does that leave the UWP.
The President also explained what the constitution provides for in the absence of a Leader of the Opposition.
Who can doubt that the President has tolerated the conduct of the Opposition since December 18, 2009, this is what the President said,”If an occasion arises when no person is both qualified and willing to accept appointment as Leader of the Opposition, the Constitution empowers the President to act in his own deliberate judgement on any matter in which he is required to act on the advice of, or after consultation with, the Leader of the Opposition.”
It is clear therefore, that the President could ignore the opposition and give accent to certain provisions of the Constitution, maybe, just maybe the opposition may just force the hands of the President. UWP take note and be careful of what you seek.
TWO JACKS IN A BOX
TWO SOT!!!
Mr John and Mr James the electorial list is still tainted. No electoral reform has occured. I thought that was part of the reason you are staying out of Parliment? Over the past five months the UWP leadership and officials have definely confirmed that they do not understand the constituion of Dominica. I really cannot believe that they once formed the government(1995) or was even in oposition(1990)!
Of course ,I will agree that there is urgent need for some kind of electoral reform but i am also convinced that 2009 elections in Dominica was fair. Infact, all other general elections in Dominica have been fair — the election results that brought UWP to parliment in 1990 as oposition or as the government in 1995- elections that kept freedom party in government from 1980-1995 – Mr James and Mr. John you should have attended Parliment – your representation in Parliment is your constituients constitutional right.’You have denied them that right and definetly needs to be voted out in any by election .
Mr. John and MrJames most Dominicans are law abiding citizens and are not as stupid as your officials seem to claim- yes in 2009 the majority voted 18-3 in favor of the DLP because they were the best political party then. DLP leadership then demonstrated effective leadership, organization and , purpose. UWP was too busy oposing every “dam thing from 2000- 2009′ without providing any alternative.
Mr. John and mr. james What have you done in your constituency over the past five months. Nothing! Oh yes you were creating a one party state! . And yes you are waiting to get into government to help create employment, or help work any against a social ill that plagues our country.
Mr John and Mr. James the idea of a ” People’s Parliment” is an excellent idea but even that you are failing at because presently you have created a’ one party state’ . An effective representative would attend both because he/she would realize that one does work without the other! You have nor idea of what true democracy really is
WHY ALL YOU RED POEPLE TAKE IT EASY AND WASH OUT THE RED EYE! IT IS OBVIOUSE THAT YOU ALL CAN`T SEE THAT “SKERO” IS HAVING DIFFICULTY IN KEEPING OR MAKING AVAILABLE MUST OF HIS CAMPIGNE PROMISES. AND SO TO GET YOUR NARROW MIND OCCUPIED HE WILL USE A BY ELECTION, AS A DISTRACTION FROM THE REAL TRUTH, WHICH YOU ALL ARE VERY HUNGRY.
Hector said “He should be asking the constituency to exercise their democratic right instead of staying away from the by-elections”. Is Hector serious? All of a sudden he knows about exercising democratic right? Didn’t he know that the people had the democratic right to be represented for the past 5 months? You politicians are a bunch of irresponsible people who just like to hear your name call in ah ting.
Unpricipal flip floppers!! Like dogs with tails between their legs, they want to return to their vomit. People of Marigot & Salisbury, UWP have pulled an okie-dokie on you. They said they weren’t going to the House in protest, and they did; they said that they wouldn’t part-take in any election without reform and they are going to. You’ve been had, duped, hoodwinked, bamboozled-made fools of!! The question is, what are you going to do about it?! Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
Royer you never uwp. I know you all to be Freedom and now labour. DO YOU WANT MORE!! HECTOR FOR SURE !!.LOL
They misleading this young man eh?
Think UWP corrupt just wait until the real dragon raises its head. No more Red Clinic, no promised houses, no salary increase for nurses, teachers and other public servants. The boys continue to live lavish lifestyles while Dominica goes deeper and deeper in the pit. Alas Bondier, aider nous sou plait
I appauld the peopple of SALIBURY and MARIGOT my hat off to you you will be the only Villages that will go down in history to define the odds and stand up with your CONSTITUTION is hand I appeal to you do not worry do not fret because with you I do believe the CONSTITUTION is worth fighting for and the COURTS will decide the out come so till then stand side by side with your PPL because to boycott the House was not a move that was decided over night.
And to those people out there that want to tell the people of MARIGOT and SALSBURY they should throw out MR.JAMES and Mr.JOHN why dont you ask your PM to throw out some of those lazy MPP he have in cabinet and why dont you get on the PM case to create JOBs for you especially the young people so many things that is there to be done instead you wast your breath defending the the likes of TONY ASTAPHEN who the hell are you had it ever accured that we can decide for ourselves.
Something that you all should be concerned about is TONY ASTAPHEN the spoke person for the GOVERNMENT of DOMINICA.
so who should we take seriously….u two????? hehehehe
nothing constructive comes from mouths of UWP!!
WE SHALL OVERCOME, DEEP IN OUR HEARTS WE KNOW IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO .NO JUSTICE! NO PEACE! WHEN GOD IS FOR YOU WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU? NO DEVIL IN HELL.
John and Eddison must realize that their stance proved a total lack of respect for their people of their constituency. No excuse should be laid for their stance taken. So i think is best they keep silent.
didn’t the words “no constitution,no law can stop me from being nominated” fall on some ears as lacking respect for the same constitution that defines this land ,however it fell on others as ode to joy?
i wonder what would the uwp members wold have done if they had won the currupt election,would they have taken thier oaths and become the government or would they have boycotted and call for new elections.did’nt they know that the election was currupt they had no access to state media , the election list was not clean etc before they too part in the election.why didnt they boycott the election in the first place.they thought they would have worn the currupt election and become government right.lol
Free and fair elections are paramount in any democratic country. It is not simply putting an X but there is a process leading up to putting the X. It has to do with production and use of ID cards before, having a clean list before, not a list with 67000 names on it in a country of 69000, as well as equal access to the National radio stations, before the actual vote, so that voters could get the opportunity to listen to different views of the parties. It also has to do with adhering to the laws of the land by not partaking in bribery. In all those comments or statements heard or read, the important consideration of ELECTORAL REFORM is deliberately thrown aside. All over the world people are asking for ELECTORAL REFORM and for people to exercise their right to vote for the persons of their choose freely and fairly, without intimidation or manipulation, and without bribery. Elections filled with irregularities cannot be free and fair as the courts ruled in favour of the Antigua Labour Party. All Labourites were jumping up at the court’s decision in Antigua against the ruling party. In Dominica they are stressing themselves out fighting for ABSOLUTE POWER.
Certainly the DLP would be advocating for the same ELECTORAL REFORM if they were in opposition. Any serious political party would ask for the same so that future elections could be free and fair without bribery and to ensure a strong democracy.
ELECTORAL REFORM NOW. DO IT FOR THE PEOPLE. DO IT NOW FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE CHILDREN’s CHILDREN TO COME. DO IT FOR THE LOVE OF DOMINICA
UWP is known as the party that brings down giants. Watch out !!! another Goliath is about to fall. The Giant and his army are so full With confidence these days, they are even laughing, poking fun at everyone. Do you know that sometimes power and might can be mere traps, a set up for a mighty collapse?? A moment is all it takes. 18 seats does not gives you more power, it only gives you more responsibility because power belongeth to the Lord. ‘all power is given to me in heaven and in earth”, in earth(Dominica). My advise to the strong=be humble, chill out and be wise because “we are of yesterday and know nothing”
Leave God out of all you comess!
People have this habit of running to God all the time….They want money they pray to God, as if God has money.
Use your means!
God does not interfere with the day to day operations which is why we have free will.
Edison James is killing the UWP just like Mamo killed DFP.
Absolute Power corrupts and Power corrupts Absolutely….
A bigger man would have stepped down, allow the Party to Refresh/Replenish/Re-born and then become even more viable and take on the DLP.
That has not, and will not happen……
Edison and Hector, NO….you got it all twisted. We are not taking you seriously. Tony did not run for political office to represent the people of DA. You did. You have decide to stay out for various reason.
It’s quite likely, you will win your seat but stay out of the house again and make a mockery of it.
The analogy here is like a man decided to stay out of his marriage/home on the grounds that there were technicalities in the marriage that needed to be rectified before he commits again to the marriage and move back into their home.
As soon as the Wife decides she has had enough and wants another hand to clap to continue with the business of the house he wants back in. The same condition exist, nothing has changed.
Dominicans, please answer this….Will the man stay in the house/ marriage considering nothing has changed.
Are Edison and Hector going to commit to the parliament and their marriage to Dominica, since voter ID , registration list and all the other stuff they wanted to be removed are still some of the technicalities they wanted to be addresses before taking the oath.
Ummmm. I really don’t think it’s wise to select a blog name so close to the biggest retard on DNO i’m talking about the infamous StayTuned.
That’s equivalent to naming yourself after some other social pariah such as Hitler, Bin Laden or kin to naming yourself after your friendly neighbourhood paro.
Just saying….
You make some good points though, after the first sentence I realised it wasn’t StayTuned cuz he/she is incapable of making any sense.
Hector boy, you really messed up this time. I can not believe that you got elected to represent the hard working people of the Bawi constituency and you there following a bunch of retirees that have their bread well butter already…and didn’t go and make a name for yourself! Can you imagine that in the history books you will be remembered as the young Pal Rep (elect) who just failed to go to parliament and do the people’s work?
Garçon Spaghetti, as much as we good friends on the block, if a bi-elect is called right now my vote is also one vote that you will NOT get!!! I just hope that the other parties get good candidates to run against you because right now, I will vote an intelligent dog instead of voting for you!
Boy the two of you look just like two clowns before the election it was three blind mice Eddie Ron Sanford now is dumb and dumer you look so foolish hector we not voting for you no more, you should have stayed there and take over the party but you let those retired (very tired) men fool you now you out just like them so you will stay out Eddison you fool the marigotians but your time has come,this the end of you we in marigot dont want you your waste of time and ours fearwell have a good retirement we going LABOUR you did nothing for marigot but problems bye bye
MORE politics. MORE crime and MORE DA go down!! Thanks to those politician and their followers.
Keep the faith Mr. James and Mr. John. We are with you. Dominica is with you.
We don’t need Tony to dictate to us what we should do………… We are capable of making our own decisions and we in Salisbury will be votihg Hector again; and thats final………….
If and when your interests are not represented in government , who are you going to blame when it is you who voluntarily throw away your vote by voting for Edison and Hector?
Stop throwing away your gold rings to the pigs. Voting for those guys again is a waste of your precious votes.
In his letter to the Speaker, Eddison James seeks clarification as to who declared his seat vacant. He wants to know under what authority whoever it is declared his parliamentary seat vacant. In the same letter, he also claims that he did not vacate his seat.
I believe Mr. James’ questions can be answered in the following way. What are the circumstances that could serve to make vacant a parliamentary seat? Is there a requirement for an elected member not to miss three consecutive sittings of the house without leave of the speaker? If that is so. Has Mr.James and his youthful protege’ Sprags missed out on attending three consecutive sittings of the house to which they were duly notified and invited to attend? Will the record show Mr. James, that you missed or rather chose not to attend parliament for the last three consecutive sittings because you were protesting the results of the 2009 general elections in which the labour aprty beat you 18 – 3 ? Is that so? have you been to parliament since the December 18th general elections? teh records will show that you were not in attendance.
If you claim not to have vacated your seat in parliament, how then do you explain Mr. Norris Prevost’s stance on the matter when on the third seating of prliament he rushed to parliament at the last minute simply to avoid his seat becoming vacant? never mind the public explanation for going to parliament. It was simply an insult to my inteligence.
If you claim that you did not vacate your seat, but the speaker is purporting to have vacated your seat, then why don’t you go to the High Court for redress?. Make the Speaker feel your hand and the power of the legal advice you have received..
In any event there is clear indication that legally trained lawyers are differing on the provisions of the constitution in this regard. The constitution of the land has provided that in such situations, the only legally mandated institution to interprete the constitution is the High Court of Justice. Not Tony, not Don C, not President liverpool (although he is eminently qualified so to do), not any other institution. Certainly, and very importantly, not Lennox – but the High Court.
Stop playing on people’s emotions in the hope that soem of your supporters would be moved to take the law into their hands. Mr James you are supposed to be a reasonable man. Go to the High Court with your case and see what happens. stop sayingwhat you do not mean when you mean what you do not say.
Lets deal with the facts and what the law says, and do not twist it to suit you argument.
Here is the low down in plain English – From Me A Lawyer with Many Years standing at the Bar in Dominica, Tortola, Grenada, St.Lucia.
The constitution never gave anyone in the house to “to declare any seat vacant” not even parliament as a body has that authority according to the constitution.
The constitution says ” the member shall vacate his seat” it did not say the seat “shall be declared vacant” . Notice how the AG in her statement is using both terms in her statement like it means the same thing. It does not!
The members in question wrote the speaker back and indicating that “they did not vacate their seat” and that she should provide the authority cited when “she declared their seat vacant”.
Now what you have here is a question as to wheather a “seat has become vacant”.
Section 40 of the constitution provides a resolution for that question be answered in the court.
The answer in Section 40 is: The constitution provides for only an Elected member, or a voter in the constituency or the Attorney General Herself to Go to Court to get the court to make a declaration that the seat has indeed become vacant/ “the member has vacated his seat”
But all this only applies if the member had taken the oath which is required to take his seat in the first place.
Example, if Mr. Prevost now decideds to skip parliament 3 times, then all this would apply to him. It does not apply to anyone who has not taken the oath and therefore has not taken his seat.
The constitution does imply that there can be a elected representative, a member of parliament who has not taken his seat. Now because the constitution and the standing orders does not have this specific wording in them, then we must revert to the practice of the house of commons in England and basically be guided by the standing orders and practices there. ( with some legal fix-up however) . It is safe to say that the house of commons does provide for an elected member who has not taken his seat in parliament.
If you really understand the Law/Constitution and the standing orders, and in the interest of jurisprudence even you will sustain what has been written here
That is my piece/peace. ( don’t mind the spelling mistakes , no time to check)
where is the uwp going with this, after the by election then wat? when is all this nonsense going to end? A year hasnt even passed since skeritt in office and you all finding problems… jah! I suspect the entire UWP needs to come back with a different plan, cause all of this shows is that your party is not organized, its deterioating and under terrible management. Come back with a better plan tht will make us citizens of dca put our trust in you and then can you move forward.
Mr. John i’m really unsure of the situation that’s going on. One thing i do know is that you are a man that is keen on doing the right thing.
sorry hector i’m not voting for u again. i vote so u could represent me and u fail too. my vote is one less. royer do not think u getting my vote?
royer you never uwp. i know you all to be freedom and now labour .DO YOU MORE!! HECTOR FOR SURE.! LOL
Give it top us. We need a one state Government here to put all BLUES in jail!
UWP, a bunch of chickens! Are they staying away from the “corrupt” by-election or are they sending a representative? They seem confused right now. Based on their stance to boycott the by-election, does it really matter what Tony says? These guys are behaving like a bunch of chicken without heads. Ron Green’s failed leadership has placed the UWP in a very bad position, especially with the poor advice they have been acting on. I have listened to thier lawyers friends on the air consistenlty misinterpret the law. What a shame.
Royer you never uwp.I know you all to be Freedom and now Labour. DO YOU WANT MORE!! HECTOR FOR SURE!!LOL