Leader of the Opposition, Lennox Linton, has sought to explain why he and his team did not vote in a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, which was tabled by him in parliament on Wednesday.
Linton told state-owned DBS Radio that he was not given the chance to complete his motion.
“We are debating the motion, I am presenting the motion, I am not given the chance to present the motion, what is my team supposed to do?” he stated.
He explained that he need to be given the courtesy to complete tabling the motion since he had 45 minutes to do so.
“If I had not finished saying what I had to say in setting up the reasons why there should be not confidence in this Prime Minister, what are we debating?” Linton asked.
Linton was presenting the motion in parliament when he was brought to a grinding halt by House Speaker, Alix Boyd-Knights, because she said he was imputing improper motives.
A verbal clash followed between the two and Boyd-Knights demanded that Linton apologizes for statements he made before he continued with tabling the motion, however, he refused.
The motion was eventually brought before the parliament and government used its majority to defeat it.
In the motion, Linton alleged that Skerrit had mismanaged the island’s economy.
In the final analysis the Opposition brought a motion and not one person voted for it, not even the one who brought the motion. And now all we can hear is stupid excuses. This Pappy Show extraordinaire demonstrates the childishness and stupidity that passes for politricks in Dominica – a complete lack of maturity.
Man you don’t make no DAMN sense.
Generally in our society, when one can’t adequately present facts in a debate, one tends to get angree and end up insulting the other person in the debate/discussion. While there may seem to be some bias from the speaker of the house, to quote J C Maxwell, ” a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” If indeed this man was in this for the people of Dominica and trying to save Dominica from a so called tyrant, then he should be willing to sacrific his pride and following the rules of the institution in order to make his case. Little boys behavior have no place in Parliament. As JFK stated, “leadership and learning are indispensable to each other,” and the man needs to first learn the rules of the house in order to be effective in the house. Leadership is about taking responsibilty and it is not about making excuses. Clearly this man is not ready. The house was nice once he left. Isaac skillfully got his points across while disagreeing with others…
I have read the various comments above with interest. Most are personal and not directed at the issues… I want to state publicly that I support the vote of no confidence in Skerrit and the DLP Government as the no confidence motion relates to the management of the Dominican economy. No amount of personal attacks against Lennox Linton and the UWP can negate the fact of decline of the Dominican economy..Also it was quite illogical to call a vote on an incomplete motion..
You aré right to an extent. It is obvious to all that LL thinks politics is fueled only by emotions. His party does Iittle to protect him from his own intemperance. Fact is, LL is tired; fatigued from lugging that black heavy brief case loaded with allegations that can’t be housed elsewhere.
Emil try to define the word economic citizenship; when you discover what it entails, if you find what Skerrit calls economic citizenship in Dominica as it is in the developed nations of the world, then you are free to try to prevent me from making it on the front page!
I live in America, know how the program works here, I also know how it work in Ireland, where the program started more than fifty years ago. The way it works is like this. Investors are invited to invest money into a country in economically depressed areas: In America, when someone a foreigner decides to participate in the program; they fill out an application, be it through the State Department, or immigration I do not know. However if accepted they are required to deposit a certain amount of money in a bank.
Any business they decide to develop, must employ no less than twenty-five people in the interim! Based on that economic citizenship is granted, they are free to apply for a passport via the Immigration and…
Continue Reading Emil:
Any business they decide to develop, must employ no less than twenty-five people in the interim! Based on that economic citizenship is granted, they are free to apply for a passport via the Immigration and Naturalization services.
I do not know the government of Ireland, and the United States of America has government ministers like Skerrit flying around the world selling American Passports to criminals, who has never set foot in America, neither I have never heard of America have agents around the world with a rubber stamp selling passports.
And surely I do know of any American born who government has given money under America economic citizenship program to build hotels! There is what we know as the SBA “Small Business Association in America; who will assists existing, and someone developing a business with money to develop a small business, however one have to pay for an application form, fill it out and submit it, and that is not a grantee they…
Continue:
However; one have to pay for an application form, fill it out and submit it, and that is not a grantee they will get a loan; free money do not fly here, as in Dominica. What Skerrit have in Dominica is a highly corrupt scam in place from which he and his colleagues gets rich.
Read DNO you will read where you Prime Minister Crapo Skerrit refuse to disclose to our nations parliament how many Ambassadors we have out there holding diplomatic passports. If you cannot disclosed to the nation how many people are walking around with Dominica diplomatic passports, something must be crooked about what you are doing! As large as America, people knows how many diplomats America has overseas, around the world; no matter where they are, and damn they are not as many as Skerrit has. Skerrit should be jail, the man is the most corrupt human alive!
You thought I am on Skerrit’s case, this should satisfy you, as far as I know I am on Dominica’s case, what puppets like you are…
Finally Emile:
You thought I am on Skerrit’s case, this should satisfy you: as far as I know I am on Dominica’s case, what puppets like you are afraid to do I am bloodily doing it, because I do no not fear Skerrit, nor any power on this earth; Skerrit is to small for me to fear him. As far as I am concern, Skerrit is the cause of people like this dog here barking at him!
One of those days… Dominicans will get up and smell the coffee, but let’s hope it will not be too late. The desperation on the government side appears to grow wider… but even the longest rope has an end.
Come on Linton, you are a sick joke this is why your colleagues did not voted with you old boy, also Linton, you are a lier and must never be trusted ever Linton, you said on Q95 Radio prime minister Skerrit, did not offer you any new homes for your marigot people when you know dam well he did. I KNOW one thing capitan Linton, your ship is sinking fast in the blue sea please get into a life boat and get off quickly only a stay to long well you know what i mean.
Mistake,only a fool stay too long on a sinking ship Mr Linton.
Mr. Linton, you must give the petrocasas back. Not good for you to bleach about Dr. Skerritt and then take petrocasas from him.
Stupes…
Be careful. I have seen, in the past that these same parties bounce back and win a general election. Wait and see what will happen next election. Remember I told you.
on this one i now have no confidence in mr linton if you are tabling a motion on no confidence against mr skeritt whether you were interrupted by the ( condom) mr skeritt has installed you cant inform the nation that you are going to motion for a vote of no confidence and then not vote and then expect people to take you seriously i am getting fed up of the opposition walking out and now tabling /or saying you are going to table a motion and then not vote for the motion you brought there is no way you can defend that kind of behavior or attitude if that’s the case the the government will foil all you moves by interrupting you and then you will never make a meaningful contribution because you were never there to make one cause you walked out or downing tools at the slightest bit of provocation
skeritt and his cabal must be laughing their heads off at the lack of character by the opposition
ur comprehension is zero
To: Dominican Always.
Hello and good afternoon my people. Well didn’t you read or understand the article. Mr Linton said he was tabling his motion during his forty five minutes of allotted time but the speaker didn’t allow him to give the reason why he was seeking a no confidence vote. So how can he vote on a motion if the reason for the motion is not listed. We are a Democratic country and the opposition must have a voice within the system.
I don’t take sides in politics in Dominica but we must have an opposition to try and keep the party in power honest so things can work for our people.
What Skerrit has done we should recognize it for what it is!
He did more damage than simply mismanaging the nations economy; we need to also accept the fact that there is also misappropriation of the tax payers money!
We recently experience misappropriation of the sale of Dominica’s passport money. We hear Skerrit has decided to give millions to give millions of dollars to three of his friends, and political supporters in the pretence of building hotels on the island.
This bogus attempt to funnel money into the pockets of Skerrit must be exposed. This so called economic citizenship program was supposed to attract investors into the country, in that when they decide to invest in the country, economic citizenship is not about selling of the nations passports to criminals who never set foot in Dominica.
With that said I don’t know how three Dominicans can build hotels, under economic citizen program, when they are Dominica born! That is one of the reasons a vote of no…
Is the man who contested the Petite Savanne seat for UWP part of Skerrit’s cabal?
Lennox this is no excuse. You r party should have known what your motion was about before you went to Parliament, they should have gone there to vote for this motion come what may. Then again, even they had voted, where would you get a number over 14 to win this motion?
Elizabeth, you on Lennox case again?
I will let you of the hook today, cause I am in morning, I am just reading DNO to maintain my sanity. My oldest son died from a heart attack this morning, hard to deal with it.
Two days ago one of my girlfriends fifty-six years died from a heart attack also, my son is 48 years old! Don’t ask if this is the case why am I on DNO?
It is simply a way of keeping my mind occupied, worried about another of my sons who is on the road in an eighteen wheeler, devastated, I have to fly him back to Los Angeles to ensure he is safe.
Hello Mr Francisco, i am not a particular fan of yours, but am very sad to hear about the lost of your son please accept my sincere condolence.
Sympathy accept Arte El.
You see I did not call you the other name today?
Thanks.
Dr. Telemaque, sorry to hear of your loss and I wish those of your family who are in danger do not succumb to bad things.
I have read your complaints up Dr. Skerritt.
Sadly, you are 100% wrong. Dr. Skerritt has NOT mismanaged our economy as there is simply NO economy as such, therefore its ‘management’, or otherwise is not possible.
Whoever takes over from Dr. Skerritt will find that the island is broke – totally. It is the poorest country in the Caribbean as it has NIL exports and quite of lot of IMPORTS. Historically, Dominica survived by handouts from other nations.
Today, it survives by handouts and around 20% of the profit from the sale of its passports (with more than 80% of CBI/ Passport revenue unaccounted for).
What do you mean by letting me off the hook!
I have the right to speak about and against whoever; you have no authority against that.
Stop mentioning my name and the lies that you are speaking about me–your present situation is God’s rebuke against you–but still you are not taking heed
stupesssss lennox I file a vote of no confidence against you……
If Lenox had just follow the rules and not being so rude and apologize all this wound not have happened. He did this just to put the blame on someone else.
I agree fully with the UWP and it shows the biasness of the speaker of the house.She should be ashamed of herself.Low class speaker she is
I have seen and heard many parliamentarian withdraw remarks apologize and proceed with their presentation. Your partial blindness and total bias allows u to see only blue…….
Who are you? You are out of place to call her low class. I know she is not. You are the lowly class and for making such a comment. The pot always calls the kettle black.
As the proverb, birds of a feather flock together. Show me your friends and associates and I will show you who you are. Lennox and yourself go hand in hand. You cannot see the good in some people. You always see the worst. So much for you UWP supporters.
To think that I thought that you were more classy!!??!!
The economy is properly managed. In fact, isn’t this the reason for government contribution of $500,000 or (half million dollars) to certain private sector entities?
Economics-one-on-one!
oh stupes. you must learn to behave yourself and control your little boy attitude.
Due to her demon-strated (yes, pun intended) conflict of interest and lack of impartiality, the honorable thing for the Speaker of the House to do at this point is to recuse herself.
Making decisions based on “the demon in me” is misrepresentation of a neutral arbiter, impartial and independent, swayed by neither personal predispositions nor external pressure.
Mr. Linton made the choice not to continue with his presentation. He decided that he is bigger than Parliament and refused to apologize for what he said. The incident was captured both on audio and video so Linton has no leg to stand on.
Lennox boy, you really disappoint me this time. For real. You went to present a no confidence motion and allowed a feeble Speaker to have her way? Bro, all you had to do was apologize, not because you at fault but because without it you would not be able to put the facts forward. Sadly, you swallowed hook, line and sinker!! When one is in positions of leadership, one must know how to turn upsets into victories. I love you but was bewildered as to why you would not do her bidding and prevail in the end.
HOTEP!
Let us say, even though in his heart he did not mean it, he could have said it and cleared the air. No one can read or pick his heart and mind.
Lennox is too stubborn and haughty. By not apologizing, in the end it could cost him his position.
For one in his position, Lennox is not acting appropriately. One day it could backfire in his face.
The party is so called Team UWP, how could your team not continue your motion when the were well versed on your motion? Even if you did not want to apologize for a statement made disrespectfully, they should’ve made their point as to why they are backing the vote of no confidence. The UWP has no respect for law of the land and this is a sad day for our country, it’s people who voted these type of people so they each has to blame themselves.
Lennox Linton I know that the speaker is biased, but you have to overcome her, you cannot be walking out overtime you don’t get your way. STAND UP and FIGHT her. She gave you the opportunity to CONTINUE on the bases that you apologise to the chair, and i agree with her, your actions were un becoming of a leader in a VILE manner. You did not appoloigse and couldnt continue as a result. You should have apologised and continued with the discussion, in the end the Labour party came out victorious, What message are you all sending, you blame the Government for DOMINICAS problems but what is the option, show me. Is it what was displayed in the house yesterday? I am DISAPPOINTED in you and the Opposition you all need to come better than that. I am not being negative but CRITICISM is good, you all ned a reproach.
She is not biased. You just do not support DLP and the Speaker of the House. Lennox is not the head of the House. Common sense dictates how people should conduct themselves in such a place of all.
Lennox should know how to conduct himself in Parliament. He cannot assume he is higher than the Speaker of the House. He is not the one in charge. He was disrespectful to everyone who was present. He showed what type of person he is.
Some people may inadvertently make a comment. Whether it was meant or not, he was told to apologize and he did not. He felt it was beyond him to apologize to her. He lacks humility. Well, he has to pay the price for his ill-mannered behavior.
Sorry Dominican, but Lennox Linton never gets his way. It is clear that many of the countries in the region have Speakers of the House that have been cherry picked by their ruling government to look after their interest in parliament. However these Speakers do so in a more subtle and less obvious manner than ours. This government is so well entrenched that they no longer even bother to hide or attempt to disguise their guile and that is exactly what the Speaker displayed, as she efficiently and effectively ensured that the leader of the opposition could not complete his motion. She knew that by placing the stipulation of apologizing like a school boy for a trivial matter before he could continue, would do the trick because an apology was not warranted.
Hon. Linton you are strong because you know what you are against…keep up the fight, do not be discouraged
What a load of crap!!! A Leader tables a motion and does not vote on it??? He’s a total waste of time & unfit to be Leader. He’s proven that he’s no match for Skerrit. He’s a little boy trying to do a man’s job! As for the way he spoke to the Hon Speaker. If he doesn’t respect her he should respect her position!!! End of story.
Would the results have been any different had you been allowed to complete the motion?…
“When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade”….”When they go low, you go high”
#justsaying
Oh! So is now I understand why the opposition did not vote on a motion they brought forward! If this situation is true that the Speaker did not allow Lennox to fully present the motion then it was just understandable that they do not vote on an incomplete motion.
But Lennox has to understand that the Speaker was put there by the DLP to favor their opinions , so he too has to use good judgment and keep a cool head when faced with obvious fury.
Be the bigger man in the room.
You need to turn on your radio and listen to the proceedings yourself.
God bless our nation and guide us on our way in Jesus name we pray.
Overseas, please shut your gob you don’t know what you are on about,Lennox Linton, was dam out of order the speaker gave him lots of time and he just sat down their like a bull frog.
Nonsense,the speaker even if put there by the DLP has to be neutral.
Yes jonathan st jean…..I agree. It is always the majority in the house who gets to have the speaker. While we understand in a tight situation the speaker can give the edge to the government, but it must not be too blatant. Like the case in point. The leader of the opposition deserved the opportunity to fully present his case, even if in the end we know it would be defeated as a result of the majority. But the speaker defeats it before he finishes his presentation. What a shame Madam Speaker.
All he had to do was apologise!!! He’s a waste of time!!
Was any questions posed to him? DNO you didn’t say. He only made this statement? Was it a paid statement? For instance everyone in hearing and viewing distance saw and heard the Speaker gave him amply time to complete his motion, he chose not too.
He cannot sought to blame the Speaker, it was all his doing. I believe the Speaker allowed all the time waiting for him and he chose not to continue. We saw it and we heard it. That statement is erroneous.
Dom you forget that he could only continue if he apologizes. What was the to apologize for? for using her own words back to her? The truth hurts.Doesn’t it?
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