A statement to the media from Acting Political leader of the Alternative Peoples’ party (APP) Tahira Blancard, hinting that her team would participate in the upcoming general elections, has led to the resignation of the party’s president, Julius Corbette.
Speaking on Q95 Friday afternoon, Corbette declared that his party would not contest the upcoming election, citing reasons such as “the absence of electoral reform, the prime minister’s gross disrespect for the citizens of Dominica, his abuse of political power and authority as well as the PM’s non-democratic style of government.”
Over the weekend, Blanchard issued a lengthy statement in which she condemned the prime minister for the calling of General Elections constitutionally due in 2025, in what she labelled as “a very deceptive manner.”
According to the politician, “there can be absolutely no justification or reasoning for calling such elections in the national interest, but clearly to advance his own personal and selfish political agenda.”
However, Blanchard noted that since violence and disorder are not a wise option to force the President to advise the Prime Minister to revoke his Election order, “it would be prudent for the opposition and patriotic Dominicans who are able to, to offer themselves to the electorate in this General election.”
“Accordingly, all abled and suitable men and women of this great land are hereby called upon to offer themselves for service to their country to save it from the tyranny of an impending dictatorship by offering themselves as candidates in this election!” she said.
In response to Blanchard’s release, Corbette stated, “Ms Blanchard’s message and my statement are incongruous and send confusing messages to the citizens of Dominica who deserve better of us. Consequently, I am announcing today that I am resigning as president of the APP effective immediately.”
He alleged that since the Prime Minister broke the news of the snap election scheduled for December 6, he and Blanchard had communicated over the message about the party’s decision to not contest in the upcoming election.
He also claims that he was advised by Blanchard that they should wait before releasing a statement, therefore it came as a surprise to him over the weekend when he saw that a statement was issued to the media from the acting political leader, before consulting the party.
Corbette added that the decision by the party’s acting political leader over the weekend was the ultimate deal breaker for him and reaffirmed that he should part ways with the movement.
“This demonstrates to me that it is going to be extremely difficult to work with Miss Blanchard…I am a man of high integrity” he asserted. “I cannot be in a position where I am working with someone who is doing things behind my back.”
“I can no longer work with anybody who I do not see as a good team player and I do not see Miss Tahira Blanchard as a good team player and that is an issue for me,” he declared.
The former president went on to wish the party well in its future endeavours and noted that he will no longer be associated with them.
This isn’t the first time that the less than three-year-old political party has found itself embroiled in controversy and has had members resign from the movement.
In October of last year, the party faced a major rift in its leadership as Blanchard and a few other members of the executive announced in a press release that party co-founder and political strategist Alex Bruno had resigned via WhatsApp, a claim Bruno vehemently denied.
APP officials told Dominica News Online (DNO) at the time, that based on a series of actions taken by Bruno during the few preceding weeks, which they chose not to disclose, they agreed that a parting of the ways was the best option to protect the party’s integrity.
A mere hours later, Bruno submitted what he said was his official resignation letter from the party, which was followed by the resignation of the Interim Finances and Secretariat Director of APP, Kendra Stephen, 2nd deputy political leader, Whitney Mélinard and executive member Sherlyn Sabaroche.
Tahira need to give it a rest. She likes things her way and she is hungry for power in my opinion. With that being said, APP should not take part in the upcoming elections.
I agree with the house bigger business that that exposes the UWP and Kenneth RIJOCK.Linton,Lugay and Hector will do everything to stop the snap election.Why,because they are garanteed a paycheck,all of them would be paid a salary untill 2025.After 2025 the only person who stood a chance is Hector,guess what the decision to boycott was not made with the blessings of the big three.Skerrit has successfully cut their monthly salary and allowance.In public they support the UWP boycott in private they crying blood.Linton Lugay and Hector want to contest,but they are prevented from doing so by UWP executive.Politics is like a chess game,think long and think hard,especially when playing against a world champion.
Well done Sir. It’s just a fact of life. People with integrity will not get along with people without integrity.
Very proud of you Mr. Corbette. Country must always come before self. You have earned my respect sir!
Now that is what you call a man. stand for your principles and by your word. good going sir. but i wonder is the APP was influenced by lord commander of the planet. he needs an opposition to contest with. otherwise, it would seem that he is running a purely one state communistic party.
I always maintain that the UWP made a big mistake by not contesting. They need to understand that Skerrit put Dominica in a big mess and they alone cannot fix it. There will always be greedy and selfish people that will accept Skerrit’s bribe to run and that will spoil the show. UWP didn’t do their ground work because they did they would realize there are many disgruntled laborites that were going to vote UWP in secret this year because they realize Skerrit is not concerned about Dominica. Besides with that preschool new candidates Skerrit brought on board with some already known to be vulnerable mattresses of ministers and friends have people upset and that was UWP opportunity that they threw. I for example was a poto DLP and voted them in 2019 but I and my household of 5 eligible voters had done plan on voting UWP in secret and I know several others in marginal constituencies that were going to vote him out. They blew it and whoever is advising UWP should be ashamed of themselves
15 years in contesting an election and the uwp can not convince the people!
15 years in politics and the poor supporters are blindly spending their hard earn monies behind a leader who has brought nothing but political unrest!
15 years! Uwp sent only 2 students to university!
15 years of criticism that has brought us zero resolution!
15 years of drama! 15 years of theatrical acts!
15 years of division among our people!
15 years of hatred and 15 years wasted!
Oh and 15 years of literature and poetic lines by the honorable Lennox Linton!
Oh boy! I’m so tired aren’t you?
We are one Dominica let’s do what’s right together and waste no more years in hatred for each other!!!!
Is the real reason behind this electoral reform or destabilization in the party? Because electoral reform can not cause members of a party to resign. As the Bible says a house divided among itself can not stand. If this party is already divided how will it be able to lead the country?
Many of these parties like to make every issue a labor issue or a Roosevelt Skerrit issue.
The pm have contested 5 elections and won all 5. He have the constitutional right to call an election within 5 years which is what he did. If we are calling for change what better time to do so than now? Now the time has come, we say no electoral reform, no election?
It seems the advocate for change need to practice what they preach and do deeper study about Dominica’s constitution before forming a party.
My 2 cents!
All you not easy eh (said with the DA twang).
Quite frankly, this is just the kind of mess that Skerro looking for. This is exactly why he remains in power. Everyone else cannot seem to have their ducks in a row and all man/woman stay in line. How the hell you people expect to be the ones to remove him from power. Try again!!! Get your act together. Skerro needs a Formidable opposition – not no damn cat fight tout temp!!!!! Get it together people!!!!
In answer to your statement, no election without electoral reform.
No election without electoral reform. Very simple!
Politics is a big man thing, too many no brainers in Dominica and around the Carribbean think that they could easily be a good politician all because they see Dr.Pm Skerrit, makes it looks easy to the eyes, in real terms it is not so. My advice to you Julius Corbette, and others go to University learn the rules about Politics and how it’s run Julius Corbette, ugly Lenny, and useless so-called workers party clowns are much too old most of you guys are knocking on the gate of Hell.
Miriam said that Skerritt was advancing his own personal and selfish political agenda and she disrespects the political leader of the APP to advance her own agenda in joining Skerritt and the unjust election. I’ve always pointed out that Miriam was a sly fox, she looks like one too, and should not be trusted. According to her action to hell with party structure and protocols, I’ve waited too long for Skerritt to reward me and now is my chance and no matter what the President of the party says, I’m going to do as I please. Can you imagine that type of behavior if the APP we’re to be successful at the polls? The 11th commandment says ” If you break the 10 commandments,don’t be found out”. Miriam you broke the norms of respectful and civil behavior and double crossed the leader, so you have been found out as pursuing your personal and selfish political agenda.
Are you talking about Miriam Blanchard the new candidate for Roseau North? Or Tahira Banchard the APP leader?
You confused man Y.StJean. What or Who you referring to nuh.?
The only true and serious political party in Dominica is DLP.Durand,Blessings,Matt and Baptiste backstabbing Linton.Jno Baptiste backstabbing Linton for money for legal representation.Bruno backstabbing APP.APP buckstabbing TUD.All of them is one commess.A group of hungry for power losers.
After first stating, #1 – “a very deceptive manner.”
She then goes on to say, #2 – “there can be absolutely no justification or reasoning for calling such elections in the national interest, but clearly to advance his own personal and selfish political agenda.”
She is still prepared to take part. Therefore, one can reasonable conclude that #2 could also apply to her.
You did great Uncle.
No Electoral Reform, No Election.
Well done, Sir. No election without electoral reform.
Well if no opposing party or independent nominates people to contest the current DLP they will win by default, and yes there won’t be an ‘election’ and they would end up winning by default. Technically what Skerrit has done isn’t illegal, but it is wrong and unfair to the Dominican population he flat out lied about electoral reform, claiming that the next election will be held after it was conducted.
Miriam blanchard and tahira blanchard, are they related in anyway?? just asking…
Does it matter? both of them working in the interest of Skerrit. Both of them ambitious and greedy.
Yes the are cousins just check the forehead no offence.
That is the thing. IF we all work together anything is possible. But there will alwasy be those who are greedy and have their own agendas who will compramise the plan. This has alwasy been our problem. For example, slaves want to have a revolution to gain their freedom, house negros running to the master and telling of their plans hoping to get an extra dumpling in their plate. I agree with Mr. Corbette, if a decision was made, why go against the grain to only look stupid. but i know their plan, to fleece the government of a salary from being the opposition regardless of the greater good. I salute you Mr. Corbette. That was a move of great integrity.
Thanks for your integrity Mr Corbette… I seem to have misread you before, (I DO APOLOGISE), because you are showing that you do have Dominica at heart, and you are still proudly wearing morality, integrity and good governance as your guiding principles!!
WELL DONE SIR!!!