New opposition leader pledges to work with government during her term in office

Jesma Paul Victor, the new opposition leader, with President Charles Savarin

Newly sworn-in opposition leader, Jesma Paul Victor, has pledged to work with the Government of Dominica throughout her term in office to bring progress to both her constituency and the nation by extension.

The comments of the parliamentary representative for the Salisbury constituency  came after she took the oath of office before his Excellency Charles A Savarin, President of Dominica at the Statehouse on December 20, 2022.

“I believe that if we want anything for our constituency, we need to work together with the government,” she said. “We can’t get anything by ourselves. Therefore, I am prepared to work with them so we can get things for our constituency and moreover the country.”

Mrs Victor made known that she and Anthony Charles, another independent candidate who won the Marigot constituency in the general election on December 6, will, in the first instance, alternately share the role of opposition leader for 18 months each.

The new opposition leader described the occasion as a “once in a lifetime moment,” and stated that one of her top priorities is to become familiar with Dominica’s Constitution and the House of Assembly’s Standing Orders.

The demands of her constituents are also on the new politicians’ top agenda as she believes that many of their urgent needs have gone unmet for far too long.

Additionally, she has expressed excitement about following in the footsteps of Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, Dominica’s first female prime minister and opposition leader.

“She was an iron lady and had a good principle and I would like to continue that way,” the Salisbury MP declared.

While Mrs Victor acknowledged that she had identified two individuals that she would like to nominate as senators—Charles has to chose the other two—she kept the identity of these candidates a secret and said that she would like to present the names to the President of Dominica before releasing them to the media.

Regarding her her future in politics, the Salisbury resident who confessed that she never envisioned becoming a politician, said she is leaving this option up to the people of her constituency to decide whether they would like her to once again represent them in parliament.

The mother of five, who expressed sadness that her mother, who passed away earlier this year, could not have been present to witness the occasion, went on to convey her gratitude to the members of her constituency and her team, for entrusting her to the position.

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16 Comments

  1. Ibo France
    December 22, 2022

    Anyone who knows the corrupt and lying ways of the autocratic ruler but still pledges to work with him CANNOT be trusted.

    This man lied about the coup, the national birds, the whereabouts of the CBI billions, leaving his present residence and relieving the tax payers of $768 000 per year ($2 304 000 thus far).

    He has referred to Dominicans as hungry and stupid. Told his volatile supporters to harass opposition candidates and douse them with hot water. Ordered tear gassing of a community of sleeping babies, elderly women and men, everybody. UNCONSCIONABLE!

    His personal militia which disguises itself as a police service has beaten protesters senseless, even an elderly mother was brutalized. The members of this same military force have bludgeoned unarmed civilians in their custody to their untimely demise.

    How can anyone with even a modicum of decency could vow to cooperate with this maniacal narcissist?

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 7
  2. Look how we come
    December 22, 2022

    Folks are complaining about 20 plus years. Papa met! Look Father Thomas anointed and compared Skerrit to King David, while Pastor Augustine worship Skerrit’s feet. Dominicans we hear but don’t listen, we will have to wait 40 years in the wilderness, like the Egyptians people before we are set free from the bondage of dependency. :)

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 7 Thumb down 4
  3. Danziger
    December 21, 2022

    Chase those CRAZY ball head out of the house, all LAZY FINYEN out of the KAZ.

  4. Ibo France
    December 21, 2022

    Nothing changes people more than power, especially political power. This political novice will be enticed by Roosevelt and his cronies. She will quickly succumb to his offers.

    Politicians become overly excited and stupefied with power. The opposition leader might even cross the floor. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 8 Thumb down 6
  5. Lin clown
    December 21, 2022

    It is not only Linton,Spraggs and Lugay.It is the stupidity of some UWP supporters who does not understand UWP was kicked out of office because of corruption,victimization,lies and greed.If Skerrit was corrupt the PEOPLE would remove him just as they did UWP.For 6 (2000-2022)elections UWP has been barking corruption,$4.8 billion and electoral reform,the people are not listening.Lot of damage how?the majority of the Dominican people has never voted UWP,and the record is there to show.The government does not need Salisbury,Salisbury needs the government to move forward.The election is a 19 DLP 2 Independent.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 7 Thumb down 17
    • Braindamage
      December 22, 2022

      Clown depression will finish you.
      Find out from your PM if there will be fuel for Christmas… and maybe beyond…

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
  6. JAH KAL
    December 21, 2022

    Yes!!!!!! she would like to work with the government ,but is the one man government want to work with her ? if for 22years you never help the constituency is now you will help. The only thing you did for them was tear gas the people and have all the farmers in court for stand for their farm roads. Every time these guys have to deal with a salisbury rep is like they mad ,see that, a young lady is taking her oath and see savarin face . Savarin, skerrit ,thats a thorn from salisbury you all have to deal with if not, you know exactly where you all gonna feel it or Chou Powle where it hurt. Salisbury can never forget you Skerrit, their prayers a working you have to pay for what you did to them.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 15
    • Observer
      December 22, 2022

      Forget him ? They stone the police so what they’re supposed to do? Say the Hail Mary? In big countries that’s a death sentence, y’all sound soo dumb talking smh

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 3 Thumb down 6
  7. Zara
    December 21, 2022

    All i want for Christmas is for the 2 independent candidates to nominate the 2 former representatives for their constituencies in the last parliament as Senators, wouldn’t that be entertaining? I would love to hear the UWP supporters reaction after they were told to boycott the election or spoil their ballots, now the 2 losers are being sworn in, this would really be a great Christmas gift to me, Ha, Ha Ha. Sorry it is Christmas i should have said Ho, Ho Ho.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 16
  8. Now UWPWEE
    December 21, 2022

    What a slap on the face of UWP…all hope is gone. Take that Spags “I believe that if we want anything for our constituency, we need to work together with the government…”
    Spags is she saying that the reason you and others couldn’t get anything done for your constituency was because you all didn’t work with the government? That’s pretty clear to me though

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 15 Thumb down 16
  9. My little take
    December 21, 2022

    No doubt I am hurting but I bet Linton, Spags, Lugay and management of the UWP are eating themselves for their stupidity. That was an election we would have made a lot of damage into the corrupt cabal of Skerrit and somehow my party chose to boycott as if they thought there wouldn’t be election

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 14 Thumb down 16
    • Braindamage
      December 21, 2022

      “My Little Take”, even though the Workers Party had contested the Election, it would not have made a difference.
      It would have been the same 19-2….
      Just that Dominicans like it so… 25 plus years hard labour’s for us…
      We need to take it as a woman and don’t cry…

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 5
    • Bwa-Banday
      December 21, 2022

      Really? Whatever you smoking, eating or drinking I need a good portion of it! Linton, Danny and Spags seats were always secure. They choose to remain patriotic and honored the wishes of the majority. So what are you complaining about? They made the perfect decision so hold your horses because the master plan is being executed.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 14
      • My Little Take
        December 21, 2022

        Pure crap @ Bwa-Banday. I agree all three seats were safe and we had a good chance of causing serious damage. But I guess when people like all you advising a party what do we expect. Is people like all you with whatever you drinking or smoking that cause UWP to be where it is today as if a political party is a church that supposed to follow the Bible

        Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 10
        • Bwa-Banday
          December 22, 2022

          @ My Little Take..
          My bro/ Sister I respect your opinion but stand my ground. Left to me there would have been so much militancy in Dca right now people head would be spinning and asking where to turn to get more action. That is my only gripe with us here. We talk but are pure cowards waiting political parties to fight our battles. But again thats my opinion and you have yours

      • My little take
        December 22, 2022

        What crap you talking about listening to the wishes of the majority bwa Bandai? Over 16000 of us voted for UWP in 2019. So are you saying 8000-9000 of us didn’t want UWP to contest? How do you come to this foolish conclusion? Based on the 10-15 callers of q95 that keep calling all the time? Are 25 callers if that many form the majority? Did UWP conduct a scientific poll online or otherwise to see what percentage didn’t want UWP to contest? Did our individual candidates did a survey in their constituency to see what percentage of us didn’t want our party to contest? I can tell you that didn’t happen because most of our candidates don’t even have a voice or presence in their constituencies. So that talk of them obeying the majority is flat out rubbish and hogwash! Just a stupid decision that they all regretting in secret now

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