Opposition continues boycott of Parliament

Hector John.

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Opposition legislators on Monday continued their boycott of Parliament to protest what they claim were irregularities in the last general election that was won by the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP).

The three members of the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) insist they will not give “legitimacy to an illegitimate parliament” and are instead participating in a “People’s Parliament” organised by opposition groups on the island.

“Although I have been elected parliamentary representative for the Roseau Central Constituency, I have not been to the Parliament and on Monday I will not be going to the parliament,” Norris Prevost said over the weekend.

His UWP colleague, Hector John, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the party was not backing down on its position.

“We continue to take this action because nothing has been done. We are not moving in the direction of electoral reform and addressing the problems that transpired during the last election, so we will be staying out of the Parliament today,” John said.

The UWP, which has gone to the High Court challenging the results of five constituencies including that of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, wants fresh general elections within 18 months of last December’s polls.

In addition, the party wants electoral reform with the provision of voter identification cards and a new voters’ list.

The UWP faces the prospect of having the seats of the three opposition legislators, including former prime minister Edison James, declared vacant.

Skerrit recently announced that the DLP is preparing to contest the seats in by-elections.

“We are going to parliament for a second time on March 29…and in April for a third time and we will go back for a fourth time and those who want to miss three sittings of the Parliament and make the seats vacant, the DLP shall file candidates to contest by-elections in these constituencies and I have no doubt the DLP candidates will be voted into Parliament,” Skerrit said.

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28 Comments

  1. Girl
    March 31, 2010

    WELL my computer was down so sorry for late comment. UWP is like Sarah Palin and the republican party , all talk , no substance. People are just laughing at them.

    In front of me for the uwp to come and talk for me to salay them.

    I making their panty or their slydah fall daown on them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Liberated
    March 30, 2010

    ‘Secure power’ who ever you are. You seem to have serious mental health issues. i suggest you go and get some help. Leave the blogging for the sane.

  3. March 30, 2010

    Them guys full of it, listening 2 poor tired Ron, they can jump high or low- key yo lay. key yo par lay we are in the HOUSE. They will conntinue staying in the YARD.

  4. BMS
    March 30, 2010

    Well we can see the full power of a communist in Dominica, opposition not allowed access to state radio, next thing you will only be allowed to wear red, and change 3rd November to China Day watch this space

  5. secure power
    March 30, 2010

    Venezuelans caught red handed with cash. Let them go.
    Three young men murdered by Spanish spanish speakers?
    Venezuelans caught by coast guard dumping packets overboard. ….”we have been fishing here for 10 yrs”
    French fishermen caught and arrested….who obstructed The justice system?
    Did not two Containers of plants in soil came in to da from country with soil diseases without quarantine …Staight to vaille casse?… who obstructed legal system?
    What happen to the Chinese using stun guns on dominican woman?
    Who is Using poison in rivers to catch wild life out of season?
    Does venezuelan cargo get checked by customs?
    Have we lost >2/3 of our territorial sea? Who GIving it away?
    Coast guard not even trying to defend our Territory again. All they have authority to do is harrass dominicans. De even given a French registered boat to do. Just that.
    Is the law only to be used against poor malaywe?

    How many times Has the oaths act been broken with regards to nomination and elligibility for elections?
    Would we have been in the dark for yet another 5 yrs wondering why all our resources going to EU/French if Edison didn’t expose the dual citizenship deception?
    Is not two weeks ago a Dominican get charged and convicted for deception?
    What happen to the law. Supposed to be UNbiased?

    Has the constitution been breached?
    Why are they trying to get rid of the young magistrate and the manager of DbS? Is it to prevent justice and to get rid of evedence that DBS, and LIAT were used to manipulate the electoral process?
    What does the law say are the penalties for those who commit acts of Treason?
    How is it that the state is paying to defend those who by admit to breaking the law?

    When is the DPP going to do his job and arrest them?
    Am I going to be banished from the DLP because I think that there are more than enough capable Dominicans to run DA? Enough damage has been done to Dominicans. Just look at the wickedness being committed against by sisters and de innocent children in the Loubiere, Colihaut and layou villages… 15 yrs of dust day and night… now is collass eyh Las
    What is the definition of genocide?

    To satisfy a French business man/or comrade of the french passport bearer?
    After all is it not a signed allegance?
    If it were not would the passport not have been withdrawn by the French immigration?
    What is the definition of genocide?

    Is it not just a population change that is being done? Ethnic clensing? Was that not what the mural at masscre is all about? Was it not the French who tried 7 wars to exterminate the Neg Maroon and Kalinago?

  6. curious in Texas
    March 29, 2010

    Alright people let us put it this way the uwp has analyzed that the 90% of the dominican voters who voted for the DLP have disrespected them, so basically the UWP is taking you all to court, so that the judge can elect them into power, and therefore the leader would be the legitimate prime minister,now if they new that why did they ask the voters for their vote in the last election?

  7. curious in Texas
    March 29, 2010

    Ok people, let us put it this way, the uwp has performed a mathematical equation and has analyzed the

  8. March 29, 2010

    I believe in the Constitution and it’s worth fighting for it have no party gender it’s the law of the land and no one is above the law, then if that’s the case the doors to the prisions should be opened so everyone can walk out and be free that’s what it’s about. I agree that it should be over by now we should have a decision from the COURT so the people can go about doing what it takes to bring DOMINICANS together for the development of the ISLAND, but look what happened the Court put the case all the way to June month,that’s why justice in DOMINICA can never be determind .

    DLP and the PM must know by now not all DOMINICANS can be bought and the people of MARIGOT Village will stand up for Democrarcy so dont try to underestimate us you will never win we will not give you your one party government because it is wrong for the country.

    • Truth B Told
      March 31, 2010

      I would agree a one party state is certainly not the ideal situation; however, the DLP is doing an excellent job bringing Dominica forward and it is time for the UWP to stop crying and complaining and join the rest of Dominica in the development process.

      Refusing to do the job that the voters in their constituencies elected them to do is definitely not the way forward. An honest and thoughtful opposition is one of the hallmarks of our political system, by refusing to participate in the process the UWP is insulting all those who have gone before them. Even our children know it is wrong to quit just because things don’t go your way. You have to stay the course and do what’s right.

      C’mon guys, show some backbone and leadership represent the people who voted for you, isn’t that why you contested the elections in the first place?

  9. People Power
    March 29, 2010

    Stay out UWP. That is where you belong. We don’t need boys in the house.

  10. looking in
    March 29, 2010

    What is wrong with these people who are desperate for power by any means come on Mr PM make them know who is in charge they cannot say they did not get a warning call de by elections I coming back to campaing full force this time it will be greater because only three we wil be concentrating on more sewo

  11. live up
    March 29, 2010

    i am a dominican ,and the thing i hate to here is dominicans calling our own ppl stupid .it is sad ugly and embarising.we out here, when our people at home keep calling dominician those names it is sick .stop it ,we are inteligent the best in the world.

  12. Concerned
    March 29, 2010

    Workers, go and represent the people who voted you all, people’s parliament is not the place to represent your ppl!

  13. Liberated
    March 29, 2010

    These guys should be banned from taking part in any electoral activities for the next twenty years. they continue to show disrespect not only to their constituents who wasted their votes on them but also to all Dominicans who cherish our democracy and our pride as a nation.
    Three strikes and their out permanently.

  14. max
    March 29, 2010

    Then Skerrit will be able to move mountains. Let the courts decide first. What’s the rush? You Dominicans are so myopic it is not funny. Maybe after he get three more seat he will appoint a Chinese senator. Do you people know what’s happening to your country people????? Bury you heads in sand still………….

  15. de caribbean change
    March 29, 2010

    It is simple Mr PM – call a bye-election in those three constituences as soon as possible. These guys need to understand that the people of Dominica have spoken at the ballot box. They do not want the UWP. They do not want the Freedom Party. They do not want Para Riviere. They do not want Bernard Wiltshire. What part of the English do these guys do not understand? I am wondering whether they passed GCE O’level in English back in their days. Does Ron Green want the court to turn the table upside down and give the UWP 18 seats and the Labour Party 3 seats? And then he can go back to LaPlaine feeling happy? Ron Green needs to enroll in some kind of retirement community and keep the old people like himself happy everyday. Then Norris Prevost does not look polished enough to be a Minister far less the PM. His face and hair look dishellved and unkempt.. Edison James needs to plant more bananas in Marigot and resume teaching agricultural science at the St. Mary’s Academy. Para is not charismatic and has an anti-man voice. Bernard Wiltshire needs a shake up and to look like a real man.

    • d/can in j/a
      March 29, 2010

      lmao @ Para having an anti-man voice

  16. March 29, 2010

    Wondering how long will they fly with broken wings…..One more time before permanent vacation Ron and company.

  17. March 29, 2010

    UWP all u tired !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LABOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!

  18. March 29, 2010

    Cant wate for the by-election,

  19. nigel
    March 29, 2010

    ….what is the point of boycotting parliament.??? is there are point to be made? should the work of the country and government stop just because three … can’t accept defeat?
    maybe if they had done a better job of campaigning and do what politicians do best “LIE” maybe they would have won.
    this … should be concentrating on the next 5yrs, but the truth is they know most Dominicans are ignorant and stupid and might think what they are doing is OK so go ahead …

    • March 29, 2010

      Boy stop wearing your ignorance as a badge of honor. Perrie Charles say it to his labour supporter. Now my point is they got to boycott parliament to push their point which is Electoral Reform. So to all the critic that hasn’t seen that, this is the point. As for development, dominica has a long way to go Skeritt, Edison, Ron, Pappy and Savarin cannot do by them self. It got to be a united front. When PJ was in power Savarin was head of the class when they were pushing to prevent a certain law by PJ GOVERNMENT. We had a 49 days strike that did not stop Dominica from developing. So please if u’re saying this because it’s Workers that is not right,be a Dominican first and a supporter last.

      • Eric Cartman
        March 30, 2010

        we do have a united front in d/a/. Didn’t you see the the electoral map after the elections? Dominicans decided that Skerrit is the right man for the job by an overwhelming margin. and that’s despite all the scandals which were spiralling at the time.

        18-3. It’s pretty obvious many former freedomites and i’m sure some UWPites voted Labour this time around bcuz they were the only viable option. Tell Ron McCain to hang it up he is unwanted.

        No amount of electoral reform could have made UWP win more than 6 seats in that last election.

  20. Wait A Minute
    March 29, 2010

    Giving continued coverage to this stupidity is frankly getting quite boring……NEXT

    • true dat
      March 29, 2010

      fuh real… NEXT

  21. Jepter
    March 29, 2010

    I am not one who is in agreement with the Government fielding in any candidates in those constituencies, even while i am a supporter of the present administration. I am of the view that some other opposition party should be supported in those constituencies just s that there be some kind of opposition and debate in parliament. Should they be voted in and decide to go the way of the UWP, only then should another bi-election be called and the Government field in its winning candidates.

    • Eric Cartman
      March 30, 2010

      your heart is in the right place but your point is ridiculous. so u’re saying that in roseau central where the DLP came so close to winning, if there is a by election, labourites should not have the opportunity to vote who they want to represent them, just so that there can be opposition?

      is this some new kind of democracy? u’re saying that labourites should be forced to vote sarah palin of the dfp or not vote at all? nonsense.

  22. tired and fed up
    March 29, 2010

    key diab melee nous epi yo. The country is moving on. Ground breaking left, right and center, civil servants are being paid on time, Marcia take a regional crown. Let them dig their own grave and add more nails to the UWP coffin.STUUPES

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