Former Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau South Constituency, Attorney Joshua Francis has stepped out of the political arena once again.
This is not the first time Francis has left politics as there were rumours of his departure as early as 2016 when he was ousted as deputy leader of the UWP due to his involvement in a court matter. He also quit outright in 2017 only to return in May of 2018.
He told Dominica News Online (DNO) during an interview on Tuesday that he decided to take a break and move out “cleanly”.
Francis, who was a member of the Opposition United Workers Party (UWP) lost his seat to newcomer Chekira Lockhart-Hypolite in the 2019 General Election by about 299 votes.
“I stepped out to give myself an opportunity to walk into a new season of my life. I needed a break, I needed to get out of the noise to go into a season of peace and quiet for self-restoration, self-repair, and self-development,” he stated.
Francis stated, however, should it be God’s will sometime in the future he may return to give political service to the people, “but not in the immediate future.”
“I have no intention to be a candidate in the next general election. I do not know what the future holds but for now I needed some time and space for self-development and I wish everybody well,” he said.
Meantime, Francis said he will continue to have a close relationship with the Roseau South Constituency.
“It is part of my extended family and I have not turned my back and I will not turn my back on the people,” he indicated.
He went on to say that one of the things he will be focusing on is his law practice.
“My law practice is one of the things that I will be focused on moving forward,” he stated.
Francis expressed his gratitude to all those who have contributed to him in one way or the other.
He also thanked all of the UWP, the Roseau South Constituency, and Dominica by extension.
“I hope the best for every one of us, I hope the best for a better Dominica, a better Roseau South and an improvement in life for every single Dominican, especially the barefoot man,” Francis said.
His decision was officially made known in a letter to the President of the UWP.
The UWP suffered a major defeat to the incumbent Dominica Labour Party, who won 18 of the 21 seats in the last general elections.
Me,what lost? after you and Linton embarrassed the man in Mahaut? HYPOCRITE.
I remember when my schoolmate Ian resigned as parl rep for soufriere…..my padna was sobbing in full public view on de podium.
Talk about embarrassing your own in full public view!!!
I’m not a supporter of any party……. certainly not DLP…. not after de embarrassments of Rosie and Pierro…..I felt hurt when I saw de end of my friend political career … sobbing in full view of the public.
What happened to de case nuh?
iprotest
I don’t find the name Joshua looks anything like Ian so why is Ian the topic? any embarassment associated with Ian pales in comparison with that of Joshua. Feb 07 debacle; …………………..pathetic appearance and treatment at the UWP Mahaut party gathering etc.
You people continue to deflect the focus from yourselves to other people, trying to take out the speck in other people’s eyes while the beam is blinding your own.
You all just seem never to learn.
What ever happened to the allegations of inappropriate behaviour with this underaged girl? Does it mean that he can now face prosecution for his part in this action? The other guy from the Labor that was involved got sacked by Skerrit but Linton went on to appoint Joshua as deputy leader of the UWP.
It is always sad to see hard work gone to waste. Now the so called barefoot man is having a good laugh. It is a heavy price to pay when you don’t follow your office code of conduct of practice. We all learn from our mistakes. You fell off your horse
you remount and learn to ride better. No we are boys business, your family is your wife and children, relatives should take care of themselves. Good luck for the future. God Speed
I applaud you for doing what you think is in your best interest. I wish you ALL the best in whatever direction you head out. I however think that the decision is premature. I am the eternal optimist. The courts are going to rule in favor of the UWP in the elections petition. You arevtge established candidate. It would be against a new candidate in the by elections should you hold firm on your decision. I hope that you will return to the ground as soon as the court’s decision is given and you can win your seat and give true representation to the constituency and service to the country.
Govelma
Boy you people are a sample. Is he the same person who attended the UWP gathering in Mahaut after the case against him? are you the same supporters of the same party?
Thank God Joshua Francis is a young man with a likeable personality and he seems to have a big heart of forgiveness, but the rest of us are still here and we still remember the atrocious treatment which he received.
You people really have a nerve, but that is typical of ALL of you. Hope Joshua stops hopping around and sticks to his position this time.
all the best
@gouvelma typical of you lunatics. The man gave strong and solid reasons for wanting to step out of the limelight, respect the man’s decision! The reason is self perseverance! Now Mr. know it all you don’t think his decision is good enough for you RIGHT! Because of your level of education, I thought you had a different analysis on matters, apparently no! Are you one of the devious ones from another PLANET 🌏?
@Gouvelma, You must be a bloody clown 🤡 or …..to think that the court will rule in Linton and his comedian party no wonder you lots keeps writing so much nonsense on this forum!!!
@Gouvelma, are you familiar with the term ‘Cloud Coo-Coo Land’? Well I suspect that’s where you are currently living on. Joshua decided to get a real life and move on, maybe you should follow his example and do likewise.
But Gouvelma really? Really? Optimist? Eternal? Eternity ? What kind of advise is this? Why still mislead? i am so amazed at some people. Move on in your mind. Emancipate yourself from fake news slavery! It is done, it has been done. Threat and mayhay did not frighten the electorates. Move on.. Use a new and better strategy!
Mr just agree he can not be led by a JACK … for another 5 years so he trying something.
Did DLP win 18 or 17 seats?
Big up Joshua!
Every man had his path in life. Your political career as park rep for Roseau south was a blessing to the constituents who will continue to hold you close to their hearts.
Politics is a cost to the human spirit…bow out with Grace my boy. Your family and personal life is as important to the welfare of the constituency.
You bowing out with clear vision.
I live around Roseau south although temporarily ….I watched all de hatred and division coming from your opponent side … that attitude will not bring de constituency together.
You served the nation with pride… By de way I personally think that de Judas fella wanted to be on the executive.. maybe in your position.
He didn’t satisfy his ego to be on the executive so he maliciously displayed a hatred for the polical leader.
Up till today de Roseau Central people who voted for him have no idea what is in the letter to the political leader.
Joshua you are a Man among Men!
Do you guys take time out to think deeply when you write? I believe deep down in my heart that Joshua is a good person but he has a few defects which makes him unfit to represent at that level. Josh talks a good talk but the blemish on his character placed there by the alleged incident with ………..along with his alleged treatment of his wife and her eventually flight for safety, doesn’t help him. All you of this happened while he was parl rep so I am not sure what you mean when you talk about serving with pride and dignity.
Your opinion alone can’t sway de reality
Chekira can’t unite people.
She failed long time ago.
What’s your point
Ou tou —. What does the two have to do with each other. Would you advise you child to go commit a crime because his or her peer committed one? I am tired of asking you all to forget political affiliation when you comment. It will go a long way in preventing you from sounding like an empty head.
If it is not going Joshua Francis’s way……He walks away, again. If he had worked harder to regain his seat in parliament he would have won.
U did well for Dominica and the people of Roseau South.thanks for your efforts
GOUVELMA,UWP CANNOT WIN If another election were to be called UWP would LOSE.You ,UWP people do not understand.In 7 elections the MAJORITY of DOMINICAN VOTERS HAS NEVER VOTED UWP.You guys betrayed JOSHUA,remember Mahaut?CROOKED.
TELEMAQUE.After the election of 2019,MATT PELTIER said on Q95,that LENNOX LINTON was no longer the leader of the opposition.A few days later LENNOX LINTON,went on Q95 and said he was still leader of the opposition,MATT stays MOOMOO.Section 66 (4)a on page 64 of the DOMINICA CONSTITUTION,tells Linton,He is no longer leader of the opposition.
And this is a loss to Dominica… a guy who is smart, in touch with the people and loved… too bad … look who we got instead… shame..