“We have to step back and ask ourselves, are these activities and actions we are taking going to get us to win elections?” Those were the words of Leader of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) Bernard Hurtault while delivering remarks during a virtual press conference for international news media on Tuesday.
The conference was organized by the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC) in light of what they say is persecution and police brutality in Dominica.
On Wednesday, March 19, the ERC staged protest action in Roseau demanding electoral reform, “…that the people of Dominica have asked for.”
Protesters clashed with police outside of parliament. The lawmen then used teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the angry crowd. In defense, the protesters pelted stones at the police.
The ERC has been calling for voter ID cards, campaigning financing, and re-registration.
Following last week’s protest actions a total of 10 individuals have been arrested, among them are former MP for the Salisbury constituency Hector ‘Spags’ John, and Former MP for Roseau North, Daniel Lugay.
“I think that at some point we have to accept and ask ourselves: what is truly next? Because I think if we keep doing this stuff I don’t think we will get the results that we hoped for,” Hurtault said. “So I think at some point we have to get more imaginative, more creative, think outside the box, rethink the entire thing.”
He continued, “I think this is a junction and a point for us to rethink the entire thing about what the political opposition in Dominica is about and what it is we are going to do to win elections?”
According to Hurtault, this is not about protest nor electoral reform, “But the end is to win elections, so we have to step back and ask ourselves are these activities and actions we are taking…going to get us to win elections?”
He argued that continuing to pursue the path of protesting as necessary as it may be, will not lead “us” to electoral victory.
“This is not really getting us results,” he stressed. “Let us rethink this thing. Let us see what we can do to get the list ourselves cleaned.”
“What can we do to reach out to the communities? What can we do to overcome the issue of money?” Hurtault added.
Furthermore, he pointed out that it doesn’t take $10,000 to win an election in Dominica. Rather, it takes passion, commitment, reaching out to the people, and motivating them.
“The list is here, let us innovate around that,” he advised. “How can we ensure that the people who vote are the people who are supposed to vote? How can we make sure that our people register to vote? What can we do to get the young people to register?”
He encouraged the ERC to use the moment to reimagine what it would take for the opposition to be strong, powerful, and able to win an election in Dominica.
“I think we can do it. We have bright innovative people, but we really have to take this step back and say what can we do? Innovate around the constraints rather than accepting the constraints and fighting because that has not helped,” Hurtault encouraged.
The ERC is a civil society organization in Dominica dedicated to advocating for comprehensive electoral reforms and ensure free and fair elections. It was established in response to longstanding concerns over the integrity of Dominica’s electoral process. The group comprises various stakeholders, including political parties, trade unions, religious organizations, and private sector entities.
Mr.Hurtault, you pose the question, what can the opposition do to win an election? It’s very simple. Begin by doing the work, the leg work like going door to door in the various districts and selling your message. No amount of protest, May 1979 ain’t gonna happen again, no amount of just bashing Skerrit, his supporters are aware of the stuff that’s constantly being said and it’s having no effect on his base and no amount of Doom and Gloom stories, everyone knows that’s not an accurate account of the situation on island so you have to change course or you’re never going to win.
I have said it before. The voter has to be told how you’re going to make their life easier before they will even begin listening and taking you seriously. A lot of voters are cemented in their beliefs therefore it’s going to take a lot of convincing to have them switch sides. Additionally, going up against a formidable incumbent like Mr.Sherrit is definitely going to be a challenge so be prepared to…
Now here’s a sensible leader that Ugly Lennie and Thomo should learn from. Einstein’s parable of Quantum insanity “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”. The strategy of chaos has not worked for UWP in getting them back in power, yet they keep trying this stunt over and over again. The electorate is now wise to this stunt and don’t fall for it. On the day, supporters of UWP may think they are making a point; blocking roads, shouting their heads off in the streets and attacking police, but when it comes to election time, Dominicans tend to know how or where their bread is buttered. Time to change tact boys!
This guy, who cannot form a viable political party, wants to make corruption of the electoral process by Roosevelt and his racketeers an academic exercise.
The DFP does not exist today. If they were to contest a general election today none of their candidates would recoup their deposits.
When you are dealing with thugs you cannot turn the other cheek. You have to be assertive and determined. You may lose the battle but not the war. A brave man dies
once but a coward dies many times.
Mr. Bernard Hurts all you and your concept of a party are of no consequence, totally insignificant. Stop muddying the waters. Spoiler!!!
Why didn’t you focus on the message and not the messenger? That’s the problem right there. You folks are terrible listeners which causes you to miss out on suggestions/ideas that could be of some benefit in the long run. Give the individual’s message some serious thought and consideration before just discounting it. Maybe you might find out that the advice he is giving here just might work. You can decide to continue with your flawed strategy or give the individual’s suggestion a try. Your choice.
“I think that at some point we have to accept and ask ourselves: What is truly next? Because I think if we keep doing this stuff I don’t think we will get the results that we hoped for,” Hurtault said. “So I think at some point we have to get more imaginative, more creative, think outside the box, rethink the entire thing.”
Well, someone is thinking AND speaking. This is not what Bosso, Linton, et al want to hear, but at least this dude is calling a spade a spade this time around.
Wow, resurrection, lol politics in Dominica, Is this the only time you appear when there is upheaval in The Country, that type of Politics is passé old, the type of politician who shows up at funerals. Yes, we need Opposition Parties in Dominica, but you got to be real and not just come with nice crafted words. You got to come down to the trenches, that is what real Politicians and aspiring leaders do, cosmetic approach does not work.
The UWP leader would be well served to listen to this. He has already taken a posture of lying that will not soon be forgotten. To suggest that the protest action was peaceful is such a fundamentally, provable lie that I am surprised he thinks he can get away with insisting on it.
The bottom line is that these guys do not inspire and they are fooled if they think violent behavior will inspire a generation looking for hope and a new direction.
Laura, we’re you at the scene and protesting too….