Former Dominica PM wants “Cross The Floor Legislation” to prevent the practice

Edison James
Edison James

A former Dominica prime minister is supporting the position of the Denzil Douglas administration that former senior government ministers Dr Timothy Harris and Sam Condor should resign as MPs and seek a new mandate from their constituents.

The two have crossed the floor and now have their own party the People’s Labour Party, which is in alliance with the People’s Action Movement and the Concerned Citizens Movement. Dominica’s Edison James’ United Workers Party suffered a setback when after losing the 2005 elections, the party’s then deputy Julius Timothy crossed over to the government side over a leadership dispute.

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56 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    July 23, 2013

    I think a politician can cross the floor but he or she must first go to the people who voted for him/her to get their opinion. If the people agree then it’s okay, but if they disagree the politician if he/she feel so strongly about crossing then he/she should resign and start campaigning for the party he wants to join, await an election and see if he/she will be voted.

  2. Right Mind
    July 23, 2013

    The Failure of political parties to develop our country and improve the quality of life demonstrates the myths that you have to have a superior academic background that of course means nothing in the real world.

  3. I DIE NU
    July 23, 2013

    As the saying goes;You got to be in it to win it.Is the one in the kitchen who feels the heat.So Mr.James when one crosses over there must be some reasonable meaning.One is elected to serve his constituency and Dominica on a whole.Those who left you and crossed over saw your party(UWP)was not fit and did not serve thie purpurse.Furthermore,jealousy,hate and greed also plays a vital part in the crossing.Even at the present time your action by hand picking Lennox to be your successor as LEADER of the UWP dictates just that.Can you recall the reason why you hated the PM the Dame Euginea and went to form your so called UW party? All that was because of greed and jealousy.

  4. hmmm
    July 22, 2013

    It is a fair argument. Most people vote for their party. So if I vote for Ian and he cross the floor i will not take it easy. Like King Observer said “Give me back my vote.”

  5. Crossing
    July 22, 2013

    Not yet Eddo, Not yet. There are some who will cross over soon, and some who will come back. Let them come and then put the legislation.

    • Too Hard Too Long
      July 23, 2013

      In other words, it is not wrong unless it is done against you. smdh

  6. All for One
    July 22, 2013

    I believe Mr. James have a valid argument, however it would be nice if he would also push for legislation against Satellite MP’s. Under Mr. James’s Watch two members of parliament live conveniently outside the country and flew in just for the seating to avoid being kicked out. The member for Wesley constituency live in the VI and the member for the Salisbury constituency pursued a law degree at UWI. Let us be consistent and try not to choose legislation on of conveniences.

    • I DIE NU
      July 23, 2013

      So true.Edison seem to forget.

  7. warma
    July 22, 2013

    Comeon people, the man is right. Don’t just reject what he’s saying because you don’t like him or his political party. The people elect a representative based on a number of factors, one of which is that they believe that the individual that they’re electing is part of a political party that espouses their beliefs and whose manifesto best describes what they think is the right way forward in the development of their community and the nation as a whole. When a politician chooses to switch sides, he robs that elector of his/her vote. That representative should then have to go face his constituents again and letthem know why he/she decided to switch and ask them to reaffirm his/her presense in parliament.

    I’m no fan of Edison, but the man is right; no matter how you look at it, a broken clock tells the right time twice a day.

    • Gary
      July 22, 2013

      When you say the man is right, how ridiculous you sound,where does he get the authority to be right.
      Dissent can the highest form of patriotism.It should be pointed to you that there is a difference between honest dissent and disloyal subversion, regrading a broken clock, why would I rely on a broken clock for accurate time.

  8. July 22, 2013

    It’s a fair proposal

  9. Conscious
    July 22, 2013

    There should be a law to protect the people of Dominica. People go to the polls to vote a party they believe is going to help their constituency. Because of greed the representative cross the floor joining the other party. It is time Dominicans take control of the people elected to represent them. A bye election should be called where the candidate represents the party they are impatient to join. Another example Laureen Bannister. Dominica needs many laws which needs amending. MR. James take it upon yourself to help Dominicans who are too blind to help themselves.

    • Gary
      July 22, 2013

      The last sentence of your comment sounds so absurd.Mr. James is a politician and as a politician he is not allowed to take upon himself to implement what he thinks or perceive is right for Dominicans.I pity you with that kind of mentality.It is this kind of mentality that leads politicians to abuse us the electorate making us a ward of the state.

  10. wow
    July 22, 2013

    i think that it’s nonsense because people tend to vote for their reps as opposed to a party. At least I do. Reps can be in the party in power or formidable as an oposition. So either ways- the voice can be heard

    aND IF THE REPRESENTATIVE CANNOT ABANDON SHIP if he/ she disagrees with their party’s politics then you do not need someone like that to represent you.

    if as a representative you cannot freely stand up for your constituents, or you cannot stand up and say i disagree with you as a leader, or your leadership style, then what is the point.

    there are many reason people abandon their parties….

  11. Gary
    July 22, 2013

    When the Hon.Edison James goes about calling for or supporting legislation to prevent Politicians from crossing the floor this just shows his intolerance and contempt for dissent.Legislating such law is bad, it stifles democracy and someone’s right to dissent.Politicians should have the right to dissent,and it is the Politician’s constituent who should decide if they accept or reject such dissent from their elected representative not legislative law.Politicians should be accountable to their constituent not the Party the politicians belong to,but in most cases it is the opposite, and that is the reason I think the electorate is not respected and taken for a ride.

    Politicians can cross the floor for many varied reasons and some of it may be legitimate.There my be a scenario where a politician thinks that his party is not fulfilling the mandate of the people who elected them into office and so he crosses the floor to show his disapproval,should there be a law to prohibit the Politician from doing such thing absolutely not.

    It is very foolish by The Hon.Edison James to comment on what is happening in St.Kitts calling for legislation regarding the cross over.He does not know the relationship or privy to things that former senior Government Ministers Dr Timothy Harris and Sam Condor has with the Denzil Douglas administration.As to his remarks quote “The United Workers Party suffered a setback when after losing the 2005 elections,the party’s then deputy Julius Timothy crossed over to the government side over a leadership dispute”,this is so laughable. Why such nonsense,is this the reason that they lost the elections in 2005.If the Hon.Julius Timothy thought the was not treated fairly and passed over for the leadership then he has a right to leave the party and his constituents decided his fate and elected him again.This is how the system should work give the power to the electorate.

    • ?
      July 22, 2013

      You seem to be DNOs biggest buffoon. I wonder if you understood the article.
      I fully support the call from Honourable James. I would feel particularly irated after voting for a representative for him to go on the other side of the house.I voted for you and the party. If you want to take my vote to do otherwise, then the voting process should begin again.
      GOOD CALL!

      • Gary
        July 23, 2013

        To ?

        Why would you call me a buffoon.Is it because I do not support The Hon.Edison James in his call for legislation.A Hasty conclusion about other people portrays a hasty temper and this does not hold well to reason accurately.

    • Wesleyman
      July 23, 2013

      Gary, I respect your opinion but find your argument very redundant.The point that you are making is the exact point that Mr.James is making but you are in disagreement with him for some reason or another. First if you believe in dissident thought, then you should believe that this should be supported by the electorate other wise the politician is a rogue dissident, the idea that the dissident politician goes back to his constituents and say to them this is my position and I need your support does not undermine authority as a matter of fact it sures it up. Dont disagree because of the personality, the idea is a rewarding one, everyone wins. The politician would have withstood the test and he/she would be doing the wishes of the constituents

  12. PetProjects
    July 22, 2013

    Mr James i am sure if a MP of the Labour party cross the floor to joint UWP U would not be making such a call…We are in a Parliamentary democracy, That’s how it goes. Its up to MPs to be loyal to their Party and Constituency, In other cases the Constituency you represent comes before party.

    In Mr Timothy case what he did was pure of self interest, Which is WRONG.. You’re in Parliament to serve the ppl not yourself. In closing with all the reckless comments Mr Timothy made, His good where he is.

  13. Realistic opinion
    July 22, 2013

    You are right because the chinese party will be next in line to lead the country

  14. Observer
    July 22, 2013

    Since Lennox is on contract to sing the praises of St. Kitts’ Prime Minister as a specialist in media communication leading up to the next general election in St. Kitts, he is by association giving overwhelming support to Denzil Dr. Douglas in running a country with an absolute minority government. Imagine if such a situation was to exist in Dominica. can you imagine Lennox agreeing to or supporting a situation where PM Skerrit can rule the country on the biggest of minority? But Eddie see it otherwise. Does the principles of transparency, honesty in government, good and accountable government and truth to power end at the door step of who is in power or from whom we eat bread?

    PM Douglas can rue the fact that two of his senior colleagues abandoned him and joined the opposition. He can wish the law allowing the same to be changed. In fact he can go ahead and effect the changes in the law for the future. What he cannot do now is to legally challenge the men over their bahaviour.

    • .
      July 22, 2013

      You have puffed a lot of hot air without saying anything.
      You seem to be one of those that Lennox is giving sleepless night.POOr Thing!

      • Papa Dom
        July 23, 2013

        I agree with observer, Lennox should not have got involved with the internal politics of another country especially when there are questionable issues with the government there. I say this as a supporter of Lennox who has independent thought.

    • %
      July 23, 2013

      @Papa Dom Dominica’s major concern presently is bad governance, thievery, lazy and incompetent ministers, jobs given to Chinese instead of Dominicans,arrogant and conceited ministers, etc, etc, etc, etc. Are you inside out? Are you standing on your head?
      Go address these issues in the way Mr Linton has attempted to do.
      I JUST LOVE THIS HONEST AND PATRIOTIC STATESMAN AND GENTLEMAN.

  15. Mamizoo
    July 22, 2013

    I do agree with the propisal however I wonder if Mr James would have made the same suggestion if Timothy or Lorlor had not made cross the floor. Politicians are interesting characters. As I have always said politicians are like pampers. You put them on and remove them when they have pee, poo or a combination thereof. You also change the pampers when they don’t fit.

  16. nbn
    July 22, 2013

    we need FIX YOUR NOSE LEGISLATION instead
    some people must get work to do in Barbados
    FONTAINE FOR LEADER OR ISIDORE
    NO LINTON

    • T
      July 22, 2013

      @nbn We also need FIX YOUR BRAIN LEGISLATION, and “Paro” legislation. Some peoples brain is filled with white dust, and they write a lot of crap,garbage,rubbish and shit.
      LENNOX FOR PM! I LOVE HIM!

  17. Patat
    July 22, 2013

    Well look it outside people!!!!!

    It have trouble ahead in UWP Camp and Eddo doh want Lennox to look small. Hay, Hayyy.

    There is no way Dominica can accept such a bill in parliament. This will reflect the dictatorial nature of parliament in Dominica and anything else will become reality – cutting down on press freedom, searching citizens without warrants, tapping of e-mails and telephone records and conversations of citizens with impunity.

    I have to laugh. Eddie and UWP already calculate their salary for when they come in power and to have Vilas, Condos, Time share properties, and house and lands and SUVsssss

  18. kalinago
    July 22, 2013

    Sandford all the way..a deputy is essential you know. What has happened to succession planning. Sandoford was being groomed for leadership even under ron green and you mean Edison showed absolutely no confidence in our man to go up the UWP ladder and otpted for a fellow Marigotian. As was said earlier UWP is not a MRIGOT UNITED WORKERS’PARTY. How can the people of the territory show support for Sandford when you Edison as his leader rejecting him ? Its either you install weak leaders like Earl W /Ron Green or you kick out/frustrate/undermine those who you cannot control like Timothy. Sandford had two degree and has worked hard on the groynd and took his licks as a candidate and worked with the party openly / not on a radio making money for many many years at great personal sacrifice. Who is going to manage the UWP CAMPAIGN MONEY FROM TAIWAN ? I HOPE THE UWP EXECTIVE DEAL WITH THAT MATTER and not a GANG OF TWO”.
    WE don’t only need new candidates we need good candidates and we need a united front but alas the way we are going that doesn’t make too much sense at all. For someone to run for UWP now as a candidate that person must be really mad, very rich or stupid especially if L L becomes leader; is now he going to walk on Kalinagao people.

    • Wesleyman
      July 23, 2013

      sounds like a personal issue to me, here is my only point about Sanford, with all his qualifications he could not win the election, so why have a leader of a party who cannot win his constituency?
      Marigot is a sure seat so thats why it makes more sense for the leader to come from there

  19. LCM
    July 22, 2013

    What needs to be done is everyone going up for election should present his mandate for his /her constituency under the umbrella party. Every constituency have unique needs. If it fits the party and Dominica on a whole then we are ok. It takes a block at a time to build a structure. Problem is we have some highly incompetent representatives with no vision

  20. Anonymous
    July 22, 2013

    I think we need a revamp of the whole political system in Dominica. There is need for legislation on:
    i. Number of terms for the Prime Minister.
    ii. Cross the floor and resign.
    iii. Campaign financing.
    iv. Use of the State-owned radio station.
    v. The appointment of Senators.
    vi. Who can be a Minister.
    vii. Etc., etc..

    • Anonymous
      July 22, 2013

      Appointment of Independent Senators

    • k
      July 22, 2013

      rubbish you speaking as usual

    • Gary
      July 22, 2013

      Your ideas about more Laws is frightening.Do you think the passage of laws you listed will revamp the political system.There is a saying quote “The more corrupt the state,the more numerous the laws”. The only way to revamp the Political system is when the electorate demand that Politicians are accountable to them not their Party, let politicians know that they are servants of the people, and managers of our affairs.It is the people who should decide what laws they need to govern them not Government.Finally The laws governing the political process should not be written in abstract terms which need lawyers or judges to interpret.

  21. Just Blaze
    July 22, 2013

    The UWP is the most stupid hopeless part in the history of Dominica. Most of what comes from their mouth is nonesense. After loosing an election so badly they still don’t place emphasis on a lot of the real issues affecting Dominica. When you all will become less of a joke people will stop leaving your party. Timothy was suppose to be party leader they put earl and look at where earl is now.. You all will never win another election in this lifetime.

  22. workers well dead
    July 22, 2013

    I FEELING so sorry
    look at how workers come
    they changing leaders like napkins
    look bowdell

    • kile
      July 22, 2013

      well said
      we aint want linton but either
      fontaine, sandford, izidore
      spagggs nah not ready

  23. A DOUGLAS
    July 22, 2013

    This is utter rubbish. The constitution speaks about freedom of association. A former PM should have been briefed by an attorney before such nonsense came from his semi-retired mouth. The UWP remains to be the most scared and reactionary political party in the Eastern Caribbean. Clearly it is united and dis-functional indeed.

    We have to change the perception of being a merely MARIGOT UNITED WORKERS’ PARTY into a national party. This is an area that we have to focus upon. The heir apparent hand selected Linton cannot and doesn’t have the ability to hold what Mike Douglas referred to as ” The Ideological and Psychological strains” within the UWP together. Linton is alledged to be very temperamental and some say has a tint of arrogance. Any new leader of the UP must be able to listen to alternative views and behave as a team player. Sandford is by far the most politically experienced and educated ( masters’ degreed)and is by far the most liked UWP Politician. Isidore has proven himself to be the fastest rising politician on island within the ranks of the opposition. reference has been made of the fact that Thompson Fontaine had emailed his intention to vie for the top leadership position but was effectively high jacked by the Marigot Brigade. This form of political naiveté and recklessness is rather unfortunate indeed. The UWP man has also snubbed the current leader of the opposition in a clear vote of no confidence in his leadership. We all know that upon the defeat of the UWP and its winning the Marigot seat, that LL shall be the new leader of the opposition. I even have to make a requests to the Salisbury constituency to submit a resolution to the UWP’s Delegates Conference carded for Newtown’s Harlem’s Plaza later this year to move that Hector Spaggs John be restored as leader of the opposition in the event that we don’t form the government and he is elected as MP for Bawi.
    I HAVE also heard some unsavory remarks of some stooges of the UWP of an attempt on the part of some of the Douglas people to take over the UWP; this is a fallacy and we have no desire to join your party though some common ground could be found but we may attempt to pursue change from within the DLP rather than from being part of your movement. Labour remains our Natural home.
    Conclusively let it be said that I am of the viewpoint that legislation pertaining to recall of elected representatives is the preferred suggestion than to attempt at frustrating the movements of an elected member. If the MP crosses the floor then his constituents are the ones who will deal with him at the polls and no one else. Our preferred choice of UWP leader is any of the above named and not the gentleman named by Edison James.

    • isidore for leader
      July 22, 2013

      I agree with you mister Douglas 100% UWP HAS TO DO BETTER THAN THAT.

      • hash
        July 23, 2013

        we don’t need any Douglas in our party
        let dem stay posssie and make their noise with labour

        Why is this A Douglas jalou of Lennox L ?
        Possie people so Lazy and theyre still awaiting dem Douglas to feed them with rice and back n knecks.

        BIG HEAD small minds Educated Fools they are.

    • Positive
      July 22, 2013

      You can form the Douglas Party; but from what I have seen this remaining Douglas Generation are followers, not leaders. They have no significance in Portsmouth; just look at the RBD Cinema – and you will know what I am talking about. They were left a legacy and they cannot build nothing on that legacy, all they do is fight and be led by Skerrit. Its just ashame that people who were once the elites of Portsmouth are just like the common man begging and grovelling.

      • aabbbbbbbbbbbbbbhhhh
        July 22, 2013

        DEM people douglas pips alas papa they just like parrots have labour blood in their veins and they like d spotlight. if they don’t talk they don’t feel important at all. we don’t want dem people in our uwp…they have so much things to say about lenox and Edison, the moment they come on board I drop out…power alone they want,,,when they cannot lead is trouble they causing…they take turns to work the media and trust me we will be hearing from the girl just now and all of a sudden they love Grandvillia; not one school child they sponsoring for September 2k13.

      • uwp ite
        July 22, 2013

        talk talk more talk
        dem douglass people have talk talk talk and only work overseas only mike Eisenhower, Murdock-douglass,elenora,etc dat work da but most of the others that love d media and kar ka lol spend all their time building other countries. FIX UP RBD CINAMA, D SNACKET and leave we UWP IN PEACE…..wat linton/eddo and marigot people do allu…go glanvilla and demonstrate instead, marpin , sat , dno might make u relevant.

      • E.James
        July 23, 2013

        Is there anything here to suggest the writer ,even so named,is a member of the Douglas family in Portsmouth? Couldn’t A.Douglas be a pen name? Come on stop the stupidity!
        You guys go on and attack an entire family because of a pen name! So therefore go ahead and attack the James family because of my pen name! Foolishness man!
        We attack the people even forgeting that some of them support the opposition, such as Shawn, Washway,The lawyer,lol maybe even Ian.
        I mean come on man.

    • AAAAA
      July 22, 2013

      A Douglas You sound like a disgruntle douglas one that’s not wanted among your own people. Why are you attacking Mr James. Mr James has live and will continue to live a good life. He had the great honor to served as the PM of Dominica. Mr James has been bless my the almight father to live and reach the age of retirement. Mr James didnot need a lawyer to voice his opinion about politician getting elected on one party ticket and then crossing the floor to join another party. I don’t have to remind you that the labor party tried for 15 years to remove the freedom party from power. It took Mr James, Mr Green, Mr Timothy and the rest of the crew to come forward with some brilliant ideas and present it to the people and they defeated the freedom party with in 5 years,somthing the labor party under the douglas leadership could not have done in 15 years and the reason why the labor party was a Portsmouth labor party. Marigot people have choices Mr James is retireing and here comes Mr Linton. The only way labor will continue to win in Portsmount is to run A Douglas for Pal Rep.
      clean up your own backyard before you try cleaning other people’s backyard. Stop attacking Mr James For the record I am not from Marigot.

      • wayla
        July 22, 2013

        neither does any DOUGLAS want to be part of allu stupid irrelevant party uwp koshunknee

    • T
      July 22, 2013

      @A DOUGLAS When you have garbage to spew sir/madam, the best place for it is a landfill. Try not to make people belireve thay you are a semi illiterate,or an educated fool. Honourable James is miles ahead of you in terms of intellect,leadership capability and commonsense.
      I don’t think that you can be an asset to any political party on island. If you have political aspirations it will die before it shoots..

  24. Wilson
    July 22, 2013

    Please Mr James, people vote for a person. thats what the constitution says. the courts will never allow that legislation to stand.

    • kileler
      July 22, 2013

      u so right it will be unconstitutional under our laws

  25. DOn't Edit!!!
    July 22, 2013

    Oh to add it would serve dual purpose.
    if crossing the floor is ethical and non issue having a vote by the constituence will only serve to justify that move would it not? Or are we saying that it is only good if they can just cross the floor.

    It is good for either side. If it isnt then the system is bias and no system should have loopholes (though they do)

  26. DOn't Edit!!!
    July 22, 2013

    It is undemocratic but it is also bad leadership to flip flop.It just shows a lack of loyalty and is not ethical. Leadership is like marriage through thick and thin. I agree if you go up under Mango tree party and your party lost but you won you seat you should do the honorable thing and represent your constituency as part of the opposition rather than run to the Salt fish party.

    I will not ever vote. Politicians are slime. Lead with honor and dignity. Put your people first as well as those who do not support you.

  27. Massacre
    July 22, 2013

    In Dominica we have “first pass the post system,” in which voters vote for the candidates and not the party.
    So it should be the people of that constituiency to react to any Pal Rep who wants to cross the floor.
    I know in some cases the Reps does not even have the courtesy to consult with the people before crossing.
    I think it is undemocratic to force someone to remain in a bad atmosphere/party.
    By the way all labor Pal Reps should cross the floor and leave the DLP for Tony and Skerrit to run.

  28. Pro
    July 22, 2013

    I agree with your position mr. James

  29. Anonymous
    July 22, 2013

    Stupes…

    • stupidiiii
      July 22, 2013

      james you not making any sense again one day UWP will make sense we boy alas.

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