Outgoing Prime Minister and leader of the St. Kitts Labour Party, Denzil Douglas, has conceded defeat in that island’s general election held on Monday.
Douglas was seeking his fifth consecutive win but his party won only three of the 11 parliamentary seats.
The defeat ended the St. Kitts Labour Party’s 20-year reign over the island.
“I wish our newly elected government well,” said Douglas, who became prime minister in 1995.
The Opposition Alliance, Team Unity, won seven seats, while the Nevis Reformation Party won one seat.
Meanwhile supporters of the Unity Party took to the streets on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate their victory.
“Today is a great day! Team Unity has won the general election,” Timothy Harris, the prime minister-elect, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Team Unity alliance consists of the People’s Action Movement, the Concerned Citizens Movement and the People’s Labour party.
Elections Supervisor, Wingrove George, came under heavy fire on Tuesday after he suspended reporting of partial results.
This prompted calls from Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and other observers for ballot counting to be expedited.
Political leaders from other regional nations said George’s office needed to hurry up and deliver the results, which had been expected early on Tuesday since St. Kitts and Nevis has only about 36,000 registered voters, according to AP.
“The region’s reputation for democracy and for free and fair elections will be under threat as long as this issue in St. Kitts and Nevis remains unresolved,” Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had said in a statement.
AP said that George had told state-owned radio and TV station ZIZ that some candidates were contesting preliminary results, slowing an official announcement from his office.
“We don’t want to hurriedly make decisions and determinations that we can’t recall,” AP quoted George as saying.
It’s as easy as 1,2,3. Next election UWP must organize a Team Unity with the 3 opposition parties namely, Freedom, Pappy Baptiste and Para Riviere. They might have a better chance.
Twenty years in power was a very long time. I hope the new government will not disappoint the people. It will not be long when they will know and experience their true colors. Hope DNO will keep us informed.
While we give well deserved kudos to the people of St Kitts and Nevis for showing Dominicans the importance of preserving democracy ahead of the fast cash ($20.00) Skerrit giving, we must not forget the real heroes in the St Kitts election. First hero is Sam Condor Jan. 2013 Here is part of resignation letter: “The recent developments pertaining to issues of good governance and Constitutional integrity have brought me to the point where I feel constrained to tender my resignation as a Member of Cabinet, with immediate effect.” The 2nd hero is Dr. Timothy Harris, who was a former member of the St. Kitts Nevis Labor party from 1993 and won his seat in all elections from 1995-2010, and served the country with distinction in every field in which he was given the opportunity to serve, until Jan 2013, when he was fired by PM Douglas because he stood for the people when their democracy was in trouble. They showed what real statesmanship is. If only such men existed in the DLP
any one who wants to gauge the characteristics , and intellectual capacity of some of the thousands who vote for labour just monitor the comments of FAST N FURIOUS. Is these ignorant people who cannot even recognize what the outgoing pm in st kitts tried to do that selected our government in Dominica
Dont think that what happened in st kitts will happen in dominica. mr skerrit will be pm till 2055 because every 3 months we hear about some corrupt activity of this goverment but once people get their plywood, their laptop , their destra and their carimi they say laba kah twavay and proclaim their love for their pm. so every election dominicans will sit by witness all the ‘racketeering’, planes loads of overseas voters and take no action
my boss passage was paid for.so we must talk about what we know
u all have to wait for 5+5+5 more yr for uwp to come in power
dlp was fed up of being in power for twenty years so they just handed it over on a plate,the same could happen here except you must get an opposition leader and not a street fighter
where’s your tablet? The diaspora got a round trip ticket and one thousand US dollars for their vote, what did u get? St kitts people went home to vote, but they bought their own ticket and they did not get paid.its their LOVE for their country and its development and the families they left behind, that made them do the right thing.St kitts you are blessed island.
Did you all see the plane loads of people from Miami and the other places with people wearing their bright yellow who went home to vote for team unity ?. Maybe we would have experienced a similar earthquake if our leaders had encouraged our diasporan to come home to vote. Now we have to wait for a whole five years for our tsunami.
The difference is st kitts citizens work and are productive, while dominican wait for the crumbs of skerrit table, they are more interested in begging than working, UWP didn’t promise handout. CONGRATS ST KITTS, you are some powerful people, you placed love for your country ahead of politicians.Im proud of you.
Dominica’s situation regarding the absence of FREE and FAIR elections, No electoral Reforms, no cleaning of bloated Voters’ List, no regard for the Laws, Bribery,, must be more widely disseminated to the region and the whole world. We are in dire straits.
Only the people will force the Skerritt DLP Govt. to make those necessary changes. Expect no DLP changes to the electoral process. People all over have fought for their Rights. Govt in dictatorship clothing will not give you any RIGHTS.
We have no PRIVY Council to go to. That block. So Govt could get away with all kinds of illegalities just like that. Remember the Courts have thrown out bribery although evidence available. Elections in Dominica will never be FREE and FAIR under Skerritt’s DLP Govt. The Electoral Commission ensures that. The Cabal is benefiting Big Time.
The region’s Leaders must know and say No to that blatant suppression of our democratic way of life. It will get worse. Stand up…
The UWP do bring in persons to vote, just on a smaller scale as they did not have the funds to do otherwise.
I have friends from St.kitts they traveled to vote in their home land some told me they’ll be casting their vote to the opposition party because the opposition party has a strong appealing message, and the opposition party won, the u w p party should try to convince diaspora voters instead of querreling
good news very happy for the people
At least Prime Minister Douglas stood up like a man and accepted defeat that “The People” of St Kitts spoke and congratulated the other party over its win; but what do we see here(Dominica) with the loosing party (UWP)? It’s like the elections are not over and still campaigning.
@ Fast N Furious:
That a terse “I wish the new government well” concession issued more than thirty hours after a poll by a man who was in office for twenty plus years and who allegedly tried all kinds of “makakwee” conceivable to hold on to power, pre and post elections, is your idea of standing up ” like a man” speaks volumes on your ideas on masculinity. Is that how real men behave nowadays?
What is thirty hours if that is the amount of time? How many hours have passed since 2000? Have you ever heard a concession speech from the UWP in Dominica? How about Congratulating the DLP and the Government of Dominica since the UWP lost 4 consecutive occasions? We are still waiting.
change for what or to what we must be careful …….. the voice of the ppl is the voice of God so when God is ready the ppl must obey his will
good things comes with time
Could have happen in Dominica but the people choose to TAKE THE HIGH ROAD because of FEAR. So I say good for you St. Kitts. You are leading the way to a better future for yourself and the rest of the region. CONGRATULATIONS TO PEOPLE POWER.
HA HA, You so right. The people of DOMINICA feared the state our country would had become if UWP had won the election. Not even salt we would be able to suck and everyone would be walking with their hands on their head.
@ Fast and Furious
We are already walking with our hands on our head and not being able to comfortably buy salt and other basic commodities but you’re so blinded by partisan politics that you just can’t see that.
I would like to think that if Denzil had allowed the “no Confidence Vote” against him two years ago, he would have stood a better chance at the elections. Just thinking. Don’t crucify me please.
“The region’s reputation for democracy and for free and fair elections will be under threat as long as this issue in St. Kitts and Nevis remains unresolved,” Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had said in a statement
Madam Prime Minister Bissessar, are you really serious? Are you not following News from Dominica? The region’s reputation for democracy and for free and fair elections have been under threat since 2005, when Skerrit became PM. You guys better keep a close eye on Dominica because the very same things that occurred in St. Kitts and Nevis yesterday have been the pattern in Dominica for many years now and far worse than what took place in SKN yesterday.
Thes at.ppl who wants development… Work hard for their money unlike we Dominicans some of us like to beggg
Did you see the Manifesto of the Unity Party of St Kitts and Nevis? DA’s Red Clinic is nowhere close to that.
The power of the real earthquake was felt in Dominica but we let them steal it. But don’t worry, don’t panic because in less than 3 years Dominica will feel the effect and see the damage of a mighty political earthquake and hurricane that will shake Dominica. This evil Skerrit administration will not last 3 years!. This thing MUST FALL!!! I can feel it it, see it, hear it and know it. Just time will tell. By the way, it will not be a repeat of 1979 but an earthquake that will be from within. Mark my words folks!!!
It would be remiss of me not to mention the fact that the leader of the opposition of Team Dominica was a paid political campaign consultant/strategist for the Denzel Douglas Labor Party Government who just lost the elections in St. Kitts. It was reported that The St. Kitts Labour Party chartered several planes to transport nationals from overseas to participate in their national voting franchise. My question to the opposition leader is, Is it ok to support the Denzel Douglas Labour Party strategy on one hand and on other hand vilify Roosevelt Skerritt for the very same political strategy? I guess when it concerns making cheddar… money talks and BS walks. Such hypocrisy – another example of your “Truth to Power” characteristics.
The past is the past.If you keep looking or going back to the past you wont move on. What you are talking about is years old. If you are telling the truth , he did not do it this time .So whats your point. Move on.
It has just been confirmed that that the people of St. Kitts/Nevis are far more politically mature and intelligent than their counterparts in Dominica.
By turning their backs on a political party that had become entrenched and exhibiting signs of arrogance and indifference to the people’s concerns and priorities, the people of St. Kitts and Nevis have demonstrated to Dominicans how to reassert their control over their destiny and to send a clear message that the people’s business takes precedence over the ambitions of professional politicians.
Unfortunately, Dominican voters on December 8 of last year failed to show the political maturity that was expected of them and as a consequence, continue to live under the yoke of a corrupt regime that has lasted long past its experation date.
Truth be told, the Skerrit regime is visibly bankrupt and have nothing left to offer except more corruption and policy paralysis. Nothing is likely to get done in this undeserved new term.
The very clear lesson. The people of St. Kitts followed the law. they sought out their rights where it matters in the hallowed courts of justice and at the polls. Here in Dominica we want to assert “our rights’ not in the court but by agitating for boots on the ground in and illegal manner and doing every thing possible to aggravate the state’s law enforcement apparatus into over reaction. That is the very clear difference. The people of St. Kitts came out on top. The former Prime minister gracefully bowed out amidst I am sure much political pain and grief, for himself and party, he tried everything possible to stay in power. He has finally recognized that the people of St.Kitts has spoken. They no longer need him. In Dominica one party (UWP) got 17,000 votes. The other party (DLP) got 24,000 votes a difference of 7000 votes. Did the DLP bring in 7,000 plus voters to deny the UWP victory? Is that our argument? When did these people come in and where did they stay? Give me a break.
Exactly Observer. Maybe the Opposition in St. Kitts and Nevis can lead the country, we still have to wait and see a three party government it is too early to see what will happen. We xan congratulate the new government. And if we believe Dominicans cam behave like the twin islands; we are awaiting since 2000 for and clear acceptance speech of defeat and acknowledgement that we have government elected by the people a
Its first past the post in each constituency. If you need 100 votes in a constituency that is all it takes. The DLP targeted LaPlaine, Castle Bruce, GFond, Roseau Valley and St Joe. Small constituencies like these only need a couple hundred di aspora votes to tilt them in their favour.
Unity Party… They cut short to name their party United Workers Party, I guess soon we gonna have a new Party to be name Unity Party with new faces good ideas and new vision for our country.
This is the beginning of the fall of these corrupt LABOUR PARTIES in the region. These parties have amalgamated and changed the political landscape from FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS to CORRUPTION AND STEALING OF ELECTIONS …..HOWEVER THE DAYS OF ALL CORRUPT TYRANTS MUST COME TO AN END ONE DAY.!!!!!
Elections Supervisor, Wingrove George, came under heavy fire on Tuesday after he suspended reporting of partial results.
The actions of Wingrove George are so similar to that of his counterpart in Dominica especially during the recount at Grand fond.
This same political earthquake also shook Dominica in December 2014 but you, with Dominica being the official island with the most amount of DOMIES and hungry people, we chose red clinic over national development. Dominicans are too damn blind and wicked
Very smart sentiments indeed, those Dummies in Dominica, rather ensure that Roosevelt, and the other culprits in his party have bread to eat while the grovel on their belly to find food to eat. I have some dumb family in Wesley who prefer Labor Party, than their dumb self oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah: I told one of them not to vote for any Labor Party, candidate, nevertheless, someone told me she was one of the first at the poles, however what they promised her she has yet to receive, for fifteen years they have made her the same promises, yet her eye is closed to reality. One of my nieces died as a result of malpractice at PM hospital, I offered her mother all the money she need to retain an attorney to sue the government and the hospital, she like labor so much, she went to Wesley and told people I want to sue de government!
Bravo St Kitts! A wise man once said politicians and diapers should be changed frequently all for the same reason. For more than two years the outgoing PM found very creative ways to circumvent a motion of no confidence that would have meant the end of his rule. People power is about having a strategy to fight and be triumphant against very tough adversaries who control the bureaucracy, police, electoral office, and media, and politicians who become so addicted to power they will do anything to hang on. Congratulations to the new PM. I am keeping hope alive.
Bravo St.kitts! A wise man once said politicians and diapers should be changed frequently all for the same reason. For more than two years the outgoing PM found creative ways to circumvent a motion of no confidence against his government But people power is about having a strategy to fight and be triumphant against some very tough adversaries who control the police, electoral office, bureaucracy and the media; a strategy to fight against politicians who become so addicted to power they will do anything to hang on. Everything with a beginning will have an end. Congratulations to the new PM. I am keeping hope alive.
When fair and free elections are held, the result is always fair, and Denzil attitude suggest the St. Kitts election went free without corruption and was fair. I suppose votes were not bought, and the Dominica contingent, which hope to go to St. Kitts to vote illegally, most probably did not get the free ticket, money, building, materials, and food they expect abandoned their illegal dream.
A prime minister, or dictator who steals, or buy’s elections can never function efficiently, because uneasy is the head which worry about an uprising, and wonders how long will they survive before their world turn upside down; such burning of the brain makes one sick, a stressful life is not worth living, no amount of political power can bring peace of mind when that power was not honestly gained. Denzil is a happy man today, as the people of St. Kitts saw it fit to fire him in an effort to change the status quo.
The writing was on the wall. A clarion call for Dominica too. Max. two consecutive terms of office for a country’s leader is healthy and way to go. If not, they become too comfortable and think they own the place.
Good! Great! One of skerrit’s cabal and dictator in making has gone, skeritt and his illegal labor party government next to go, i’m ready to remove them from holding power for five years, people get ready for the struggle!
That’s not a political earthquake. To me it was expected because, of the 6 seats the labour party had from 2010, 2 of the ministers had left the party hence they were left with 4 seats. The opposition parties combined had 7 seats put together. So they formed a coalition and had the same effect from before. So all this is fete acommpli.
Comgrats to the Team Unity.
Wow wow wow!!
I am soooo excited for St Kitts. The people of St Kitts have taught Dominicans a sound lesson.
Skerrit watch out! Next election is your turn to march out!!!
Lennox please do your work!!!
Disgruntled Labourite.
Your problem, like mine is not Skerrit, it is the SICK civil servants who either do not do their work or treat people like us with indifference. After their children’s Tuition fees have been paid and refunds received on their airfares, we are still subjected to calling everyday to find out if there was any progress on payments for our children, only to be told over and over that there are no funds available.
Mya, the buck stops at Skerrit’s desk, period! He is the leader of a country of only 70,000. He wants all the credit but none of the criticism? You must lead by example and if your civil servants are not performing as they should, after more than ten years at the helm that is a reflection on you. Hire the right people, fire the wrong ones. Skerrit has visions of himself as the grand vizier of the Caribbean, making big noise about getting Martinique into the OECS, he even put himself on a poster with Obama, so cheap and embarrassing! I really wish he would fix the problems at home first.
Change is always good, its unfortunate we did not experience it in DA