The Government of Dominica has announced its intention to honour the late Alix Boyd-Knights, former Speaker of the House of Assembly, with a state funeral. The Dominican attorney, women’s and children’s rights advocate, who served as Speaker from 2000 to 2020 and subsequently named Speaker Emeritus, passed away at her residence on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.
Speaking at a news conference this morning, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit stated that during her extensive tenure as Speaker of the House of Assembly, which is the longest in Dominica’s history, Boyd-Knights approached her responsibilities with “passion and dedication.”
“She was firm, no-nonsense, and insisted on upholding strict parliamentary procedures and the rules of the house,” he stated.
Skerrit added that her leadership style, both as the House’s chair and as the head of the parliamentary Women’s Association, exemplified the strength and resilience women bring to leadership positions.
The prime minister further revealed that Boyd-Knights devoted a significant portion of her life to championing women’s rights and safeguarding the welfare of children in society adding that she collaborated with the government for years, advocating for the enhancement of laws concerning domestic violence, child maintenance, and children’s rights.
“And I daresay she was very successful in this endeavour,” he remarked. “And I’m happy that we’re able to bring five family protection laws to the Parliament during her lifetime in April 2023.”
In his capacity as Prime Minister, Skerrit expressed his deep personal and professional admiration for Boyd-Knights. He lauded her counsel and support, highlighting her role as a valued colleague and advisor not only to him but also to the Dominica Labour Party (DLP).
“I treasured her sound advice on political matters. And I’m thankful for her support of me and my colleagues over many years. I extend most heartfelt condolences to her family, her children, and her grandson senator, Phillip Rolle, who now serves as Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly,” the head of government stated.
“As a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, she will be accorded a state funeral and I am departing from the norm,” he added. “Because of the high regard and her contribution to the country for over 20 years as Speaker of the House of Assembly.”
According to the prime minister, the government of Dominica will provide further details on these arrangements at a subsequent date.
“Firm and no nonsense person” that’s a joke right?
The DLP has gotten away with so much nonsense, and she facilitated it in the name pf party, not country. May she RIP.
She was a corrupt individual, the same as her political Master. End of story!
You know one must be very careful when it comes to tagging or accusing others of things such as corrupted.
I know that in Dominica, most layers, and politicians, are bloody thieves, very dishonest especially the very old ones; and although that lady was in her early 80’s I’ve yet to hear anyone she served as a lawyer complained about her practice.
If I am not mistaken, I think she was an Real Estate lawyer: And even if she became involved with the father of corruption, Roosevelt Skerrit, that damn thi.., I doubt anybody have a reason to tag that lady a corrupted person.
Now if you want to say she was one sided in the parliament, and ruled against the opposition; I tend to agree with you, and though I did not like how she treated my cousin Lennox Linton, of which I made it know to her, I like her.
One of the reasons I like her, is that as much hell people gave her; I suffered the same; I also conveyed that to her via a relative of mine, when she ask him who am I, after reading me.
That’s expected and Skerrit’s description of her is also expected. However those will not forgive her sins against the country and that sure will not give her a ride by angels to the Bosom of Abraham. Her official funeral will take her just where the rich man that died together with Lazarus ended. She, Skerrit, Charles Savarin, Blackmore, Austrie and others helped destroy Dominica. The only thing that is certain is, she will not be part of the investigation and she won’t pay for for what she did. But those that will be alive on that big day will ask for the rocks to fall on them but they won’t
Very funny. When did God appointed us to be a JUDGE on people’s salvation? My goodness the stupidness that we write. One clear observation is that Abraham’s side when Jesus referred to Abraham He was giving his followers the highest example of a person they would know was in heaven Matthgew 22:31-32 .. Jesus was clear that Abraham was in heaven with God Being with Abraham was a clear indication that a person was in heaven. Lazarus for example. He was carried by the angels. Abraham’s bosom is a reference to going to heaven. Abraham Side was part of the after life. Abraham’s Side was a place of Comfort. It is either Heaven or Hell that’s all that is offered in the bible. So let us work our own salvation with fear and tremble. Let us tell people about Heaven and Hell because Hell was not made for people but for the devil and his angels. Dont be surprised that she made it in and is with Jesus. Who are we to put people in HELL..