Today, Senator the Honorable Delbert Paris, a civil engineer and experienced community leader, officially announced his candidacy for leadership of the United Workers Party (UWP) at the upcoming delegates conference in December 2024.
“After thoughtful consideration, I am announcing my candidacy for leadership of the United Workers Party. With my professional training and experience in civil engineering, construction, agriculture and years of dedicated Community leadership through local and international organizations, I offer a unique combination of practical experience and leadership skills to help propel our party and country into the future.” Senator Paris said.
Senator Paris’ political career has been marked by his appointment to Dominica’s Parliament two years ago and his subsequent focus on analyzing finances, program operations, and existing policies to help improve Dominica’s governance structures. Outlining sustainable and people-centered goals, has given his bid for leadership such overwhelming public support.
Senator Paris continued; “I am stepping forward because I believe I have the drive, determination, and capacity required to advance our party’s mission and objectives.
My professional experience in the construction industry, having participated in several notable projects inside and outside of Dominica, along with my involvement in agriculture, particularly being a lead member of one-off, Dominica’s only international award-winning cocoa producing firms, allows me to provide a unique set of practical, applicable sustainable solutions for the development of these two growth engines in our economy.
Coupled with my community involvement, this experience gives me the unique ability to champion our party’s message beyond its traditional base reaching broader demographics, including youth, the private sector, and potential new supporters.”
Senator Paris outlined a vision focused on rejuvenating the party’s foundation while broadening its reach.
“My goal is to reenergize our loyal supporters, the over 16,000 + voters that have remained committed to the party’s vision of ‘putting people first’, and the objective of ‘providing the opportunity for the full enjoyment and better way of life for all our people, my hope is that we can remember why we started this, and why we have remained true to this cause for the last 36 years.
We will Endeavor to build a solid, unified leadership coalition, merging the party’s seniority and wisdom with new energetic hearts and minds, while rebuilding the party’s grassroots movement, that will widen the party’s umbrella and build a stronger, more inclusive political movement.
This approach is what will position us to form the next government of the Commonwealth of Dominica.”
Senator Paris’ candidacy represents a combination of professional expertise and grassroots activism, with a strong focus on expanding the party’s appeal across all sectors of Dominican society.
Senator Paris believes that the next general elections in Dominica will be the most critical elections in Dominica’s 46 years of democratic independence and he is committed to serving his country and its people at the highest level.
Thompson Fontaine goes to Dominica only when he must.When his contract was not renewed with IMF,he returned to Dominica and was given a position as opposition senator.At the time he said he had returned to save Dominica,as soon as he got a job in south Sudan,he forgot about saving Dominica,he resigned as senator and left.Now that his contract is over as an observer in South Sudan he is back talking BS about saving Dominica AGAIN.South Sudan is worse off now than before Fontaine,and when he lose the position of leader of UWP,if he can find a job outside of Dominica he will leave.The guy have nothing in Dominica he can call his own no house,no job,the guy planted 40 coconut plants and he is on Facebook boasting.But,again UWP is a Marigot party of confusion,every UWP leader must be from Marigot,Edison James,Lennox Linton and now Delbert Paris.UWP is a dog eat dog political party and they are shamelessly exposing their greed for the world to see.When rogues and vagabonds fall out Mr.MEME.
oh oh,so what about the coconut tree Thompso. planted nuh? It was too deep snyhow. Should be 2/3 deep and1/3 showing.Poor fella.
all the best Mr. Paris
select a dynamic team that can come up with a vison to bring da to the next level and attract people to vote for you all , do not singing the same old tune that has been sung for the last 30 years otherwise u all will be sitting on the opposite side for a long time
Many veteran party supporters of the UWP are clamouring for Dr. Fontaine to continue as leader of the party. The delegates should and will determine that. Democracy is sometimes not pretty. It can be a bruising process.
For me, Dr. Thomson Fontaine has done nothing to engendered confidence in his leadership. Although he is intelligence, his leadership ability is very questionable. He has no charisma. This is a very important attribute of a good leader.
He (Thomsn) is mostly absent from the country. For two years he has not grown the party base. He does even have any named candidates in the various constituencies. What manner of leader is this? That’s a cardinal sin as sections can be called at any time.
Any fair minded person will edit that Dr. Fontaine’s leadership has been found wanting. If an election were today, the results will be disastrous for the UWP compliments of Dr. Fontaine’s lacklustre leadership.
It seems that the Starboy-of-Stupidity has spread his virus throughout the country, every time I listen to persons who believe that political parties belong to them always speak with the loudest voices and saying nothing at the same time; what’s wrong with the young man challenging for the leadership of the UWP, isn’t this country and the process democratic? I thought it was the delegates who votes who should be leader at their conference, even Matt is a papy-show when he expressed surprise at the young mans intentions, what is even more strange they are the same ones criticizing Sker-rat and the DLP for not doing what UWP are doing. Can us Dominicans stop behaving like the proviral jack—-s that we have become and according to Matt himself “it is better to be thought of as a fool than to open our mouths and remove all doubt”; and the argument of the absence of the leader from the country is so flawed isn’t there a Deputy leader what is high function and that of the executive…
Just if someone had challenged the present DLP leader what some of these hypocrites would have posted.
@Colombo
Your comment is confusing. So what happen you are scared of mentioning names? OMG!
I’d suggest rallying your own team and start a new party with like minded individuals.
congrat..to you mr paris….i wanna send a clear message to uwp delegate…thomson fountain is an instrument but he cannot garner sopport from the youth and undecided voter’s…vote for paris st the delegate’s, conference ..a vote for thomson is to embrace .where your party is now
Leet me see if UWP delegates will keep making the same mistake
Being seen rather than viewed is a good thing in both life and politics. Unfortunately, for Mr. Fontaine, continual non-domestic assignments and obligations have rendered him a virtual and visual no show in the Dominican political landscape.
Seeing is crucial to believing when it comes to politics. The Dominican electorate, like any other constituency, need see the diligent boots on the ground presence of every aspiring political office holder in order to accurately assess their overrall competency, communication effectiveness and political savvy.
No aspiring Priministerial candidate will be able to displace the entrenched incumbent through virtual osmosis or on a wing and a prayer. He or she must be present stateside to galvanize the level of support needed to send the current administration packing.
Finally, somebody positive.
People who read your post do not expect anything better. You(MEME)are one of those who is convinced Lennox Linton is a Jacka,and too uneducated to lead UWP.The backstabbing of Linton is being exposed.Linton never had a chance of becoming Prime Minister,now he is put in the garbage pail and betrayed by his blue bed bugs.
You know I’ve watched a couple of this man’s parliamentary contributions and I was left impressed. I believe he can shake things up. Dominica has been lulled to sleep. We need some fresh young blood.
I mean Dr. Fontaine has been literally MIA for almost the entire year since becoming leader.
More discord in UWP camp. Are we really saying that the leader of our party has to be from Marigot? Dr Fontaine has only served as leader of our party for a year and has done a very good job in restoring our party after the abrupt and stone throwing resignation of Mr Linton. I find Mr Delbert Parris is a new comer to the party and should not allow himself to be used by the heads of the party to further disrupt the party. I am a poto UWP and a good friend of Mr Parris but I am upset with this UWP move. Dr Fontaine should go into the delegates conference unchallenged.
A welcomed refreshment.
I do not know you young man, but that is what democracy is all about. Kudos to you! I am looking forward to more candidates putting themselves up for this top position.
The more people that compete for that top spot, the greater will be the pressure on everyone to do well.
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Absolutely no surprise there. I predicted this months ago and continuously mention it to my friends during our political discussions about politics back home. Unfortunately, I do not see you making a huge difference except you can convince your party faithful to change their approach. The aggressive, insolent approach doesn’t work.
what about Mr Fontaine, is the UWP a marigot thing, why is there always fight for leadership. If the leader not from Marigot we not satisfied. why why why.
I don’t think it’s a matter of leadership in the UWP
@Sly Hubert Valmond
Maybe you have not understood what is going on.
If the delegates vote for Dr Fontaine, he will obviously continue to lead. If the delegates vote for ‘Tom Brown’, then ‘Tom Brown’ will be leader. What Dr Fontaine has to do is rally people to vote for him.
MEME, I think Dr. Thomson Fontaine’s leadership of the UWP has been nothing but deleterious to the party.
His frequent absence from Dominica, his failure to name caretakers for the various constituencies, his refusal to traverse all the constituencies pounding on doors and meeting in person with the electors, not having an active youth arm of the UWP, buiding a strong women’s arm of the party, all these have resulted in apathy among the party faithful.
The biggest problem in Dominica is that people give politicians ad political parties blind support regardless of their lack of performance. This happens o both sides of the political aisle.
If the sectors would only elect politicians based solely on performance, the country and its residents will be in a much better place.
STOP THE POLITICAL PARTISANSHIP. Call wrong wrong! Get rid of the Utica DEAD WEIGHTS.
You are right! UWP keep playing elite politics wasting time and money. The delegates must rally around young fresh new blood, let the older heads advise. If they cant do that then they do not have Dominica in mind.
Great suggestion and comment. Time is ripe to try something new. With Mr. Paris you get a fresh face, progressive ideas, a man of integrity, inclusive government, a true patriotic citizen.
Let’s print this new slogan: Paris For PM!