Our beloved country, Dominica, is at a crossroads. At this critical time, voters must examine carefully the contrasting philosophies, policies and styles of the two political parties and their leaders. In the areas of economic performance, foreign policy and good governance, the Dominica Labour Party has failed to deliver in key areas despite fifteen (15) years in power.
On the economy, Roosevelt Skerrit has little to boast about. On January 8th 2004, he inherited an economy well on its way to economic recovery following Dominica’s graduation to the International Monetary Fund’s three year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement in December, 2003. Earlier, Pierre Charles had taken most of the unpopular fiscal measures, including the 4 percent stabilization levy and the 5 percent cut in nominal wages over two years.
Despite the government’s success in attracting significant levels of grant funds from China, Venezuela and the European Union over the last decade, the country is not equipped to compete effectively in this competitive global marketplace. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth figures over the last five years have been extremely poor.
In the period 2009-2013, real GDP growth averaged just 0.5 percent, well below the target of 3 percent. The Government continues to miss its primary surplus target of 2.4 percent of GDP. For fiscal year 2013/2014, a primary deficit of 0.7 percent is estimated.
There have been investments in agriculture over the last 15 years. Despite these interventions, the agricultural sector has declined significantly and this government has presided over the virtual collapse of the banana industry.
The tourism marketing budget for Dominica is insignificant. The investments made in the tourism industry in the public and private sectors have been too small to have a significant impact on the economy. After 15 years, Dominica has failed to attract a leading international hotel operator. We missed a great opportunity to get an international airport when Dominica switched diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China in 2004.
Much has been said about the level of infrastructural projects undertaken by this government. The physical landscape of the Pointe Michel/Soufriere/Scotts head section of Dominica has been transformed following the construction of sea defence walls and roadways. But the town of Portsmouth, which has the greatest potential to transform Dominica has been sidelined. A yacht marina was not built and the idea to build an ICT park at Picard has not materialized. The development of a medi-tourism industry in collaboration with Ross University has not taken off.
The principles which have been demonstrated by the Skerrit administration in the sphere of foreign policy are secrecy and opportunism. There is no transparency nor accountability in the foreign policy framework of this administration. An example of naked opportunism was the decision of the Government of Dominica to abandon its support for the people of Western Sahara in their fight for self determination in favour of an oppressive monarchy in Morocco.
The Government of Dominica has over the years made many diplomatic appointments in total secrecy. These include the notorious Bahamian businessman, ‘Dr’. Rudolph King who served time in jail in the United States. He once presented himself to the Prime Minister of Bahrain as a special envoy to Roosevelt Skerrit. The Italian Government rejected the Dominica Government’s choice of Francesco Corallo as Ambassador to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) because he was wanted by
Interpol for organized crime/transnational crime and fraud. A Special Envoy of Dominica in the United Kingdom was jailed for fraud in 2009. Questions linger about the characters of ambassadors appointed by Dominica to Ireland, Spain, UNESCO and Slovakia. The economic citizenship programme has not been operated in an open and transparent manner.
A hallmark of this administration over the last decade is how corruption in public office has taken root in Dominica to the extent that the public has come to accept it and the regime does not even try to hide it. It is paradoxical that for a party that was voted into office on an anti-corruption platform is itself seen as corrupt and discredited.
The choice before the electorate at this election is stark. After 15 years of Labour rule, the Dominican economy is in deep trouble, kept afloat temporarily by grant inflows, subsidies and remittances from abroad. The social welfare programmes and election campaign funds mask the deep underlying problems in our country- that of inadequate foreign direct investment, declining activity in the agriculture, tourism and manufacturing sectors, the rising cost of living and the scandal of low pay. Gains have been made in some areas, notably infrastructural development and education. But overall, the diagnosis is poor and the prognosis does not inspire confidence.
The only alternative to this regime which is bankrupt, both intellectually and morally, is Team Dominica/United Workers Party. My decision to give critical support to the UWP has historical precedent. In 1979, progressive forces left the original Dominica Labour Party of Patrick John and gave critical support to the then Prime Minister, Oliver Seraphine of the newly formed Democratic Labour Party in the 1980 General Election. In 2000, the two arch political rivals, Labour and Freedom, came together in a tactical alliance to defeat the UWP.
In 2014, in an effort to save Dominica from tyranny, dictatorship and continued economic hardship, I support a change of government. I have not taken this decision lightly. My past criticisms of the UWP in government between 1995-2000 are valid. But we are not living in normal times. My loyalty is to country and not to party. In any event, the Labour Party under Roosevelt Skerrit has long moved away from the principles espoused by EO Leblanc, Mike and Rosie Douglas and Pierre Charles.
Dominica is now at a crossroads. Lennox Linton does not have all the qualities I look for in a leader. In fact no political leader has all the qualities and attributes required for leadership. In this current situation I believe Lennox Linton should be given a chance. After years advocating for good governance in public affairs and pointing to the ills of the Skerrit administration on his radio programme, Between you and me, we can reasonably expect Lennox Linton to bring back cabinet government, restore the independence of state institutions, restore the supremacy of parliament and bring an end to the politics of spin and lies.
I sincerely believe that the new team of largely professionals, progressives and patriots the UWP has assembled, represents the only chance Dominica has to stop this utterly dishonest regime. It is my fervent hope that a new UWP government will restore honesty, transparency and integrity in government. I call on all voters to take note of the vulgar display of wealth in this campaign, the source of which remains a secret. It is the solemn duty of all Dominicans to place Dominica first when they cast their vote on election day, December 8th 2014.
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Man go back in your hole. You are irrelevant and no is listening to you.
Very well written article! Great work Mr. Douglas.
I CONCUR….THIS PIECE HAS TO BE REPEATED…..
I sincerely believe that the new team of largely professionals, progressives and patriots the UWP has assembled, represents the only chance Dominica has to stop this utterly dishonest regime. It is my fervent hope that a new UWP government will restore honesty, transparency and integrity in government. I call on all voters to take note of the vulgar display of wealth in this campaign, the source of which remains a secret. It is the solemn duty of all Dominicans to place Dominica first when they cast their vote on election day, December 8th 2014.” … Sean have you asked of the Leadership of the UWP how there campaign is been financed? They are spending money from what I can see, though it appears to be less than what the DLP is spending the source like that of the DLP remains a secret. How can you expect this team to be honest when among them includes an individual who is yet to account properly for DAAS money, how can you expect this team to be transparent when like the DLP they keep the source of their campaign financing secret.
Try as I might to keep my comments above board, it is becoming increasingly difficult each day, as decision day gets closer, and latter-day saints like Sean steps into the limelight seeking to advise us how to choose.
For him to even seem to be credible, Sean simply has to stop violating the laws of Dominica with his in-your-face parking of his vehicle on the public sidewalk, hindering free and unfettered pedestrian traffic outside of his grandfather’s café – so called. Start with that move, Sean, and then start speaking as if you posses even the slightest bit of integrity.
While I cyan pretend to have never transgressed the law, I have never, ever been that blatant an offender, not especially when the harm is so obvious, and surely not after when members of the public have pointed out my transgression to me directly. I certainly do not get vex and defensive if I am told to stop it already!
One plug for Sean notwithstanding is that this is a good piece of writing, in so far as it satisfies the requirements of having sound mechanics, i.e., grammar, syntax and staying on theme.
Even so, Sean’s argument is unconvincing and very specious, for obvious reasons. Just watch the results of the polls on Monday evening.
So wait a minute. Your contribution is to state that Seans insight is null and void because he is always breaking parking rules ?
If only there were condoms in your fathers time.
Labour intelligence sinks lower and lower.
No politics not making me dis my family in public like that.No loyalty.No one will trust you.
The results of the Polls on Monday will lay the groundwork for the future political landscape in Dominica because all voters will follow their consciences and preferences. That is what we want each voter to do…to think for themselves and not to be swayed by the thoughts, fears and biases of other people. To look at themselves in the mirror on Monday, consider the candidates and their key followers carefully, and then go to put that cross where their consciences lead them.
Hope that process will be respected by voters if their party does not win the election. That is so, so important.
Well written. You are well informed an highly educated. Thanks for this article.
stupes
Whether you like or hate Sean, he has presented FACTS. Cold hard unchanging FACTS. You guys see the corruption right in front of you but you decide to turn a blind eye and attack the messenger. I don’t know Sean or his history, but knowing that we have given diplomatic citizenship to at least THREE known international criminals, is enough to the government. We simply cannot uphold this level of corruption.
If we give a mandate for 5 more years, what are we telling our government…that this behavior is OK because we are laborites. We need some standards people! Politics is only dirty b/c we tolerate it. Lets stop accepting any nonesense thrown at us and start demanding that politicians are held to the same standard that we are at our jobs!
Skerro , we love you come Dec 8, our Skerro will remain PM.
Helas Sean! You not tired embarrassing your family? Just behave yourself and make your little icecream eh.
Really Sean? Wow! Thankfully you are irrelevant and no one takes you seriously. Go eat your breakfast.
In politics when the word crosswords is used, deception always comes to mind, if the electorate is educated and astute there is no reason to be confronted with crossroads.The crossroads Sean is alluding to is of his own making. He is the one who is confronted by crossroads with his personal political animosity, not Dominicans.
Thanks for the support you now give. We need you to further expose those crooks and opportunists. You are a better man because you put pride aside and focus on the best team and our country.
He did? Or was he kicked aside? Would you trust someone who only pretend to be honest after being kicked out by their gang or someone who left the gang voluntarily because they did not like the standards? No don’t answer, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. That’s why labour will remain labour and uwp will remain in the yard.
Sean, boy, you hitting hard. I am glad you have seen the light.
I recall some years ago, the functioning of an OECS Parliamentary Commission (or a name with similar meaning) headed by the late Professor Telford Georges. The Commission was charged to engage the residents of the sub-grouping to determine an appropriate system of governance for the OECS political union which was considered imminent at this time. As an emerging labour-management advocate, I formed part of the Dominica private sector team to consult with the Commission. A governance model which seemed to favour the private sector was to move away from parliamentary elections to a presidential election.
I chose to bring this from the archive at this time because it is without doubt that the past two or three general elections in Dominica have been focussed on the political leaders and not the constituency candidates. I think the DLP has made the greatest contribution to this trend. I also believe that post-elections 2014, State and Non-State Actors should caucus to examine our system of voting and recommend necessary changes to the current system which I believe has outlived its usefulness. I will declare here that I am in favour of voting for an Executive President. We can still continue with constituency voting to elect Parl Reps who will form the Legislature, but the Executive Branch will be the President and team members he will freely select to hold Cabinet positions. A major benefit of this option is that the President will not be constrained to select his Cabinet from winning Parl Reps. This has been a major contributor to inefficiency and poor performance at the ministerial level, but if the President is free to choose his Cabinet from the population, we can be assured of better public sector management and leadership. Let’s hear your views now!
More sour grapes. If I was Skerrit I would fire you too for the certain statements you made. You were unproductive as a civil servant so uwp can keep you. you fit in very nicely.
“I sincerely believe that the new team of largely professionals, progressives and patriots the UWP has assembled, represents the only chance Dominica has to stop this utterly dishonest regime. It is my fervent hope that a new UWP government will restore honesty, transparency and integrity in government. I call on all voters to take note of the vulgar display of wealth in this campaign, the source of which remains a secret. It is the solemn duty of all Dominicans to place Dominica first when they cast their vote on election day, December 8th 2014.” … Sean have you asked of the Leadership of the UWP how there campaign is been financed? They are spending money from what I can see, though it appears to be less than what the DLP is spending the source like that of the DLP remains a secret. How can you expect this team to be honest when among them includes an individual who is yet to account properly for DAAS money, how can you expect this team to be transparent when like the DLP they keep the source of their campaign financing secret.
I’m in total agreement.
PM…….UWP`s money has been raised through through transparency, a word you all in DLP know nothing of and came through donations, radiothons, contributions etc…. and the accounts was given……..its donations from all sources and yo are welcome to contribute and donate. Go tell your friends.. This you cannot believe………people are in poverty and the crowd you all gather are through big bands and artistes while poor Dominicans suffer….sad ……millions spent paying for overseas artistes while UWP invests their money in Dominica…….you see the difference???
You are welcome to join and contribute for good governance…transparency any decency in government, that Skerrit and his DLP team lack. We di not trust them
Sean you are irrelevant. After you help Skerrit waste our tax money with your luxury trips and your hungry breakfast you now want to play like you care about Dominica? Why you people believe that RBD surname own you a right to this country? Sean what is it that you want? Cant you get a proper job without politics? Is this why you never worked before Rosie came into office and now you are still on the wayside? Why is it that its only when you were thrown out for your disloyalty you now see the light? Don’t get me wrong people are entitled to speak in our country but don’t be fooled by such people, they will not do the UWP any good but kiss them when they are up and kick them when they do not have their way. By their fruits you shall now them so tell me what is Sean’s fruits?
Sean, we are not hearing you. Are you craving attention? Anyone asking the populace to choose Linton over our astute PM is deranged to say the least. Lennox is not fit for public office. DLP, all the way!
DLP all the way. Shout it form the roof top and it will be so? Dream on!!
You have any evidence of Lennox unfitness?
astaphan, alick, nanthan, dr. I like it and kairi fm queen, dlp is imploding , throw in the flag you still have a few days.
dream on. we will see who throwing in flag on monday night.
You would like that eh! You will have to keep burning airports and you will still be in the yard
The brilliance of this young man is breathtaking.
I did not bother reading the comments because they
Were poorly presented.
have a mind think 4 urself. stop believing what other people tell u. they continue to play with all u minds. there was extra highten security at the airport. so it could not be someone from the outside, then again maybe ur so blinded that there is no place for reasoning. so maybe i should not waste time trying to enlighten u. que sera sera.
Shut up world peace.. Don’t know where. U get that name from, but leave DLP alone fool.