President of the United Workers Party (UWP) and former Prime Minister Edison James said the boycotting of parliament by the UWP should come as no surprise to the electorate.
Following an 18-3 victory in favour of the incumbent Dominica Labour Party, the UWP decided to boycott the proceedings on grounds of bribery and irregularities. They formed their own parliament.
James told a press conference last week that over the years, parliament had not served in the best interest of the Opposition.
“There are those who say that it is better for us to be in the parliament and do our work in the parliament because that’s the only way we can recognize the people. This is not true. In fact the parliament over the years has become a wishy-washy useless organization as far as representation by the Opposition is concerned,” he said.
James recalled when a motion was brought forward by parliament for the improvement of the lives of Dominicans and it was rejected.
“We put a motion that the two sides should work towards the achievement of an international airport and that was unceremoniously rejected. We sought on behalf of the people to get answers to get answers with regards to the stealing of Dominicans’ money involving our passports and the parliament refused to accept our questions… When the bin bobol surfaced in parliament, we sought simple clarifications and Mr. Skerrit refused to answer us…it was only outside of the parliament it was addressed. When you raise issues in parliament, the members of Government intend to insult you,” he said.
“They have made the parliament useless… if you look at how things have gone on over the years, there is little that was achieved by the Opposition in the Parliament,” James added.
He accused government of using parliament to score political points.
Mr James you stopped the Americans from coming in to build the Airport and then you asking to work together to build airport. Please Sir, is that the guidance you are going to give to Hon John. Well if that is the kind of Dinasaur Politics he is going to learn from then he wont make it and thats sad, PEACE.
This comment coming from a man who held the highest office in the land?… WOW! I will say nothing much, for it is said if you do not have anything good to say about someone, then you should say nothing. or should I say it is better to keep your mouth closed, and be considered an idiot, than to open it, and remove all doubts.
mean ka tawn cout sour.
@ ‘Leona’
Co-sign 1000%
UWP was disorganized and their campaign was truly pathetic and that’s the real reason they only won 3 seats. Their strategy was ‘lets throw everything at Skerrit and HOPE something sticks’ instead of ‘lets show how we’d do a better job than Skerrit’
Seriously when your political leader can’t even win his constituency you know you have a problem. I seriously wonder how many intelligent Dominicans out there truly believe that Ron McCain’s tired a** could do a better job than Skerrit.
@ ‘Onelove’
Who are you claiming to speak for with all your BS? Once elections are over, most Dominicans go back to their routines and for the most part put aside politics till the nxt elections roll around. There’s no wide-scale hate among Dominicans for each other because of politics, so unless u have some empirical data to back up your crap then STFU.
Oh and we don’t hate Ron McCain we feel sorry for him. Indifferent about Prevost and Sprags. What happened to the Carib dude? lol. Edison James is a dinosaur like Para et al no one in my generation of bright educated Dominicans actual listens to these guys anymore lmao.
Well well for a grown man of your age Edison… i think you need to stop playing childish games and come back to reality.you are an educated man,do you really think that your actions being taken now will show your fellow followers,how a strong and un -childish leader you are?come on man…its good to be head strong and all, i give you that ,you have pride and will go down fighting ,but fighting for what is not yours is the wrong thing,so as a leader,look at your self as a father which i know you are and do the right thing for your children..cause no one wants to be jackasses….
The UWP never thought that they would face such humiliation. But check this: Dame Eugenia Charles (Roseau Central), Stanley Fadelle (Grand Bay constituency – before Petite Savanne was separated) and the veteran politician, Anthony Moise (Soufouier) put up with Patrick John, Mike Douglas, O, J. Seraphine et al, in the 70’s. Mike Douglas (Portsmouth) and Urban Baron (Petite Savanne) put up with Dame Eugenia Charles, Armour, Cyrus and their DFP government / opposition combo without the benefit of an opposition leader nor the four opposition Senators, Now the UWP has the advantage of an opposition leader and four Senators (7 out of 30 parliamentarians) and yet they lack the confidence to step up. Let Dr, Wiltshire lead the party. I know how he mobilized South City. He is a man of steel. Girley men, pack up and get out of the way. ( Stirring the pot – ha ha !! )
“100% Dominican” and “Piper” couldn’t have said it better. I’ve seen parties and people lose the reins of power, but they accepted their painful defeat, took stock of where they went wrong, rebuilt–sometimes from scratch, and in 5, 10, or 15 years were back at the helm. That’s the way to go. It’s sad to see the opposition frustrating itself like that.
Micheal Davis’ comment is classic, “Parliament has to serve the best interest of the Dominican people … NOT the best interest of the Opposition.” Way to go Mr. Davis.
Is Mr. James suggesting that during his tenure in office he also contributed in making parliament “wishy washy” since this process occurred ‘over the years?’
UWP supporers and friends must understand clearly that all the insults disrespect and acid vituperation that is hurled at our victorious representatives are intended for US as well. These people dont HATE our leaders and LOVE us.They hate us all while they secretely ADMIRE and fear the the determination of the UWP;
..The PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENT is becoming more and more representative of all dominicans. Dominicans are now asking for weekly people’s parliament sessions(that speaks for itself) … imagine poor skerro is trying to compete just check how many sessions of his fake parliament he is advertising that he intends to call…
AND THE DEMONSTRATIONS ARE GROWING IN NUMBERS TOO!!! WITH QUALITY PEOPLE!!!
They are trying to DIVIDE the UWP. It is the UNITED Workers Party; and we will stay UNITED .. UWP is one for ALL and ALL for one AND THEY KNOW IT.No amount of cajoling or flattery will cause our leaders to deviate from obeying the instructions of their supporters …. STAY OUT OF THE HOUSE; WE VOTED FOR YOU WE TELL YOU WAT TO DO…. Let them go tell skerritt what to do if they can.
Venom,hate is all I can see mr.james.Rust in Peace.
Edited: The UWP has tried very hard to render Parliament not only useless but disgraceful. They have treated Parliament with utter disrespect over the years. They have been largely absent anyway — frequent walk-outs, showing up to speak and leaving right after, disrespect to0 the Speaker. Norris Prevost, an educated and religious man (he would have us believe), typifies truly malcassay behaviour in the House unbecoming of a parliamentarian. In a sense the UWP has long been boycotting Parliament. Let them continue. It is shame and pique that account for the post-election behaviour of the UWP. They need ton atone for the comprehensiveness of their defeat — 18/3 and 61.4%. What could be their ultimate objective? To form th3e Government? Give them all of the five seats that they are contesting in the Courts; will they form the Government. Pride and false pride are all that their election petitions are about. They need to aplogise to those among us who are non-tribalist and are serious-minded Domni9nicans for the ineptness of their campaign. No strategic alternative; no plan; nothing serious for the electorate to co0nsider. All this after 4.5 years in Opposition. Truly embarrassing and disgraceful. Launching their manifesto “in a new way”. Ron Green and his team should truly hang their heads in shame and stay silent. They owe it to their country after their electoral embarrassment. More stupidness: after announcing that they will boycott the Parliament to which they were elected through their three seats, they are now accusing the PM of hounding them out of Parliament. They were the ones who said they were not taking thei9rmn seats in Parliament. Have we gone totally loon\y? Have Ron, Edison and Sam gone totally crazy? Or do they believe that the population consists of a bunch of jack-asses?
if is me that is skerrit and by elections happen n dem three constituencies vote dat STUPID PARTY i would not give them anything..STAY TUNED IS SEEMS U ALONE ON URE BOAT LOVE..lol…were u aT the 100 PEOPLE picket ? lol lol lol bondeau i dying laughing…N is a french /Dominica we want to run d country ..two is better than one lol…dont take labour to heart so man…GO EASY FADA STAY TUNED DO HURT URE BROTHER LOL
What a mean and desperate politician…Rest in peace Mic and Rose…..They stayed in political seen and it was all fun……Love dem or hate dem…just call a boxing match as the last resort.
I quite agree with Mr Michael Davis as this was exactly what I wanted to say to Mr James and the UWP. This people needs to understand that they have to do whatthey have to do that is to represent the persons who voted for them.
Did I just read that Eddison James has referred to parliament as USELESS???????? Ok well we will be in more trouble than I thought if these sorry a** people are ever voted back in…….GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!!!
I was almost at a loss for words, reading the statements of the (De Facto) UWP leader, Mr. James. It amazes me to hear him espouse the fact that the parliamentary process does not work in the interest of the opposition. Where in civilized democracy does the lawmaking process work towards the benefit of the lesser minority, Mr. James? Can you please anser that question at the next “peoples parliament”. A democracy is just that, MAJORITY RULES. As the elected Majority, the DLP has control of the lawmaking body and it is the job of the minority to oppose the processes they think can be better implemented. I am no politician and currently have no intent to be, but I am neither naive or unlearned. Your statement says that you and by extension, your party does not weild the power to hijack parliamentary decisions and therefore you no longer want to PLAY. Well sir, parliament is not a game. And definitely not one to be played at the expense of OUR well being. To be fair, let us say that you contest the recent elections? How do you see it as a democratic positive, being an elected member of the country’s lawmaking elite….to rouse HATE and DISCONTENT for the parliamentary process? If you feel there was wrong doing afoot, and you have an “airtight” case, then you and your fellow comrades will have your date in court, where decisions may be reversed. Or do you feel that the DLP has infiltrated the judicial body also. Instead, you have chosen to rally the public in an attempt to systematically and recklessly dismantle the governing process which you have been elected to uphold, and I might add….have participated in and upheld for several years in our nation’s past. I read and hear about the electoral wrongdoings, but where I am at a loss is where in the process does mister James find the parliamentary/lawmaking process at fault..with the exception that he is not in the favourable MAJORITY. It appears to me that Mr. James and his ELECTED subordinates would better serve the interest of our people and his dissatisfied public, by attending all sessions of parliament, recording the facts as they are debated and discussed and openly airing his disagreement with policies and legal motions, in a public forum..ie THE MEDIA, interviews etc… That is the job of an opposition movement/political minority: “Create debate and awareness amongst the people through constructive criticism and with the provision of FACTS, not heresay and personal opinions.” How can I believe the ramblings of a man on the street, who has alienated himself from the process and consequently is privy to NO FACTS. The UWP have lost the electoral majority, but not the right to be a part of the process. That is where they have gone wrong. The people’s parliament should have been used as a medium to bring to light their disagreement with current issues debated in parliament. But to do that, they must first be sworn in and attend the sessions. Please sir, step up and be a part of the process. The process of government in Dominica is far from transparent and MUST be fixed from WITHIN.
Mr James you are useless. Parliament serves the people of Dominica not your pathetic UWP
Yes Yes Yes!!!!!!!!!! Take them out and keep them out at any cost!!!!!!!!
It is rather amazing that a person who at the end of her political life and contribution to her country could so redirect this nation. And even after this person has gone to the great beyond, their will is being carried out and adhere to in the strictest way..
Food For the brains of those who have !!!!!!!!!!!!
who has bills to pay?????????
who has children to feed????????
who has a futur to build ???????
who wants a better job????????
Well i do not know who are those seeking answers for the above questions !!!!!!!!!!
BUT
BUT I know with a great level of assurance that
Our Grand mother who has since left us here, inspite of how she loved us, cannot do anything more for us. She cannot hear our cries, she cannot effect changes for us no more, she cannot help us anymore “except if she would rise from the great beyond “” ???????
Am just left to wonder what our MAMO would have said to us in 2009????
I hope when she reads (DNO) she will be able to give us an honest insight of her perspective on things here but not any directives ……
untill such time rest in peace our dear loved MAMo
Edison and the uwp should be ashame of themselves.Edison James should not forget all the persons he victimised while in government.some of these persons had to flea the country and are contributing to the development of foreign countries rather fhan their homeland.Edison and the uwp are the biggest threat to democracy in Dominica.The elected member for salisbury must not follow those recycle members of the uwp.Sprags should go to parliament and make his contribution.there is nothing to be gained by staying out of parliament.This decision to stay out of parliament is the mqst backward political decision ever taken by any politcal party in Dominica.PM skerrit should go ahead and prepare for byelections as set out in the constitution.
Well Stay Tuned
Since you have it so well down packed, maybe you should share your intelligence with the UWP so that they can WIN the upcoming elections???
And maybe you should have offered your highly analytical skill to help them win the last, Or did they lose so badly because of them?
At least one or two more seats if they had been more in tune? And to be a bit more convincing? And to put out the manifesto on time, and as organised at least as that of the DFP?
And to have been ready for the past 10 to 15 years with the people’s business other than feeding our ears only with allegations? They were out of tune, weren’t they?
And maybe you would admit that there is corruption in almost every government in one way or the other.. regional and international…
And maybe you would also realise that it’s that same know it all, stupid, sick in the head Dominicans attitude that you express that has the UWP in the situation it is in today…
After all… it’s the vote of those same dumbass Dominicans that the UWP NEEDS in order to win the elections. So keep on criticizing and insulting the Dummy in the Cans who have the power of the vote.
Continue my dear, we stupid dummies can read one or two lines. And we dummies know how to draw an X. Just continue, oh yes, we are well in tune.
I don’t understand why the U.W.P are complaining, I still don’t know what their policies are. What would they have done better than Labour during this time?
He accused government of using parliament to score political points. That is where the political game is meant to be played.
“…parliament over the years has become a wishy-washy useless organization as far as representation by the Opposition is concerned”
“They have made the parliament useless… if you look at how things have gone on over the years, there is little that was achieved by the Opposition in the Parliament,” James added.”
What an indictment of his and his party’s performance. Did he mean to say this, I’m not sure he understands what he was saying.
What work have the U.W.P done outside parliament? Has this improved anything for the people they represent?
It looks like the opposition has become useless and is wondering lost without any leader to give them direction.
The former PM stated: “James told a press conference last week that over the years, parliament had not served in the best interest of the Opposition”
Mr. James – with all due respect to you and your inept party – Parliament has to serve the best interest of the Dominican people … NOT the best interest of the Opposition.
The Opposition suppose to serve in Parliament – so as to make it effective in serving the best interest of the Dominican people.
You and the UWP are now, currently in the process of failing the Dominican people’s interest by FAILING to serve in Parliament – so that Parliament could serve its calling – the best interest of the Dominican PEOPLE.
YOUR ego and selfish nature seems to make you think that the Opposition party’s interest is greater than the Dominican people’s interest – that is the very reason why by-elections should be called for the seats held by UWP.
Mr. James – with all due respect to your previous service to Dominica – you need to grow up, and, grow up FAST!
That would be in the interest of the Dominican people and their Parliament!
Well Edison you have now confirmed what the majority of Dominicans suspected: ” UWP was useless in government and even more useless as the official opposition”. It’s now time to step aside and allow the ‘Freedom Party’ to play the role of the main opposition. Good riddance.
I sometimes wonder if this is the same Edison James who had said “I am on stage, I am in charge” now he whining like a week old pup who has lost its mother and is under a heavy shower. The bad thing is he is dying of LOPS (his creation) and cannot find a cure. I am only sorry that he is dragging Ron and Spaggs to his political grave with him. Thank God Skerrit too busy using his time to find innovative ideas like Yes We Care, and Bus Fare Payment ETC,ETC,ETC for the people of Dominica for him to take on Edison.
I just can’t stop laughing when I read DNO comments under UWP news items.
What kinda language do we need to use again to tell 100% Dominican that the people who voted for the UWP are all saying “DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THIS ILLEGAL PARLIAMENT”? Which UWP Supporter have you heard call the radio, went to the newspaper or television to complain about the boycott? lol….mind allu damn business….and go get some adult education classes. “The media is not a place to criticize”..what a dumb statement…when stuff is said in parliament..where do you hear it right after…not in the same media?…lol…
This dull BLADE needs to sharpen. Mr. James said they have been unable to get things done in parliament because of the attitude of the government said who has majority in the house. He made mention of the motion to work together towards building an international airport, what happened? They laughed… Whose fault is that? HUH?
PIPER has not come to the realization that if this matter was such a dead horse it would not be going to court in two days time. If it was a dead horse, when the PM was questioned about it, he would have called it a dead horse and not say that it is a matter before the court that he does not wish to comment on since we are all awaiting the decision. Wise up for your own good.
The place that ANONYMOUS got that information from seems to be really anonymous for real. Which “same thing” that happened during the time of UWP? Are you speaking based on solid facts or just off your rear? lol…keep hummering the readers….
LOST seems to be very lost…lol. Answer a few questions for us. Name all the projects which for which ground was broken towards the end of uwp’s tenure. Name all the projects to your knowledge were completed from 1995-2000. Name any of the projects where you claim “Nothing materialized”. Don’t disappoint the readers. Raise the bar. Let’s discuss. Try to sound a little sensible.
WHAT GOES AROUND is just laughable. I mean how can anyone compare the allegations against the DLP to any other government in the eastern Caribbean???far less for uwp….lol…allu people sick in allu head boss…awah…I fraid Dominicans boy.
I wonder if some of allu actually know what allu saying, far less to understand or believe in what allu saying….poor Dominica and the level of intelligence of some of its people….
Come along and back STAY TUNED…
But remember I said STAY TUNED…lol
Mr Skerrit an the Labour party is developing the island nicely but someone needs to remind him that he has to answer to the people !!!!
mr james just accept the defeat… it wasnt a fair 1 but we should just stand now. we in salisbury.marigot and roseau central will be patiently waitin on the bi-elections.. dominicans to foolish. I wonder if they know about ONE PARTY STATES.. they should start readin up on one party states..
Man Politics are for people who understands the whole big picture and have big dreams.
It is also goes hand in hand with the actual wish of people (Democracy).
Forbes Burham, the once president of Guyana said, “It’ s take a fool to have power and loose it”
Edison James should be very ashamed to even show his face in public much less to make such useless comments. This man has time and time again been rejected by the electorate and will stop at nothing to regain leadership of the UWP but he will NEVER be Prime Minister again and soon he may no longer be a parl rep.
It’s amazing how, some 2 to 3 elections later, the UWP is grappling to find it’s way up.
Isnt it the UWP that initiated the trend of ‘do as you will’ politics… (Earl was the best, boy he had kicks).
The UWP was voted out and since then has not caught itself, largely due to Edison’s haughty and arrogant attitude that most Dominicans found distasteful, bred division internally (in the party) and now undermines the leadership of Ron Green.
Now, the UWP has all reason to make valid points about these issues because, oh yes, they know about them too too well. Been there done that.
Anyways, I wish them the best and pray that they do fix what they started. Because they only did harm to the country and now are unable to convince the people that they are a viable alternative to the DLP.
Sadly though, i the voter dont see much difference between the allegations made against the DLP administration and how UWP behaved during its 1995-2000 term, so they’ve got a hell lot of convincing to do.
HIS OWN WORDS – Edison James
“… if you look at how things have gone on over the years, there is little that was achieved by the Opposition in the Parliament,”.
Now if you look back at how much was accomplished when he was head of state, the same level of progress was realized. If I recall, towards the end of his tenure, in a desperate attempt to fool the masses Mr. James embarked on “BREAKING GROUND” on numerous projects. The result? – Nothing materialized!
The Dominican electorate is not as fickle as you make them out to be, Mr. James. So stop your belly – aching and at least try to maintain some form of decorum so that you might regain respect as a viable candidate to lead the people at the next general elections.
when you were in government, the same thing happened yet the then opposition, still came to represent the people who placed their confidence in them so don’t you think you should do the same Mr. James? What goes around comes around and we should always remember that cause we seems to see things differently when the tables are turned
yes and we need an international airport sir now!
what dat making me happy..skerrit not even checking all u and all u nonsense ..choops….choops..choops
The quicker the UWP realises they lost the last elections and focus on the next one, they better their chances will be. Only God knows why they keep flogging that dead horse.
It’s over, move on.
what do you mean by wishy -washy ?????……………………………….. whose fault is it that you all did little work over the years?… so i guess that’s why you all are in full support of the peoples parliament….
Accept defeat and start building a strong opposition, go to the house and represent the people who voted you all, the media is not the place to criticize!