Dr. Benjamin drops out of race for leadership of UWP

Just three days before the United Workers Party (UWP) delegates conference, Dr. Griffin Benjamin, one of three contenders for the leadership position of the party, has rescinded his nomination.

On Thursday night, Dr. Benjamin made the revelation while speaking as a guest on the UWP radio show ‘Workers Voice’ on Q95 radio.

He contends that his withdrawal will give the party the best chance in dealing with the present situation in Dominica.

Dr. Benjamin who became a member of the party in 2005, revealed that in June of this year, the UWP’s Wesley Constituency Association selected him as their candidate to contest the next general election.

He admitted however, that following the Lennox Linton resignation as the party’s leader in September, “I was approached by several other members across the country to consider the role of leading the party.”

“After further discussion with them and my family, I decided that I could be of service to the party and to the country at the highest level,” he added.

While he lauded the oppositions decision to not participate in what he dubbed a “corrupt election”, the psychiatrist holds the view that Dominica has suffered 18 years of bad leadership by the Skerrit led administration.

“This has brought our nation to its knees. The Prime Minister has no respect for the democratic norms and values. Far too many Dominicans have lost all hope and do not believe that we can do anything to stop our country from further collapse,” Dr. Benjamin expressed.

He said the time has come for a new leader to emerge, for someone special to deliver a fresh message of hope to the nation, and he felt he was the most qualified candidate for the position.

“Now, after witnessing firsthand the psychological and emotional abuse, the deprivation and the indignity that people suffer under this Dominica Labour Party government, all issues that I have dealt with in my professional career, I became convinced, and I believe that my candidacy for leadership is best suited for this moment in time and it presents a bright perspective on the way forward for this country,” he contends.

However, in an apparent allusion to the reasons behind the withdrawal of his nomination, Dr. Benjamin stated, “Unfortunately, politics has many unpleasant faces and political campaigns can lead to massive political divisions. Therefore, I decided that it is in the best interest of my family and of our party, the United Workers Party, that I withdraw my candidacy for political leader at the upcoming delegates conference.”

Dr. Benjamin insists that the candidate who wins at the party’s delegates conference on Sunday will need the delegates’ resounding backing, and he has extended his hand to the eventual winner.

He further vowed to remain committed to the work started in the Wesley constituency.

“I want the  people of Wesley, Woodfordhill and Palm Tree to know that this is not a withdrawal from representing them my people,” he stressed. “I’ve already committed myself in a meeting we had on Tuesday, where they voted massively for me to continue as the  candidate in the constituency and I promise that I will be there for them and we will develop our constituency and deal with some of the main issues bothering the people in that area.”

On account of Dr. Benjamin’s withdrawal, the two remaining candidates who have publicly stated their intention to vie for the UWP top position are Clement Marcellin and Dr. Thomson Fontaine. Dominica News Online understands that based on the party’s constitution, nominations could still be made from the floor at the delegates conference.

The UWP’s delegates conference is carded for November 27, 2022, at the Goodwill Parish Hall from 1:30 p.m.

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20 Comments

  1. Lin clown
    November 26, 2022

    Marcellin can never and will never be leader of UWP.UWP is a Marigot party.UWP is 34 years old,Edison James ruled from 1988 to 2005.Lennox Linton was handpicked by James although a political novice,ruled from 2014 to 2022.These two Marigot men ruled UWP for 26 of 34.8 years of UWP existence was shared between 3 foreigners.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      November 30, 2022

      You are one of those people who are very territorial, that you are bomb and blinded to the fact that Thomson is not from the North of the island, and indeed Roosevelt Skerrit the domineering of more than twenty years is not from Marigot.

      The late E.O. Leblanc and Roosevelt are from the same village Oliver Serafine, and Charles, were not from Marigot either!

      Your mind is poisonous; you are filled with hate, that is why truth evades you Lennox yell the leadership for another with the hope Roosevelt will be defeated, and Dominica once again will return to the days when there was employment.

      Clown and all of you who like Roosevelt and keep on voting him into power you are the cause of our nation poverty!

      Can’t you people see as long as Roosevelt rules Dominica will remain the same!

      ” Dominicans will do as Roosvelt want” (Ralph Gonsalez).
      Clown simple as Ralphs words are, he has brand us all foolish people to have tolerated Roosevelt for so long, and that is in reference…

  2. elizabethlxavier
    November 25, 2022

    “Unfortunately, politics has many unpleasant faces and political campaigns can lead to massive political divisions”

    And that is the reason you and yours are so blind to the good works that is being done in Dominica. For all of you it is about politics–the reason you all cannot decide what must be nor recognize what is being done, but Dominicans knows and they can see.

    You claim to the best man to lead the United Workers Party to lead Dominica and her people towards “the devils knows what” as at the same time you claim that politics is your weapon, which causes nothing less than discord, despair, and disdain, among the people, when they are lead by nothing but your policies.

    Thanks to God the majority of Dominicans are not into your political jamboree, where the hustle and wars are ignited, continuing to its lowest deficiency. Go ahead and do your politics with your own.

    Dominicans know what they are doing and are doing it right; take that in!

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 4 Thumb down 11
    • Braindamage
      November 26, 2022

      Ezy, say 2 our fathers and 2 and a half Haily Mary then fly in the night again…

  3. Danziger
    November 25, 2022

    Well look mangé CONGO mix with mangé chon chon. The man from the west WARM the BOM, Labour Party burst the BOM,BOOM,BOOM and the ashes spread all over. Now is meprix by here CHALEUR on you all call the old fasion PASTOR, for peace.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 8
    • me
      November 26, 2022

      You need to learn basic writing skills.
      Stop writing like an insane head!

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
  4. mine
    November 25, 2022

    So Thompson did not get enough of voter to be nominated that’s a slap in the face. Benjamin will be nominated for another position.

  5. Whywhywhy
    November 25, 2022

    And the drama continues with Dominica and Dominicans being held hostage. If we are unable to agree on small matters, how can we be trusted with the affairs of a country.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
  6. Lin clown
    November 25, 2022

    You may be right but we remember what happened to Julius Timothy,Ronald Isidore,Joshua Francis and most recently Lennox Linton.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
  7. Ibo France
    November 25, 2022

    I reiterate that the circumstances leading to this divisive internal leadership contest were ill-advised. This eagerness to oust the duly elected leader by backstabbing and smearing was not helpful.

    Even though some supporters thought that the party needed an injection of vigor, and a new direction, Mr. Linton was returned to the pole position unopposed. In less than a year, a set of misguided, foolhardy hypocrites banded together and carried out a palace coup.

    Now divisiveness has infiltrated the party. Healing has to take place. Broken organisms take time to mend.

    Mr. Linton is not UWP’s problem. The electoral system is. Dr. Fontaine will make no inroads as long as the electoral system remains mired in corruption.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 3
    • Google
      November 27, 2022

      But Dr IP why don’t you throw you head in the ring. It’s not too late .

    • Peeping Tom
      November 27, 2022

      “Mr. Linton is not UWP’s problem. The electoral system is. Dr. Fontaine will make no inroads as long as the electoral system remains mired in corruption.”

      And yet, it is the same electoral system through which UWPwee won in 1995 and continued to win seats, paving its place in successive Parliaments. The system was not so “mired,” was it? Or, maybe it was serendipity that worked for UWPwee? See how easy your argument looks preposterous?

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  8. Lin clown
    November 25, 2022

    Another big UWP liar.(1)His party has boycotted the 2022 election,so his chances of winning the Wesley seat is Zero.(2)Based on what he is seeing,he know even if he is elected he will be a leader with no say in Parliament.Bengeman was not born yesterday,he know what Dominican politics is all about.Unfortunately politics have many unpleasant faces.During the 2019 election campaign,even while working for the government,he was one of those who savaged Skerrit.Now he is talking about “I decided that in the best interest of my family”.Where was his family when he decided to run for leadership?Bengeman(local talk)know everything that is wrong with Dominica,yet he is running away from the responsibility of fixing it.These guys call themselves PATRIOTS,just like the prodigal sons in the USA.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 7 Thumb down 9
    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      November 29, 2022

      “.Bengeman”

      Clown I cannot believe you don’t know how to spell the name “Benjamin.”

      His name is not Bengeman, unless he changed it to that last night; but as far as I know he was born Griffin Benjamin to a woman the late Eugine Robin Benjamin, and a father the late Elford Benjamin.

      Now Elford Benjamin the late mother Florie Telemaque was my biological aunt, Griffin and I grew up next door, though I have a few years on him. I left in 1962 but remember when the same Edison James told his father Elford that Griffin has the potential to become a medical doctor.

      Don’t say much about him because you don’t know him. It’s been a while since I saw him in person but was told by a family member that as many sons he has, they are all medical doctors. in addition to a daughter who is a lawyer.
      If he decides to contest the Wesley constituency, that is an open and shut case, the people of Wesley will vote for him!

  9. Toto
    November 25, 2022

    Dr. Benjamin has every right to withdraw and in a democratic society we must respect his decision, which is his alone to make. Good luck Dr.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 0
  10. If we knew better
    November 25, 2022

    sour grapes. Another one that got a bad taste from all the milk and honey. Nope not you Sir. too many of us think a lack of loyalty is ok. stay where you were.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 2 Thumb down 19
  11. Facts
    November 25, 2022

    DNO – There were only 2 contenders for the Party’s delegates. Dr. Benjamin and Mr Marcellin.

    Dr Fontaine is campaigning, presumably he will be nominated from the floor at the delegates convention – others will be nominated as well from the floor. However the party’s constituency associations (all 21) voted at its Nomination and Dr Benjamin and Mr Marcellin received the top votes. Dr Fontaine did not receive sufficient votes to be selected at nomination.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 7
    • Putin
      November 25, 2022

      Thank you very much! The public needs to know.

    • Toto
      November 26, 2022

      Fact, it is the delegates conference that elects a party leader and not the constituency associations.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0

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