As the time for reckoning in the Soufriere constituency draws nigh between the two political tribes, it is reasonable for the Dominican population to ponder on what has transpired over the last few weeks and to make some serious self-evaluation of the state of the nation when it comes to morality, ethics and political and economical consciousness.
To do so it is necessary to browse quickly at the reason for the by-election. The by-election is a result of an alleged inappropriate behaviour of the Dominica Labour Party’s parliamentary representative of the Soufriere constituency, with a minor. He has been arrested, charged and is presently on bail with strict conditions such as having to report to the police regularly and restrictions on his travel. Had he not been on bail he would have been remanded at the state prison until trial. One can safely conclude that the individual’s civil rights are restricted and he is not a free man like the average citizen.
Due to the circumstances surrounding the individual it was appropriate for him to vacate his position as a cabinet minister, he had no choice. However, since he has not been tried in a court of law and the basic principle of our democracy assumes an individual to be innocent of any crime until proven guilty by a court of law, the individual was under no obligation to resign as a member of parliament thus creating the reason for the imminent by-election. The individual’s decision to resign from parliament raises many questions and allows space for abundant speculation about his admission of guilt, the embarrassment to his leader and many other conspiratory theories that may all have an element of truth.
In lieu of the pending trial, the individual could have simply sought leave from parliament, which he would have undoubtedly obtained, since his party controls two thirds of the parliamentary seats, and there would be no need for a by-election. Maybe the situation was a blessing in disguise to get rid of the individual who demonstrated the highest level of incompetence as a minister, which can be substantiated by the speed in which his replacement has embarked on the implementation of projects in the ministry. So there is much more to the situation than just the resignation, which many of his colleagues and his leader would like the population to believe. Like Masterlyn Labad would say; Time will tell.
So back to the by-election; history is not on the side of the United Workers Party in the constituency having, unsuccessfully, contested six general elections since 1990 with five different candidates which included the late great Dennis Labasiere and the current president of the Dominica Football Association. Also the UWP is in opposition, so what convincing argument can they make to the electorate to persuade them to vote for a political party in opposition.
During the 2014 general elections campaign the UWP developed a platform for “change is a must”, and they rebranded the party as Team Dominica, a brand which captivated a significant section of the electorate, particularly in the urban and suburban constituencies. Electoral reform, campaign financing, importation of mercenary voters, corruption with the selling of Dominica’s passports, creation of 5000 jobs and equal access to the state media were key to the UWP campaign. This time around it appears that the UWP has abandoned the Team Dominica concept and they have returned to their antiquated Fear No More mantra, a strategy that has not worked since 2000.
UWP is incapable of competing with the Labour Party on all fronts except with the truth. UWP is unable to match Labour’s financial purse, the promises, the dishing out of money and building materials, the propaganda machine, the band of opportunists who follow Labour. Therefore it was necessary for UWP to launch an education campaign based on truth, however, they chose to launch that campaign on Q95 which has a limited listenership and whom the Labour Party has instructed its supporters not to listen to.
One expected UWP to prepare and circulate reading material to educate the people, get the information in every household. Another approach that UWP missed was to promote the campaign as an opposition mission for change, recognizing the fact that the constituency was dominated by the Freedom Party for almost three decades. The inclusion of the remnants of the Freedom Party in the campaign could have improved the possibilities of the UWP in the by-election. It appears that they do not recognize the role that the Freedom Party played in winning Roseau North, Roseau South and Roseau Central in the last elections.
The Dominica Labour Party has perfected their winning strategy for elections in Dominica. The formula is simple, open the iron chest, flood the deprived villages with handouts, overwhelm them with noise, music, food, drinks, mepuis and a sea of red and that does it. The Dominica Labour Party has a bottomless pit of financial resources which will enable them to win elections for a very long time. It is important to note that the Dominica Labour Party does no fund raising, party members pay no dues and their only source of legal income comes from the contribution parliamentarians make from their salaries, which is barely sufficient to erect two billboards.
It is quite evident that the Dominica Labour Party’s financial resources come from perks for the sale of passports and profits from lucrative over- priced construction projects. Another source was from the Venezuelans but this one has quickly faded away just as the rhetoric about our mother land has disappeared. Now there is an embarrassing denial of the situation in Venezuela to the extent that the Bolivarian Republic is becoming a friend of the past.
With a gullible and what appears to be a semi-illiterate electorate in the Soufriere Constituency, it does not appear that the Dominica Labour Party has much of a closing statement to make. A twenty dollar handshake appears sufficient for the voters on island and an airline ticket for those in the diaspora.
The verdict may very well boil down to the two candidates, the very popular and apparently well-loved Higgs Adams, who may be able to clinch victory not because of UWP but because of his history of being with the people through thick and thin as a community man and his work with the Soufriere and Scotts Head village council.
Denise Charles is an unknown in the constituency, though she is academically qualified, her chances as an individual against Higgs Adams would have been a ten to one licking, but unfortunately this is not the way Roosevelt Skerrit’s politics work, he could have sent a broomstick and then immerse himself in the constituency like he was the candidate and he would pull it through.
So the might of the Dominica Labour Party as a government has the advantage in this by-election but the political consciousness of the people of the constituency can create an upset of unimaginable consequences. For one to hold their breath on the latter can be considered a dreamer but that would awaken a part of Dominica that has been blinded and asleep for far too long, amidst all the ills which continue to plague the governance of Waitukubuli.
So the closing arguments for this by-election are simple, the electorate in the constituency can send a message of change in direction that the island is going or they can endorse a dangerous path which leads to a corrupt dictatorship. The decision is in the hands of the jury, the voters of the Soufriere Constituency. If I were part of the jury my vote would be a protest vote against corruption.
Opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. DNO takes no responsibilities for opinions expressed therein.
Bribery Not Illegal Dominica Nah?
How Easy It Is To Sell your Soul – A few Ply Wood Will Do.
Wake Up Dominica Even The Devil Gives without Love.
The anti-Christ Spirit Is At Work And Its Not Only In Dominica.
Just yesterday Sunday Sibuli in Pte Michel people were given white envelopes and T-Shirts. Is that how Dominicans have become? Beggars? . Galvanize,2×4, plywood going wild! what corruption. Wake up Pt.Michel, wake up! One guy actually showed me what he receive.. Is that what election is all about.
God said” give out of a cheerful heart,” but I know their motive is not so but one of enslavement and so too it will not go unnoticed by God… These guys must be punished. God is Good and is not sleeping!!!
Election campaign a la Dominica. Instead of complaining we should take photos and pass it on to the opposition. The UWP should seek legal advice on this and take offending party to court. This is illegal and it needs to stop!
At the same time, shame on all you beggars who sell your country for a few dollar. Shame on you, shame on you!!!
Bro, thanks but as passionate as your plea appears to be. Please be advised, after the votes are counted we will again be reminded the more things change the more it stays the same. No Rock science we are going to have a lot of Blue vex persons and some Red Hot persons and thats the way it is/ called Domocracy in motion. Hope to Read your views after the Elections, i`m waiting with baited Breath.
It is very obvious where your biasness lies and that is why no one will take your writing seriously. Why can´t people try to be objective in their presentations for public consumption? And you honestly expect things to change?
Objectivity is in the eye of the beholder. Have you rver lidten to GIS,Kairi DBS or Q95.
But even more have you listened to a senior counsel Tony Astaphan.
Here we go again. Another so-call educated Dominica showing their bias and insulting the people. As long as Dominicans do not adopt their ideology or advice, We are stupid. Dominica is a democracy, one where the people choose whom they want to represent them. Your choice may not be anthers for what ever reason. Have you considered that the UWP is just not a viable option for the people? I guess not for thats where the perks for the like of you lies.
Who do you refer to as the people?
Very rude individual and subjective piece of literature. You call the people semi gullible and you say Denise is unknown and Higgs is wiit the people. Where are you from? You must have landed from pluto. Stop making comments you do not lnow. No one forces anyone to vote for whosoever. But you do not know the history of the Soufriere Constituency. I think in the absence of not knowing, you should keep your mouth shut. The idea of divisiveness must stop. Proud and God Fearing individual of the Soufriere Constituency. Stop the disrespect.
It is simple enoug for labour supporters to upset the expected result in the by election. If Skerrit’s candidate wins or loses nothing will change to Skerrit’s government. So they are safe to vote against her or abstain and so let Skerrit know that they are not happy with the party and show their displeasure. It will be a wake-up call for him and they stand to win more than lose this way because he will have to pay them far more attention in future but if Denise wins everyone can go to sleep again and forget about the constituency.
DNO there is a YouTube video of Reginald Austrie making derogatory remarks about the underage victim of sexual molestation. This time Austrie is asking the question “what children?” . Emphatically suggesting that these are not children. He found this to be insufficient and he then made hand writting signal spelling out the S word as his definition of the young victims.
That is outragous and ALL women should speakout and condemn this type of behavior by government ministers. The people of Soufriere must reject Reginald Austrie and the Labor Party.
After watching the video i looked at my dsughters and it brought tears to my eyes knowing that a precedent is set in Dominica where young girls are regarded as objects by those who govern
Austrie want to emulate his boss the P.M. and decide what is the law? That young woman is a minor mr. Austrie, no matter what and sexual relations with a minor, whether consensual or not, is as serious offence, punishable by law. Stop that in your pipe and smoke it Reggie, you are totally out of control.
Dominica reflects a society where Alcoholics are trying to convince fellow Alcoholics not to Drink Alcohol n settle for water instead…
Dominca in the political circle is ladden with loads of misfits in the true sense of the word..
Imagine the length of a by election? Millions bring wasted just to ensure that another incapable, gullible n inexperience money seeking labourite gets rich over night..
This young woman must have been paid a huge sum of money in order to contest the seat….. So because of money n greed she has lost her moral compass jumping on the Labour band wagon train…..
There is a saying : people get exactly what they deserve…… In the case of Dominicans, and not this by election, they are gonna get what they voted for…
Then they will grind there teeth in abject poverty whilst the Labour Party people having fun.
Win or Draw this young woman representing labour is already rich… Soon she will be lady in Red… Red makes them look very nice…
I just the people in these areas of point will send a strong message to the Prime minister and the labour party . This is really the time to reject them for they are at fault with our poor people young children and playing politics with it .On one hand the prime minister ask his accused pal rep to stand down while he confuse the united workers pal rep to stay there are cause confusion. Them big men are too wicked boy . soon after this election if skerrit win. He is going to tackle to win roseau south watch it .watch out mp in silence roseau south . make sure skerrit butter you nicely before he get you in his camp of corruption that you once hated. GL……….
Da,
you lots are all wimps stupid fools uneducated sleepers workers and supporters are all snake ? from Hell.
Well written, a nice piece for an educated electorate but alas they will not even read this.
Is Dominica in trouble? The author should remain anonymous because he/she will get blows from both tribes for being objective.
We need more pieces like this one, I wish I could write.
@ Anna Prince… you call this objective writing? hmmmm… I wonder what kind of critique you would be? Obviously this writer is a UWP supporter!
good article but it doesn’t worth much in my view…dominicans are not known to be a brilliant and successful society as a people…they are not there period…
easily charmed for crumbs, lack luster type people
they r the poorest and slowest economy and highly proud of it..
a special breed of humans exist in dominica..
the facts are dominicans are unable to raise to the task of making change..
in a smart society that type of crap would never flourish…
it tells u what kinda ppl dcans are..weak, docile, tame and dazed…
they will always be fooled as they lack depth in thought and result aspects..
dominica is pretty much doomed..they have allowed it with ignorance…