The absence of parliamentary opposition has not hindered the process relating to certain appointments in the public service, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has revealed.
The prime minister was at the time responding to a question from the media on whether there are constitutional issues regarding the appointment of a commissioner of police and public service commissioner. Such appointments are usually made in consultation with the leader of the opposition.
The main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has decided to boycott Parliament in protest of the December 18 general elections.
“You have to consult, but doesn’t mean you need the person to approve. The fact is, you just need to say that there’s no leader of the opposition and therefore you were unable to consult with the leader of the opposition; and you make recommendations to the authority for the appointment, as we have done in the case of the acting chief of police and the acting deputy,” Prime Minister Skerrit explained.
According to him, the country’s president has been informed of the matter.
“My letter to His Excellency the President was that I consulted with the chairman of the police service commission, and the fact that we don’t have a leader of the opposition I could not consult with anybody because the deputy and the chief acting [of police] appointment came to an end in early December, so the state must continue to function,” he stated.
Police Commissioner Hobbs Jno Baptiste and Deputy Police Commissioner Cyril Carrette have both been appointed to act for another term.
Well congratulation to UWP.I think that is a fabulous idea not to participate in any proceedings in the house as the opposition.Its about time that the people themselves oppose their own government that they voted for in a landslide victory.
For those who made this comment AND SIMILAR COMMENTS TO THIS EFFECT. ( well well well, I just dont understand why labourites are so worked up because the UWP is not in the house after all they wanted the DLP in control and they got their wish ) I believe you are being silly and acting like someone who are not educated, for your sake I HOPE THIS IS NOT THE CASE.
THE OPPOSITION HAS A PART TO PLAY AS WELL EVEN IF THEY DID NOT WIN . THIS IS THE REASON FOR AN OPPOSITION. SO TO COWARD OUT OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IS NO JUSTIFICATION THAT THEY SHOULD BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WIN THE ELECTION .YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF IF THESE ARE THE KIND OF PEOPLE YOU WANT TO GOVERN THE ISLAND AND ITS PEOPLE. THE OPPOSITION IS BEHAVING LIKE CHILDREN, STAPMING THEIR FEET AS IF THEY WERE DENIED A LOLLIPOP. PLEASE BE CONCIOUS OF WHAT YOU ARE WRITING OR PLEASE DONT WRITE JUST FOR WRITING SAKE JUST TO SATISFY YOURSELF AND MORAL THAT YOU ARE WRITING ON THE SITE.
Cello get yourself out of election mood you have 4 more years to go so stop using that as an accuse for being a pond in a game the PM have you just where he want you, don’t allow any politician regardless which party to dictate to you without first getting the facts and studying them thru, so stop blaming the Opposition for taking a stand in this case I agree with them that they should not participate in the process, Dominicans get what they wanted so it’s up to the people to deal with the administration and Government ..
PATRIOT
Do your research properly, the independents in the house, Jenner Armour and Conrad Cyrus decided to support Mathew Joseph of the Carib Territory and he was appointed opposition leader over Mike Douglas. Before that, there was in fact a crisis. It took the brilliant brains of Euginia Charles to overcome what would have been a major constitutional problem for her.
The evidence is right there before us, we see the people who care about Dominica moving forward and those who don’t care and iw will to make us suffer because they did not win an election. Please let the UWP and supporters know that the election games are over and they need to focus their time now to prepare for the next five years. The downfall of this country is division among it’s people. Dominica must trust Jehovah God and live, pray for your leaders and reason with your brother. IF GOD HAVE TO INTERVENE TO LET US LISTEN, HE WILL DO SO.
I wish that my country Dominica would move forward,
but the way things are,everybody for theirself and God for all of us.
well well well, I just dont understand why labourites are so worked up because the UWP is not in the house after all they wanted the DLP in control and they got their wish so why are they so concern, they just have to sit back and reap what they sow. Now is the time for DOMINICANS to pay a dollar and get a copy of the CONSTITUTION study it so whenever you make a comment you will be knowledgeable enough to be part of the conversation and also the process,my people the elecation is over try to get a hold of yourselves.
we TAKING DOMINICA TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH MR ROOSERVELT SKERRITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT(MAD SEXY WITH HIS DIMPLES) AHAHAH
Less I get crucified I made an error in my last post. I should have said “What if they decide to boycott parliament ad infinitum?”
Slight typo.
WELL SAID…… POWER TO THE PEOPLE,A+……YOU MADE ME PROUD TO BE A DOMINICA……I WISH I KNOWN YOU IN PERSON….WE WERE FOOLED BY ALL THESE DICTATORS……THEY WILL TRIED TO STOP ANY PROGRESS TO GET IN POWER ,DICTATORS ARE ONLY FOR THEIR SELF,I AM NOT FOR ANY PARTIES, THIS IS THE FACT.GOOD BLESSED DOMINICA
Patriot can you enlighten us on what the Constitution says when the Opposition, by its own volition and without being pressured, decides to boycott parliament. What if they decide to boycott parliament in finitum?
Is there some precedence in a case like this? Should the country be held ransom? Or does the Constitution dictates that the PM call fresh election?
The Opposition has taken their matter to court and this might take months. Should the country come to a standstill?
I am no expert on the constitution, so I am just wondering.
Have you ever purchased a copy of the Constitution and take the time to read it why don’t you try first, I’m sure there are sections where you will need someone else to explain I did the same today I can say I learned a lot on my own I can follow the conversation and make valid comments suggest you try it.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
the opposition uwp must respect the choices of the people and stop acting like little boys!
hey rassulfur u’re seriously outnumbered here and ‘power to the people’ just ethered u lol.
ur copilot ‘mania’ just got taken to school by ‘thoughtful’ .dayum DNO comments section is the shiznit!!!
Rass and mania keep doin wat y’all do though, watching y’all lame arguments get taken apart is highly entertaining.
All u dominicans to damn bias and hypocrite! de opposition didnt do this and the opposition didnt do that! What all u really want? On December 18th 2009 it was loudly and clearly spoken that all u wanted only labour. Now de opposition giving all u what all u didnt tief all u still complaining. Whether they are sitting in the house or not de eyes have it, so why bother. De government at large now. Take it is dat all u vote for.shut up and let de autocracy take its coiurse.Leave de opposition alone, all u have what all u wanted! LEAVE DE OPPOSITION ALONE. SACWAY GAS!
How de hell dey supposed to work? They must take money out of their pocket to buy all u? Is handout all u like and they dont have!
ATTN. RASSULFUR
Some people like you just believe in creating fear by continuing to talk about dictatorship as if Dominicans don’t know what a dictator is. They still believe that we are uneducated and are still living in the days when they fooled us about Communism. My boy, these days are long gone, and we are an educated country. What is a dictator? The dictators are those who fail to respect the voice of the people and cannot accept the verdict of the masses. 18 -3 !!! The independent observers reported that the elections were free and fair. Yet persons who are craving for power at any cost will not accept the results.
Those dictators must return to the drawing board and analyse the result and make adjustments for the next elections in five years. They must understand that Dominica belongs to Dominicans (even Dominicans working and living overseas).
Dictators are those who will accept the results in Roseau Central but will not accept the results in La Plaine. What hypocrisy!!!
Our Prime Minister is constitutionally elected by the majority of Dominicans and will do what he has to do for the progress of our country.
The opposition will do what they want to do, but the work of the country has to go on and will not stop because of a disgruntled few.
The Leader of the Opposition is to be consulted only IF there is one appointed.
The constitution “understands” that there are instances when we may never be able to appoint one. Take for instance a clean sweep by one political party. During the first term of the Freedom Party between 1980 and and 1985 we did no have a Leader of the Opposition. The 4 member opposition was split between 2 Independent and 2 Labour candidates thus frustrating the appointment of a Leader of the Opposition. So we’ve got precedence.
Mania, for your information I don’t live in the US. Don’t ever intend to.
You don’t have to live in an country in order to comment on or analyze what is going on there. We live in the age of technology: of cable and satellite TV, of high speed internet, my gosh you can get breaking news on your cell phone. So commenting on something happening in the US doesn’t necessarily mean I live there. This just shows how narrow minded you are in your thinking.
Now the first part of my post dealt with the PM having to go along with the country’s business despite the absence of the opposition, who on their own volition decided to boycott the parliament.The business of the country must go on.
yes, the latter part of my post has nothing to do with the opposition boycotting parliament. It just made reference to the voting in Massachusetts and how the UWP could learn a lesson on how the underdog can become the top dog by running a solid grass root campaign based on issues that matter to the electorate. Just that. I was not trying to compare anything.
Read my post again and stop seeing things from the surface.
who is the leader of UWP nuh
we have not had an effective opposition for over 4 yrs and our country was moving and progressing fine. i don’t see how their continued absence will affect or change anything. continue your work mister PM. let not these hinderances affect the work ahead.
The Opposition, if they deemed so are acting like a Bunch of B&^%$#s. I have a cousin in The East who is a part of the UWP i am so glad that they lost because he can now “Shut The F6%$#k up! And Grow UP! I say F&^%$#@k the Opposition…..And My namee is …, residing in Yonkers NYC
I personally don’t trust politicians and organized religion, they all have their agendas, they constantly fail to put the people first and so I say, by the works we shall know them.
last time i checked HJouse of Assembly hasn’t been held as yet so ‘offically’ there is an oppostion. Only after house assemlby is held then can it be offically be made clear there is no opposition.
…
I want my vote back, The Electoral office should call a bi-election in those constituency. These people need representation.
to THOUGHTFUL…..yea yea yea stay in america where you are we all know you are in america so do not talk about what went on in boston and out opposition party not showing up for parliament it is not the same no comparison if you want people to know you in america “just write if! else shut the heck up..dont write anything
The opposition have made it clear that they will boycott parliament. Meanwhile the business of the nation must go on. What can the PM do? Sit and wait till the opposition get their act together? How long will they take to get their act together?
In a dictatorship the opposition is either actively suppressed by the government or don’t exist at all. This is not the case in Dominica.
The UWP should learn a lesson from the voting in Massachusetts where Republican Scott Brown won a major upset victory in Tuesday’s (January 19) special election for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by liberal Democrat Ted Kennedy who died recently
Brown’s challenger Martha Coakley ran such a poor campaign that she was unable to win the seat even after it was firmly in the control of the Kennedy and his Democratic Party for 47 years.
Just weeks ago, Brown was underfunded, unknown and 30 % behind in the polls. Even Obama campaigned for Coakley.
I am not trying to compare the US electoral system to ours but the lesson here is if you run a good grass root campaign with issues that matter to the electorate, you will win, no matter what the odds are.
more and more the “oposition” is proovin to the nation that they never had a plan for the development of the country… u may not be a labour party supporter but u cannot turn a blind eye on these things…the same way they used the whole election campain on bare alegations which obviously got them nowhere, they going to spend the nex five years on unfair elections?? come on.. the people who won there sit in their constituency have a responsibility to their constituence which they represent….. they are not going to give any representation to their constituence, hence may not recieve any government benifits and after the five years they going to complain that government not doing nothing for them… where as is your representative who failed to represent you in paliament….
We need to realise that law and order must be maintained. For this to be effectively done we need persons in place to ensure that this is done. Therefore, the prime minister is right to appoint. In the abscence of law and order society breaks down. So we need to put all that nohesense about dictatorship and all that aside for now.
In a d1ckt@k3rship you do not need to consult no opposition, you do what you want. As a matter of fact there is no opposition.. lol.
Take that . That is your next level.
LOL.LORD HELP THIS COUNTRY!
Its not the fault of the PM that the opposition chose to stay out of office,thou i dont see their point in doing so but its their choice.I believe that this choice by the opposition shows that it was a right choice in not voting uwp into office they dont care for country like they clam, if they did they would be in office doing what the few who voted them voted them to do .
know something i agree with the prime minister.. the country have to keep moving…we need a police chief and deputy and cannot wait until the opposition decide which one of them is worthy enough to head their party..green and james needs to take the stick out of their butts and show up in parliament or else no pay for them cause you dont work you dont get paid..good work mr. pm
well off the topic when are you going to open the melvile hall airport night landing these are things you should address to the national!!! sir