The contest for the position of political leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) is now between Clement Marcellin and Dr. Thomson Fontaine as Dr. griffin Benjamin has dropped out of the race. He made the announcement last night on the UWP ‘Workers Voice’ programme on Q95 Radio.
So, on Sunday November 27, the United Workers Party, at its delegates conference to be held at the Goodwill Parish Hall, will elect either Thomson Fontaine (UWP candidate in Grand Fond/Riviere Cyrique in the 2019 general election) or Clement Marcellin (UWP candidate in Vieille Case in the 2019 general election) to replace former political leader Lennox Linton, who resigned at the end of September this year.
As a result of Dr. Benjamin’s withdrawal, this poll has been modified to reflect the fact that the contest will now be between Dr. Thomson Fontaine and Clement Marcellin.
Note however, that based on the Constitution of the United Workers Party, nominations may still be entertained from the floor at the delegates conference.
If you’d like to indicate the reason(s) for your choice, you may do so in the comments section of this story or on the DNO Facebook page.
The results will be announced on Saturday, November 26.
Please note that this is not a scientific poll and is not intended to predict the result of the election for political leadership of the UWP.
Who do you think is the best candidate for political leader of the UWP?
- Clement Marcellin (57%, 404 Votes)
- Dr. Thomson Fontaine (43%, 299 Votes)
Total Voters: 723
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Uwp is making a great mistake by not seeking a leader in one of their Strongholes .. They will captitalise on that momentum and rebuid the party …
Without this been done it adds insult to injury .., Rebuilding of the party needs more involvement , a vibrant yourh arm of the party , involvement in community building etc ..
I would vote for Clement Marcellin, because there’s something great about Vieille Case, in producing great political leaders, and there’s something special about Honorable Senator Clement Marcellin, especially when he debates in parliament he does not oppose just for opposing sake and he does not take part in character assassination.
Interestingly today a DLP candidate’ main squeeze was telling a labour friend of mines to go on DNO and vote Clemo
. I don’t have a dog in this race but I was wondering why and started laughing. Boy politics sure is a dirty game 
Oh my God! See them fight! This is Dominica and I knew this “Silly” question would garner many responses. But see what the people are saying? Skeritt love you see you get together in a Pen and fight. This country is in very serious trouble politically; The “Journalists on the island are afraid to ask Skeritt any serious questions concerning anything. But here you have DNO asking who is the best candidate. I don’t understand it one bit. That’s a question a child would ask. All you finish ehh in Dominica. Skeritt is staying focused on his next move, whilst the rest you are splintering. Go an sleep tan and let Skeritt light fire under all you boom boom 💥
The uwp needs to be bold as skerrit move away from the norm and elect Clement forget about experience bra bra bra and do things ron win!!!
I personally don’t think much of the two, but that so-called Dr Thompson Fontaine, is a Viper crawling around the world in search for money and a fish in his pocket, this guy should not to be trusted as a leader of clowns.
Although this poll is open to everyone and I know for a fact that laborites voted for their UWP candidate, let me take this opportunity to warn UWP especially our leaders and those that will be voting on Sunday that they must be very careful how they vote this time because our party is going through a very challenging time. So let’s not make the mistake we made when Mr Edison James resigned as party leader and instead of passing the baton to the only person that was ready and capable to lead our party, they put it in the hand of a young man that had no qualifications to lead and the rest is history. I am saying if Julius Timothy was made leader of our party I have no doubt that UWP would have gotten a 2nd look. Since then we seem to be getting from bad to worse.
While I will not say who I will endorse I believe we all know who is the one candidate in this race that has the experience and ready to lead our part and country at this time and we should elect him unchallenged on Sunday.
Doctor Fontaine though would be a good prime minster I do not think he will be able to bring new voters across to the party. His qualifications in that case does not matter. What is needed is someone who can appeal to new voters. Clement may be the man.
But Linton’s mattered en. Scaredy chicken, you are afraid of him so you support the weaker candidate who cannot win his constituency.
Thankfully🙏🙏 the people voting in this poll are not voting on Sunday. Phew😮💨.
It’s time we get serious about the governance of our country. Just saying.
Who cares who is leader,UWP will never rise again.Fountain already have a 2014 election defeat against him.As we can see Fontaine cannot get the majority of Dominicans to follow or even listen to him.He has been in the leadership of UWP for years and in demonstration after demonstration.Fontaine is an old head in UWP.Same BS just a different day.
I am shocked and appalled that Benjamin is even a consideration. That man is a twisted megalomaniac. Surely you all do not forget he was Skerritt fave weapon only a few years back. He can only be with the opposition for whatever power it may gain him. Beware.
Dr Fontaine would have been a good choice as the leader of the United Workers Party as my opinion and Mr Marcelline would be the next kin in line…
Fontaine has been in the struggles on field with the supporters showing their disgust against Skerrit..
That’s why Skerrit wants him in Jail.
I voted hands down for Thomson because there shouldn’t be a poll to decide who is the most qualified person for this job. It is quite obvious that Dr Fontaine would be the most qualified to be Prime Minister if he was in the right party. Once Skerrit calls it a day, if Labor party cannot come up with a suitable candidate to replace him, Dr Fontaine would be my preferred choice if he had the right Party behind him. It would be in his interest to defect from UWP to Labor for that to happen. Can someone please send him the memo.
Although I am hoping that Dr Thompson Fontaine is selected leader by the UWP delegates I admire that the workers party has some resemblance of a party convention that gives power to the members as opposed not the skerrit family party. Labour delegates in their respective constituencies have absolutely no power over who is selected to represent them as those decisions are made by one man only.
The DLP continues to attempt to appoint the next UWP leader. They realise that one of their greatest strength over the past few years was Lennox Linton. They know very well that Vince or even Skerrit cannot standup against Dr. Fountain, so from Peter Wickham to their host of acolytes on Facebook and other platform (including this poll) they are trying desperately to influence the minds of the delegates to select Clement.
Dr. Fountain is obviously an erudite person, quite capable, but he’s not a dynamic orator. He is monotonous, not a motivator.
Admitted he is not a rebel rouser Ibo but he also not a megalomaniac. He has a proven record of fixing failing economies internationally and someone we need right now not someone who just make a lot of noise and preaches war. I don’t want us to end up like Haiti Ibo, sorry.
You don’t have to be loud and obnoxious to be motivational. Obama is calm and cool but has great motivation influence whenever he speaks.
If you are suffering from insomnia, sit down and listen t a speech from Dr. Contains in fifteen minutes you would e snoring and dreaming.
He will most likey make a great finance minister, but a convincing, persausive, inspirational leader, he is not. I could be wrong but that’s my brutally honest opinion.
None of that lot they all are rubbish here today gone tomorrow, my prime minister Dr Skerrit, will steal be kicking their backsides in the guttering, and out of here!!
Interestingly @ man bite dog says and I quote “my prime minister Dr Skerrit, will steal …”. So no matter what we do Man bites dog believes is telling us that Dr Skerrit will still STEAL his way out
Dogman, you realise of course that one day your PM, the fake Dr. Will be gone too. It is the fate of all men and women and no one knows what day that will be.
Dog Abuser, you sure know your idol Roosevelt very well like the palm of your hand. We honest people know he has chained himself to that obscene ‘S’ word. CBI money, elections, the consolidated funds are all victims of the ‘S’ word.
16,424 to be exact,and DLP 23,587.A difference of seven thousand one hundred sisty- three(7,163) votes.Now that UWP is out of the picture,it is smooth sailing.The Clown has always mentaimed LIN-TON is a CLOWN,hence the name Lin Clown.
7000 imported votes, dead votes,doouble votes. you already say skerrit will STEAL. So we can see why he doesnt want reform thank you for confirming
Thompson Fountain is the more qualified candidate and has a better chance to win his seat as Clement has a tall task in unsearing Skerritt. The Morne Jaune constituency is a more marginal constituency; even with imported voters, Thompson was in striking distance.
Skerrit’s agents stirring it again. This decision is for the delegates at the conference to make and Skerrit operators trying to stir kaka is just a diversion. Of course we all can give our opinion in a free society and I would caution that what happen to us tells us that youth alone does not cut it and dimples fade. What we need is someone, man or woman with experience and a proven record and international respect. This is not a beauty contest.
@Toto – Yup, selecting someone purely on the basis of youth to critical positions is absolute madness.
I want to know which person from The “Give the Young Man a Chance” brigade would plead for/opt for the youngest medical doctor who just graduated from medical school to perform a complex medical procedure or surgery on them instead of a more experienced doctor.
I’d like to know which person from The “Give the Young Man a Chance” brigade would plead for/opt for the youngest & most recent graduate from pilot school to fly a plane with them onboard on a long haul flight through bad weather instead of an experienced pilot.
Yet, in Dominica with something so critical as the livelihoods & real life of people, gullible people are uttering this nonsense again about ‘Give a Young Man a chance.’ Obviously, some people have not yet learned anything over the past 17 years about what happens when you give a young(er) person a chance JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUNG(ER).
You are making a lot of sense,but Dr.Thompson Fontaine has not told Dominicans the reason WHY he believe his $10,000 US monthly contract was not renewed with IMF.He has not told Dominicans why the land at Rosalie given to DASS on behalf of the Dominican PEOPLE,ended up in his name.
Man, that allegation so old it growing fungus. If you have any concrete evidence present it. Otherwise shut up. Thank you.
Nothing is too old when someone what to hold the highest position in the country, If someone has skeletons in their closet don’t fight for leadership.
It’s disingenuous to say that UWP boycotted the election based on 20 callers…It’s a fat LIE!
The decision to boycott the election was the most popular decision ever taken by the party since its formation in 1988….So stop your blatant lies…Even real labourites support it.
Yes i agree with you that Dr Fontaine is the man, but stop being a MISCHIEVOUS LIAR!!!
Labourites should not vote
I’m not there to judge God knows the most honest person among them and Father Lord let him be the winning candidate. PS If Fontaine is not honest with the DASS issue he should reconsider.
Sanctimonious creep, yes we have those too.
Luca please you should never post on DNO while drunk. Hope u ain’t driving also bonne
Hahaha, I hear a lady say Clemo want to take the party from marigot and bring it to vielle case/penville so all political parties will be under the control of Dr. Skerrit.
If Clement Marceline is elected leader l would consider UWP is sold to Roosevelt Skerrit like the freedom party under Charles Savarin. We would not have one single plan and strategy that Skerrit wouldn’t know about. DNO you should call Roosevelt Skerrit and ask him who he would want to be party leader of UWP and I bet he would vote for thean he already has in his back pocket
Oh DNO you should say that only laborites should take part in this poll and I bet you labor would all vote for Clemo. So let the laborites choose our leader for us as they forced Lennox Linton out
@Same me – I have strong suspicions that sleeper agents & propaganda specialists of the other side are trying to sway the more gullible elements in the UWP into shouting for Clement to be made the UWP party leader at this time. There is potential in Clement but now is not the right time.
My suspicions were further strengthened that operatives of the other side may very well be at work when I saw Clement being interviewed as a guest on a show on a certain radio station recently – a radio station that has over the years seemingly been extremely reluctant and near inaccessible to members of the opposition in terms of getting their views heard freely on that station.
I’m positive that this development was not a mistake.
The “Give the Young Man a Chance” narrative is not a UWP ideological belief nor should it be the ideology of anybody with basic common sense. We all know for whom & from where that ideological narrative was originally created.
UWP, my party would be again making a serious mistake if they don’t elect Dr Thompson Fontane as party leader. In fact as soon as Linton foolishly resigned they should have called an emergency meeting and elect Dr Fontane as leader so we could be in the December 6 election. But for some unknown reason the backward thinking UWP heads took a decision to boycott the election on the basis of those 20 callers that calling q95 programs while the majority of us, the 16000 plus voters of 2019 were not consulted or polled like DNO is doing today. In my opinion all those backward thinking leaders and board of trustees of UWP must go if we are going to regroup and build back our party
UWP would be making a serious mistake to vote Thompson. Skerrit would finish daycalay him about his bankrupt background, IMF firing him and DAAS. The public would not rally with him either. You have your opinion and the public has theirs. I come in peace
Garbage!!! Skerrit criticizes everyone except Skerrit!!
Linton has never recovered from the daycarlay.
Hear dat? De empty-headed monster is back talking nonsense!
Look now you want to start a fire In UWP. You must be a labor or nuts. Go for your cool out. No Reform No Election.
@Broken, I am not a follower of the United Workers Party, but I agree with your comment. Those men are not thinking straight, the reason their party continue to fail so badly.
And even if I am a strong Laborite, I would like know that we have a strong Opposition to the ruling Government on its guard. I don’t really favor an 18-3 seats, far more for 21-0. This kind of situation causes a lot of discord and despair among the people.
Here, you claim that UWP has (16000), but it is only 3 days before the day they go to choose a new leader, how can the people choose that young guy from Viellecase, who seems to have been silent from since the last election?
He wants to be the leader of the Party, but what was his opinion about the “snap election” on December 06?
That is part of the work of a person who is vying for a Leadership role, especially where “government” of the “Country” is concerned isn’t it?
Stay out of our business, Hypocrite! Go and advise your Labour Party. But even Skerrit doesn’t want to listen to you. Mash!
For a sso called christian you continue to lie in the public. Lady God is watching. Remember you can fool us on earth but he sees and hears all. Go take your pills lady alas!
Why blame Lennox Linton for ‘foolishly’ resigning according to you? The man was given a covert ultimatum to step down as leader. Now pandemonium and division in the party as to the choice of the new leader.
You know what is bemusing? Many UWP supporters are now blaming Mr. Linton for the void of leadership and direction in the party. Damn if you do, damn if you don’t. I knew this day was coming.
So @ IBO you want me to blame you for the foolish resignation of Hon Linton and the things he said during his 8 minute fb statement?
Leaders are being pressured all the time no matter the field. I was and still consider myself a strong supporter of Me Linton. But to just wake up one day and resign from it party forthwith and 2 days later go on fb page accusing those among you who wanted to lead the party as enemies with in I’ll io and backstabbers is wise? Couldn’t he just have said that he wouldn’t seek reelection without publicly talking about what’s happening inside? Don’t we all know now that the ministers Skerrit fired didn’t like his style of leadership? But did Skerrit publicly call them enemies from within?
In cricket we all criticized Phil Simmons and Pooran and asked for them to àou I’llresign. Although they both finally resign did any of their go on fb to attack others? Mr Linton’s foolish resignation caused a lot of pain to me and many who understand politics…
A successful political party needs strong teamwork. When the executive of your party undermines and withdraws their support from the leader, you have no legs to stand on. The only way is out only a megalomaniac will stay on and try to delay the inevitable.
The UWP has severely injured themselves. An election of this nature will inevitably stir division from within the rank and file of the party . This is a crucial time for the UWP to be one, powerful, united force.
Whether the party supporters want to accept it or not, a fierce contest for power from within an organization hardly ever leads to positive outcomes.
One of the easiest ways to move from rags to riches is by gaining political power. Roosevelt is the perfect example of this. A man who could not afford to purchase a used bicycle is now the richest civil servant in the Caribbean. The country has too many political aspirants and too little social activists and advocates.
Money and power are the motivating factors for this rush for political relevancy. The genuine wellbeing of the masses is of little or no significance to these political combatants.
The Leader of the Dominica Freedom party i.e., if he intends to join the UWP, next would-be Dr. Fontaine and then Annette Sanford. Period.
Anette Sanford. But it’s a mute question as the UWP iw now a eead duck.
My first choice is Lennox Linton to continue (if he wishes). Somebody, nominate Lennox during the delegates conference please thanks.
If Lennox does not want to continue, then Dr Thomson Fontaine should be given the go-ahead for party leader with Clement as Deputy (to serve as an understudy for a few years……following which he would be better prepared and ready to be the party leader).