Dr. Thomson Fontaine, leader of Dominica’s main opposition political party, the United Workers Party (UWP), has expressed support for a call by attorney Joshua Francis of the United Progressive Party (UPP) for opposition groups to collaborate in efforts to restore Dominica’s economy. This call for unity was made by Francis during his appearance on Q-95 Radio’s Talk on the Block Program last week, where he stated his willingness to work with any group prepared to stand up for Dominica.
“Like Joshua [Francis], I do believe that is the only way forward,” Dr. Fontaine told Dominica News Online (DNO) in an interview. “Even if the United Workers Party is the biggest and strongest party on the island, we believe that we need the inputs of the other parties and the other individuals who are in opposition to the government to ensure that we get rid of them.”
Dr. Fontaine confirmed that he has initiated discussions with Mr. Francis, as well as Bernard Hurtault, leader of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), and plans to meet with other opposition parties to strategize and combine efforts.
Johnson Boston, President of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) and Chairman of the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC), also voiced his support for Francis’ statement. “…it is wise to discuss and for the parties to look at where they are now, in terms of human resources and other resources because campaigning nowadays is very expensive,” Boston told DNO.
He stressed the need for serious change in Dominica, stating, “I think the parties and groups should discuss and see how well things can be amended to create that impact and that organized pressure and to give Dominicans an opportunity to succeed again.”
The leader of Team Unity Dominica (TUD), Carlos Charles, echoed the sentiment for unity among opposition parties. “This is something that the party has been pushing for since its inception, hence the name Team Unity Dominica,” Charles told DNO. “Because we believe Dominicans should join together as a team to remove the stone from the road. We cannot do it individually.”
He said the party has consistently advocated for unity among opposition groups, despite some leaders now speaking about unity having previously opposed it. He clarified that unity does not require opposition leaders to join each other’s political organizations, but rather to meet and discuss.
“Let us meet and talk. We have been asking for that,” Charles stated.
Charles added that TUD continues to meet regularly and has started identifying candidates to represent the party in various constituencies in preparation for upcoming elections.
Earlier this year, TUD awarded a 6-year-old student from Calibishie Primary School the Team Unity Lifetime Academic Scholarship (TULAS) valued at $1,000,000. The scholarship, promised during the party’s founding in 2022, is channeled through the H.O.P.E. (Helping Ordinary People Everywhere) organization. The first disbursement was made in the 2024 school year, with the official presentation on September 10, 2024.
TULAS covers the student’s entire academic life, provided they maintain a good grade-point average, participate in social/community activities, and volunteer for developmental causes. The award, based on need and academic merit, is non-transferable and non-partisan, with TUD having no direct role in selecting the awardee.
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I personally cant wait to hear folks like Josh, Loreen Bannis, Tim-Tim and Doreen Paul publicly throw their support behind UWP again as a united front. I would also like to see people like Matt Peltier, Shelly Alfred (Signal Band Lead Singer) and Mystellics throw their hat in the ring as potential candidates for their constituencies. Yes, all-ye-who -are- weary come home. STOP the political in-fighting and let us put country first so we can collectively day-kar-lay the Skerrat Cabal. Soften our hearts and put country first papa-bondieu!!!!!
Imagine Matt and Mystellics as candidates and mobilizing the youth?
As long as the parties continue along the path of hatred, anger, hateful rhetoric and violence against one man they will never win an election.
Now,Truth Be Told,you have Told the Truth on this one.Johnson Boston cannot convince one person in his constituency of Mahaut to vote for anybody.The only thing Bosso can do is walk with his head down as if he not seeing people,and go on q95,talking BS..
It seem to me IBO is getting to his senses.The thousands of people who have benefitted from the free houses is not going to vote any other political party,and they are not going to support anything against DLP.The same goes for the thousands in the NEP,and the thousands of senior citizens who are receiving $300 monthly.Dominicans KNOW UWP is against ALL social programs.No political party including UWP can convince the PEOPLE not to vote Skerrit and DLP.Unlike the leaders of UWP thousands vote DLP because of the leader of DLP Roosevet Skerrit.
That wasteee have me cracking up,it make me remember when police was police,and police was king.WASTEEE is right UWP cannot win an election in Dominica,even if all opposition unite.
@Lin Clown
@Lin Clown
@Lin Clown
Is only a low brain idiot, a self professed cliwn, high on something, that will use the word CANNOT when discussing who can win election.
Using Boston face as a poster or front for Freedom Party would be akin to Edison James face for UWP or Patrick John face for Labour. Boston you need to stop, this needs to stop, please take a backseat for Dominica sake! No one is listening to you. You are no longer relevant to the voters. As a matter of fact, your constant appearance for Freedom party puts everyone off! Please do Dominica and the freedom party a favour and stand down! Enough is enough, this is now past ridiculous! You can never ever win a seat, it is too late for you. You do not appeal to any voter? You serve no purpose except to remind everyone of the past. Please allow the Dominica Freedom party to come into the present and move into the future. You need to retire from frontline politics. Help from behind the scenes. Did you see how Skerrit and Vince cleared out the Labour party old guard in their early years? It worked! Now you are keeping Skerrit in power! Stand down!
Ah boy,now Truth Be Told start to read and research.No only did Timothy and Tiyanni jump ship,Dr.Ferreira,CrazyT,Joseph Isaac,Nicholls Esprit,Joshua Francis,Earl Williams,.Felix Thomas ran away.Now there is a conspiracy to undermine and remove Fontaine as leader.There is a group of guys in the Diaspora name,Gabriel Christian,Dale Dangleben,Irvin Andre,Sheridan Gregoire,Crispine Gregoire,in Dominica Matt Peltier,Loftus Durand,Ronald Charles and Joshua Francis who are against Linton being leader of UWP.UWP can choose what leader they want,opposition parties can come together whenever they want,they CANNOT win DLP in Dominica.So you really think the thousands of people who got FREE houses,the thousands of people in the NEP and the thousands of people that getting $300 monthly will vote against DLP?
Just look at the faces in this photo. A bunch of losers, the only ones missing are Lennox Linton, Bernard Hurtault, and Tiyanni Behanzin! Seriously, Skerrit needs to go but these set of losers who are always fighting among themselves and within their parties are not worthy replacements! A coalition government of these lot would not last a month! Everyone wants to be leader! Ask Eddison, he had the same problem with his lot at UWP why Bannis jump ship, Timothy jump ship, Prevost lost his voice, they all wanted to be leader! No discipline!
Truth that cannot be rebuffed! Why can’t these men be activists for rule of law, inclusivity, good governance, et cetera.
Roosevelt has to be totally obliterated from the landscape of domestic politics. But NOT to be replaced by any of these self serving, conniving, pretentious crooks.
If Linton or Paris becomes leader of UWP Fontaine will leave Dominica,once he can get a job.If the guy living in South Sudan as UWP leader is when he is unemployed he will no leave.If Paris becomes political leader I wonder in what constituency he is going to contest.So Charles,Linton Paris in the Marigot constituency,Marigot is UWP country.Some of the UWP delegates want to make sure UWP remain a Marigot thing,and some delegates believe Linton is too uneducated too pompous and not enough of a foot soldier to take UWP to victory.People like Johnson Boston is considered a joker in the Mahaut constituency.UWP is too weak and disorganized to be a threat to DLP,and their past record (1995-2000)of corruption,victimization,greed,lies and Thxxxing makes them unfit to govern Dominica.Opposition parties coming together is nothing new,CCM,ALAS,ERC,NJAM,Q95,Civic vibes,Hot seat,Talk on the block,Wednesday walkers and more are all lazy do nothing opposition parties.
they will all want to be cabdidates knowing fully that they cannot win a seat.
Dominica needs more activists and advocates for good governance than this proliferation of unviable political parties.
If the DFP, TUD and the UPP were to formed a government of national unity without the UWP, they would not even win one seat. These three cannot even mount a serious challenge in anyone of the constituencies.
These power hungry men are like political arsonists. Although they have the right to contest a national election, they do more harm than good, by splintering the votes of the main opposition.
These three party heads are nothing more than spoilers. Their little political influence does much more harm than good as people focus more on their divisive rhetoric, and attacks on each other, than on the corrupt, ruinous administration that is in power.
Unity, in general, is a good thing. However, history has shown that coalition governments, comprised of different political parties, with dissimilar philosophies, fall apart.
There are many examples of this right here in the Caribbean. Trinidad & Tobago, St. Kitts & Nevis, Bermuda are just a few cases.
These multiparty governments fail for a multiplicity of reasons. Chief among these are:
1) The parties have differing ideologies and political agendas
2) Leadership struggles usually surface. These party leaders are people with insatiable appetite for power
3) Irreconcilable policy disagreements among the partners of the unity government
usually caused frictions
Lastly for me, the UPP, DFD and the TUD are not bona fide political parties. The three combined cannot present a full slate of candidates for a general election. These guys are just political opportunists obsessed with power.
By the way, it will be insanity for anyone to trust Joshua Francis in any unity…
Restore the economy?!! Dr. Fontaine what plan do you have for restoring the economy? The DFP is dead and buried, Joshua Francis party is a mirage, we are just heading for more confusion among the ranks of the opposition. The UWP might soon be getting rid of its absentee leader….
@Point
That’s a question you should ask King LIAR Skerrit as well. After 24 years why are Dominicans like you poorer. What plan does he have to make you independent, instead of grovelling to him.
Help me to understand something please!
To the Lawyer (disgruntled Labourite) with his long rambling-on, senseless, and ridiculous article and having done nothing to help the growth and best interest for change in the country, and also the other one who has never won nationally, should just chill out. It is time that everyone realizes the Marigot faction of the leadership of the UWP has been an utter (about) 24-year DISMAL FAILURE
Thank you for the dramatic moments, but the MARIGOT experiment has been a failure, and it is time to stop beating DAT dead horse and move on. PLEASE, stop HELPING SKERRO, BECAUSE YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE JUST DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO OVERCOME THE MAN!
Mr Lawyer, you are in the heart of the beast: if you really want to do something – File a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act to find out about Melo’s US Status.
I agree… but who arecu going to convert those in the apartment to vote 4 u? when the highness is giving more houses away? how ccan u all get him out? same as maduro? it sticks. but know the highness has a plan….but the American has a plan 2…..time is due for an investigation into this carbal….