President of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) Edison James has responded to those calling on the party to resume participation in the House of Assembly, insisting the party is “making a point” by staying out.
Speaking on radio Tuesday night, James dismissed suggestions that his party’s decision may be having a negative impact on supporters and others in society, as the UWP is not making use of its seat in Parliament to debate on crucial matters.
He said anyone who wants the UWP to return to parliamentary sessions as an active group, must consider the issues that concern the UWP including the much talked about electoral reform.
“Are you comfortable that since 2005 we have been raising the issue of electoral reform?” James questioned.
He responded also to claims made by Neva Edwards, former speaker of the House of Assembly, who stated that she has told Opposition Leader Hector John about the need for his party to give full participation in the House.
But according to James, Edwards had not held discussions with John on the matter and she missed the opportunity to sit and discuss with John the basis for the UWP’s decision to form its own parliament instead of sitting in the House of Assembly.
Making a POINT
P: POOR, PATHETIC, PRESUMPTUOUS PREDATORS
O: OBNOXIOUS, OBLIVIOUS,OFFENSIVE ORATORS
I: INSOLENT, INDOLENT, INEFFECTIVE INCITERS
N: NEGATIVE, NOSY, NEGLECTED NEGROIDS
T: TALKATIVE, TEMPER-TANTRUMS, TATTLE TALES
Dis man maybe can fool the people of Marigot and others in his Party but he can’t get the wool over my eyes. It’s plain to see UWP(United notWorking Party) are not up to the job so this is their sorry excuse to stay away from the House that the people eleceted them to serve. My question is do you catch bees with Honey or Lime????..People of Dominica beware of wolves in sheep clothing. If they protesting why they don’t forfiet their salaries and other benefits. Or even better use it to help the people they claim to be defending…
But Hon James, Election Reform should apply to all parties…all of you in politics!
Based on the Elections Act Chapter 2:01, sections (55) and (56), all political parties could be accused of “treating” and “bribery” given the way food, drinks and entertainment are used in pre-election day meetings and campaigns, and the appointments that are made to key positions after an election.
Please stop the finger pointing and report to Parliament to at least let the record and history show what your positions were on key matters that concerned the affairs of the State. Fortunate for MPs, the Hansard is referred to when necessary (compared to private sector Minutes). Should something go terribly wrong with a decision that you opposed, at least Dominicans would know you did your best and history would vindicate you.
The stance that you all have chosen seems like a hunger strike…what a way to make a point!
Making a point? Which is what? This guy must be loosing his bearings.
By Mr. James going back into the house makes him look like, he does not stand up for what
he believes. Going back does not make a difference, so he might as well stay out. A PM (mr. James) can not do all in 2yrs.
Thats why I love the Hiatians they stand up for what they believe even if it takes yrs. And one supports the other. Dominicans love you today hate you tomorrow so you never know where you stand.
Wasn’t uwp in power for two terms? Why didn’t they seek electoral reform then? I do not get the boycotting parliament thing at all. It is absolutely nonesensical. That should actually be illegal to do. But hey! I guess this is Dominica. I get everything they are saying but they go about everything the wrong way.
Once business people and normal citizens make more valid points, better arguments and put more pressure on gov than the opposition then, the opposition’s policies are terribly off. Apart from skerrit, what roadmap for Dominica have they showed? If skerrit was to go tomorrow, which is possible because of the dual citizenship case, what will they have to talk about next?
Will they go to parliament then? Will they attack the next pm? Or maybe they might try to introduce policies? What if skerrit leaves and an election is called? Labour is still clearly the most favored. They will win again and what then? Over a year of no policies. Not one move to try uplifting he country.
Yet they get paid as opposition. That’s unheard of
UWP was in power for a fraction of a term (poor guys) The decision to reform the electoral machine was done and signed into law under the DLP administration. The refusal to impliment the law was at the behest of Tony astaphan.
We need to stop being bias and deal with matters reasonably. The old saying ” you cant be wrong and strong must apply to politicians particularly those in power.
While I disagree with the conduct of the UWP I must also admit that the call for electoral reform must not be deliberately discarded just because the UWP is asking
when i was younger i thought they served two terms. and i am not here to be biased. i stated my opinion. i dont dabble in politics. but this is getting pathetic.
This is sooo very sad that good reasoning has escaped these people, Mr. James, with the boycott of the parliament should come a boycott of your salaries. What happen the same dictatorial situation that you claim to be running from is the same one that you are forcing onto your supporters. You hate a parliament with a large majority, so you boycott it to form a parliament where you are the sole voice. It is tough to accept that in the 21st century Dominica is so bankrupt of political ideas that the best thing that can happen, is to stay out of parliament, yet collect the pay, Sir not only the parro’s who break into stores and the like are thieves, if you accept pay for work that you are required to do, and refuse to do under some false pretence of making some silly point, you are stealing from the people of Dominica, not the people who named you Hero. And for the record, I believe that you deserve the Hero of Marigot award, I just now feel that time has passed you by, and it would be nice to bow out if your dignity before it erodes any further, and when you are leaving, take Ron Green with you, and Maybe Just Maybe, the young men in there will have the gumption to come up with better ideas for a fledgling party.
To New Yorker and Observer, With my experience in the public service, i have never seen any administration completed or have done all what they have intended to do. lets give credit to where it is due, the official opposition and other conscious Dominican saw what went on for elections 2005 and 2009, with OAS observers on the ground they were able to observe activities on polling day documented in their report, among the many recommendations was electoral reform, that too was documented in the CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER REPORT. Dont you as well as the official opposition conscious of what went on do have a ligitimate claim to ask for electoral reform? If you are following events in the country reading the news papers, listening to news on all radio stations and the talk shows would be aware of the exchange of emails between Mr Anthony Astaphan senior counsel and the Hon. Prime minister refer to the introduction of Voter ID cards as madness, as a result Richard Charles was replaced by another Labour Party hench man Alick Lawrence to prevent the so called madness od voter id cards, Tell me if from the primary source the electoral commission the opposition is encountering problems of electoral reform how best can the opposition make its concern be know to the attention of all Dominicans, the result have to be on the ground among its people in the villages etc, the government because of its wide margin and support from the speaker will get nowhere with its struggles and we living in dominica know that to be a fact, so my good friends if you expect this government to do everything that is expected of it even if they will be in office for fourty or fifty years as they say everything that needs to be done in Dominica will never be done by no administration
UWP, yours actions leave a lot to be desired. DLP will do what-ever they want to do, because you are missing-in-action. Losers…
This I have to agree with we all know that their are a lot of things that are wrong in DOMINICA as we speak the largest of them all is Skerrit acting as Prime minister when he broke the law and we have been waiting for years for the decision from the Court one that seems as if the Judge is afraid to make for fair of looking his position and who is afraid of Tony Ass ———– .
As for the UWP we know that you are doing good by taking a stand but Mr.James use your head you arwe allowing Skerrit to win every time you all stay out of the House it is good for him because his supporters bash you all and the reason I said so remember when a treat was released someone informed you that a plot was discovered to kill you remember what Skerrit did he ordered his security mininster to start an investigation and what did he say you a very important to his party DLP you remember that statement we all couldnt understand why he had said so now we do so it is time to do something constructive that will help to move the ISLAND forward you are the OPPOSITION party and we need you all in there regardless of your numbers…,
I would suggest you m,ake your way to the HOUSE hold your heads high object when it is necessary but let them know that you all are not going anywhere you are their as the thorn in their side everyday press for electortal reform fight your cases in the house regardless what the SPEAKER say push for cameras in the HOUSE so the poeple of DOMINICA can see how men/women conduct themselves in session once that come to bear you will start to see changes ion the ISLAND the talk shows alone cannot bring the message out it is your resposibility to keeping standing for JUSTICE.
Keep on the struggle for your principles. Electorial reform has been the cry of the U.W.P.
The labour government has ignored their pleas. They have a right to protest. Stand Up!
Don’t Give Up!!
Politics is something else, boy.
All the things that they are so hell bent on pressuring the DLP to do were needed between 1995 and 2000, WHEN THEY WERE IN OFFICE. So why did they not do them, including the IPO Commission?
Whatever support I was giving them has totally vanished, bunch of power-hungry fools.
OK PLAY BOY YOU DARN LIE U NEVER SUPPORTERD THEM ELLSE YOU WOULD NOT USE THAT TERM TO DESCRIBE THE. NOW LET ME SAY THAT. I SUPORTED THEM AND I AM PISSED BY THIS CRAP. YES I AM A SUPPORTER BUT TRUST ME I DONT LIKE WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING ONE BIT.
Mr James, you have made your point. Now get back in the house and look after the business of the people. Staying out indefinitely is not going to make your point any stronger.
He looks confused..atleast that face is better than the blue-vex face he normally has
Edison james is a joker and he need to step away from politics. He was in power once and did not call for electoral reform so why is he doing it now.
I thought the UWP was in power some time ago. So what they are asking the DLP to do why wasn’t it done when they were in power? This party is just a 3 headed MONSTER that don’t care about the people that voted for them. I am from marigot and i am ashame to say it. They could have a dog going up against James and i will vote for the dog. What voter reform you want when u was the PM of da not to long ago. You just need an excuse to display your stupidity. Skerrit might be bad but he still go and try and help Dominica. You seat in marigot and always on a cellphone with another idot called John. God help u guys
bahahahahahah!
How can one oppose anything outside of the house, I think these guys re wasting time. they should give up their seats if they no longer want to represent the people who voted for them. it will be two years in the next few months and they still cannot accept the fact tat they were soundly defeated at the polls. They should start planning for the next general election to see if Dominicians will put teem back in power, ten they can move the country forward , but until then accept their defeat and go to he House to oppose since this what they were elected for. By the way I AM NOT A LABOURITE, but I am DOMINICAN to the bone even I am not presently residing at home.
you’re right mister james…you are making a point…the point that you guys cannot and will not accept defeat!!! what a bunch of jokers!!!
Point of no RETURN.
EDISON AND OTHER SO ATTEND THE SESSIONS, BECAUSE NOT DOING SO GETTING THEIR
SUPPORTERS UPSET AT THEM. THEY GO TO PARLIMENT BRING STRONG POINTS AND
BE A LEADER FOR THEIR VOTERS
GET DOWN FROM THE HIGH HORSE
Look jokers.
Mr. James say they “making a point” he haha haha hehehe hehehehe.
Dummy, what is the point you making?
They are making a point of “no return” Dah!
And what is “The Point” Mr. James? The UWP had a chance to implement election reform when you were PM. Why didn’t you tackle the issue of election reform then. I guess it did not affect you then. Mr. James, you are very brilliant man and I can say that after spending some time with you when you were the PM. Take your bulls/boys(literally cause there are a few at the helm of the UWP right now), and tell them the point has been made. You want change, you must effect change.
You guys remind me of the ‘ole days’ in the park when young boys will try to mess up a little game by saying, “I not playing non,” if they didn’t get on the right team. Let’s change that attitude and get in the game and play.
One Love Dominicans
Mr James,
Don’t you think that the people have gotten your point by now? From December 2009 to April 2011, if it takes that long to make a point as the opposition party, what does that say about your ability to govern?
I am afraid that the behaviour of the opposition at best seems puerile, How effective is your protest? It has been ongoing for 16 months, I would think that it has gone on long enough for your party to reassess the results of the protest.
The only loosers in this madness are the people who are starved of effective representation from the folks who they elected to represent their interest in parliament.
YOU GUYS ARE BIG JOKERS YOU ALL ARE JUST MAKING
THE DLP STRONGER.
REPRESENT THE PEOPLE THAT VOTE YOU IN POWER
LOOK LIKE WE JUST WAISTED OUR VOTE.
WE DO LOVE UWP BUT ITS TIME FOR EDISON JAMES
RON GREEN AND NORRIS PREVOST TO TAKE A BACK SEAT
AND GROOM SOME YOUNGER GENERATION TO TAKE OVER
THATS THE WAY I SEE IT.PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT.
Mr. James,
The approach of UWP is vey poor and you are not helping your party. If you really love Dominica and UWP, you should resign and make way for a younger and unblemished representative from Marigot. As long as you continue to be on the face of UWP, it is a turnoff. Indeed, you are among the best and most intelligent politicians in the region, but its the people, and only the people who determines whether you and your party will form government. And the rea;ity is that your time has passed in Dominica………….you are a turn–off, you are not liked!!!!!!!
Please Mr. James, step down!!!! and as for UWP…………you are so lame!!! I hope a new party is formed, because your opposition strategy is feable!
What hyprocracy! what contradiction! there will never be anyone suitable for the likes of you.
Observer wrote ” Indeed, you are among the best and most intelligent politicians in the region”….where and what region is this? Oh I forgot, Marigot is a Region.
Boy you have nuff jokes
check the man’s face when making the statement
check the man’s face