Unity leader of the sole opposition party to contest the upcoming December 6 general elections, Carlos Charles has given his assurance to the nation that if elected into office, he will be a servant to the people of Dominica.
Charles made his remarks when Team Unity Dominica (TUD) formally introduced to the public to its five candidates who will run in the upcoming snap elections.
“I appear here to remind us that politicians are servants, not masters,” he said. “I present myself as your servant and I pledge to stand by and with you.”
“ I don’t claim to have all the answers to all problems, but I am willing to work with you on solutions. As unity leader my main task is to help lead the spirit of unity, that has eluded the players in the opposition fraternity for the past couple of decades,” Charles added.
In a recent study his team performed, he revealed that almost 50% of the Dominican population felt generally unenthusiastic about casting a ballot in this election.
The unity leader, however, cautions that boycotting the election would mean the end of Dominica’s democracy.
Charles underlined that voting is the most important form of participation in any democracy.
“Our government could descend into authoritarian, dictatorial tyranny if individuals of good conscience don’t vote.”
He gave the nation his word that he and his team will lead a “clean and issue-oriented campaign.”
“So please forgive us if we do not respond or dwell on the failed ideas from the past. It is time to build our nation with a strong and untied political collision.”
With agriculture being a primary concern for the movement, the Marigot candidate stated that if elected, he will campaign for repair of the feeder road in his area, which he feels will revive the industry.
His other aims include fostering and developing Marigot’s fishing industry and securing the completion of the promised healthcare facility for the local populace.
Clivian Ian Rolle, the candidate for TUD in the St. Joseph constituency is another member of the movement who aims to prioritize agriculture and fishing.
“Growing up in an agricultural village in the 1980s, I witnessed a Dominica where people were getting things done and being rewarded for it”, the Belles native said.
“Farmers were able to sell their produce, which generated money. In Dominica, all I see now is people voting for a living rather than working for a living.”
Despite the record number of candidates who have availed themselves for the positions, Rolle declared that he would be the best choice as he has lived and worked in the community his entire life.
Chairman of the La Plaine village council, Jason Fontaine who is also the TUD’s representative for that constituency says that his entry wasn’t a decision made by him, but more so by the people of his community.
He states as a result that, if elected, he will solely support the proposals made by the residents of his constituency. He further emphasizes that attention will be paid to road infrastructure since this presents a significant problem for local inhabitants during inclement weather.
The La Plaine contender also plans to build a fire station for the people of the East, as well as expand the local sporting community.
Fontaine, who spoke at the Electoral Reform Coalition’s (ERC) “No reform, No elections” event less than 24 hours before nomination day, now claims that he no longer agrees with that idea and is urging voters to cast ballots for TUD and the other independent candidate on election day.
While the party’s Roseau Central representative, Jason Jno Baptiste, stated that entering politics was never in his plans, he made clear that the stagnation in the city was what ultimately drove him to take such drastic action.
Jno Baptiste, a sports enthusiast at heart, declared that if he wins the election on December 6, one of his key priorities will be the athletic industry. Along with improving important locations like the Botanical Garden and Windsor Park Sports Stadium, he also plans to revitalize the Roseau cultural community.
Given that Grand Bay is one of the cultural centers, Lyndon Peters, TUD’s representative for that constituency, declared that, if elected, he will work to enhance culture in the South more broadly.
In addition, Peters wants to establish a suitable playing field for the local athletes and make use of the skills of the young people in his district to give them work opportunities or help them start their own businesses.
Adding his voice, General Secretary of TUD Alex Bruno, expressed confidence in his new team’s ability to provide the electorates with “much-needed change” as he believes that Dominica’s politics needs a restart.
“There is time for newness and freshness. And that’s what TUD is about. We are the fresh voice of Dominica’s politics,” he said.
“We’re about building a new conversation which is necessary in Dominica. We are ready for progressive politics. And we’re asking people to join us as we continue to work. We have five candidates this election, next election you never know.”
Alex Bruno, Tiyani (Douglas) Behanzin, and Roosevelt Skerrit are jointly competing for most dishonest person in Dominica’s politics award! And you can teel them that Reggie say so.
Alex Bruno, I am Glad that you represent The TUD. We have to end with this masquerade ! Must see !
Coming back to Dominica on the 16th of December !
Annick Giraud.
it would be interesting to know who team unity is united with
Carlos Charles: “Our government could descend into authoritarian, dictatorial tyranny if individuals of good conscience don’t vote.” Where has he been in the last ten years, under a rock? Does he think this charade in which team disunity is participating in will do anything to protect democracy? I don’t know if I should begin to pity people like Carlos Charles or despise them?
All you are servants to yourself! Never mind, the only way you would get a position if Skerrit gives you one. What a corrupt place our island has become. Only very few citizens seems to mind!
If Alex Bruno was honest and trustworthy I would definitely jump onboard because my UWP has so badly broken my heart and I can’t see myself voting and supporting that self proclaimed “Villain “ we call Roosevelt Skerrit.
Dominica has a serious political problem especially when one listens to those voice messages from the brother of the opposition leader this weekend, a day before our delegates conference. What is so sickening with this guy is he is destroying the party and so far I have not heard Mr James or Mr Linton condemn those statements he made since he called the name of those two individuals we all love and support. I’m sorry but my heart hurts and I thank DNO for this platform to express myself. Base on what came from this fella I am no doubt done with UWP and I am now calling on the DFP to shape up and get ready because people want a way out
There were a few things glaringly absent for me in the entire presentation.
1. There was quite a bit of talk about what each member plans for his constituency, but no clear indication about the how it is going to be accomplished. I completely discounted the scholarship project as a pie in the sky.
2. The absence of females on your team could mean, either they (who make up a significant percentage of the population) or their issues are of no consequence to your group or no women believed in you to wish to join your team.
3. As all of you stated, you will be listening to the people to see what they want. What processes will you put in place to address and prioritize the wide range of concerns you will receive and who is going to fund them.
I honestly believe you should focus on providing a comprehensive overall strategy for developing Dominica as a whole, not a mismatch of projects which will only serve to divide Dominica even further.
More men with big egos.
For true, big egos but unfortunately small balls.
For the past 20 years Skerrit promised and promised… so are you all..
Can only 6 candidates win this election to form the next Govt?
Wish all the 15 seats remaining goes to each independent candidate..
GO AWAY! You are a mental plague to society.
I second that 1000000000%+
I can never ever trust Alex or his stooges again. They are all in this for self interest. Mem-bet-mem-pwell avec Skerrit! You cant refuse to join the coalition representing the majority and expect the masses to applaud you. You all deserve a very longggggg vacation from the island if you ask me.
@ IBO I would like to support you but listen to those voice notes of Bryan and tell me if Alex should go away or get better. Bryan definitely causing people to give Alex a 2nd look