(Video of the conference can be viewed here: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/homepage-carousel/live-uwp-delagates-conference-2023/)
Eleven positions within the United Workers Party (UWP) are set to be contested during the Party’s Delegates Conference, scheduled for today. This annual gathering, slated to commence at 1:30 p.m at the Will Strathmore Stephen’s Primary School in Marigot, anticipates a turnover in leadership roles as part of the party’s proceedings.
The conference will witness the vacating of every executive position held by current party officers, paving the way for elections to fill these crucial roles. The positions open for contention include President and Vice President, Political Leader and Deputy, General Secretary and Assistant, Treasurer and Assistant, Public Relations Officer, International Secretary and three trustees.
As the conference unfolds, aspiring candidates will step forward, presenting their visions, capabilities, and commitment to serving the party’s interests in these influential roles.
One of the highly scrutinized positions up for contention is the leadership of the party. This pivotal role serves as the primary face and voice of the party’s political agenda, shaping its policies and serving as the embodiment of its ideologies. As the conference approaches, the current leader, Dr. Thompson Fontaine, has declared his intention to seek re-election.
Fontaine’s tenure, marked by fervent vows to uphold the party’s stance on electoral reform and civil disobedience within legal boundaries, has stirred both support and criticism, setting the stage for an intriguing leadership contest.
Fontaine’s rise to leadership occurred at the November 27, 2022 delegates conference, where he secured victory over Clement Marcellin with a notable 123-79 vote margin. This victory reshaped the UWP’s leadership landscape, elevating Marcellin to the role of Deputy Leader and positioning Fontaine as the torchbearer following the departure of former Opposition Leader Lennox Linton, who assumed the presidency unopposed.
Despite Fontaine’s spirited commitment to advancing the party’s agenda on electoral reform, his concurrent role as a policy advisor to the South Sudanese government has sparked concerns among party supporters. His absence from local party engagements due to his base in South Sudan has been a point of contention, prompting some to question the efficacy of his leadership within the UWP’s local realm.
Fontaine, undeterred by these challenges, has reaffirmed his candidacy for re-election as the party’s leader at the upcoming delegates conference. He stated that his determination to persist in advocating for electoral reforms in Dominica underscores his unwavering commitment to the party’s principles, despite the geographical constraints.
With his intent to seek re-election, Fontaine delivers a resounding message—a clarion call resonating with unwavering commitment and steadfast determination, via the ‘Talk on the Block’ program on Q95 FM radio.
“I think when people put their confidence in me last November, I think it was with the expectation that I would take them to at least one election cycle,” stated Dr. Fontaine. The weight of responsibility sits heavily on his shoulders, borne not only from the desire to lead but from the expectations that accompany this mantle.
Reflecting on the challenges and moments of doubt, Fontaine reveals a profound sentiment tethering him to Dominica. “My navel strings are buried in Grand Fond, and there is something about this country that draws me to it,” he confesses, articulating a deep-rooted connection that fuels his resolve.
Amidst the current political landscape rife with challenges, Fontaine’s leadership tenure has encountered its fair share of scrutiny. Criticisms abound, questions linger about his prolonged absence due to international commitments. However, he averred that his resolute stance remains unwavering.
“As a leader, part of my role is to do other things, to encourage support not just from within the party but also across party lines,” Fontaine explains, adding that his vision extends beyond the immediate confines of party politics, aiming to establish a profile and connections that transcend boundaries.
Having assumed leadership less than a year ago, Fontaine sheds light on the expectations set forth by the party and the electorate. “I think the decision that the party took to put me in as a leader was because they understood the potential that I could bring,” he explains. His appeal transcends party lines, fostering connections with both UWP and Labour Party supporters while championing an inclusive approach that respects every citizen’s place in the nation.
Fontaine emphasizes the need for a holistic perspective. “Being on the ground is just one aspect of effective leadership,” he asserts, underlining the need to consider multiple factors in evaluating leadership efficacy.
Asserting his unwavering commitment to the cause, Fontaine invokes history as a testament to his dedication. “People should not doubt my commitment to the ground,” he declares, recounting sacrifices made in the pursuit of victory, relinquishing a coveted position at the IMF to campaign on the streets of Dominica.
Anticipating a potential challenge to his leadership, Fontaine remains resolute, adhering to democratic principles and the tenets of the party’s constitution. “If the delegates feel I’m no longer of use because I’m not on the ground, then I’ll accept that,” he states, demonstrating a readiness to abide by the democratic process. “I have a vision for this country that I can communicate to the people of Dominica that they can buy into,” he states resolutely.
Fontaine concludes with a resounding pledge to the people of Dominica, anchored in a compelling vision for the nation’s future. “Give me this one chance, and we’re going to win the next elections,” he asserts, echoing his commitment to lead and inspire, guided by a vision that resonates with the populace.
Adding a layer of intrigue to the impending conference, internal sources within the party have hinted to Dominica News Online (DNO) at a potential challenge to Fontaine’s leadership bid. The Deputy Leader, Marcellin who previously sought the top position, is reportedly gearing up to contest for leadership once again.
Efforts made to contact the Chair of the nomination committee proved futile. However DNO will closely follow the delegates conference and report the results once it becomes available.
Some of the metrics used in business to measure a leader’s (CEO) effectiveness are profitability, return on investment, increase in share price to name a few. In politics one can measure the amount of money raised, standing in the polls, raising the profile of the party or leader. All this to ask, what methods has the UWP used to measure whether Thompson Fontaine has been an effective leader over the past year. One cannot just ask for a second term as leader without using data to determine whether that leader is moving the party in the right direction. I stand to be corrected, but I have not seen anything Thompson has done to convince me that he is the right leader at this time.
To say he is resolute in bringing about electoral reform is very lame in my opinion.
Leadership matters! The good leader must be people oriented. As a leader of a viable political alternative you should be on the ground, among the people, to touch flesh, to listen, to motivate, to inspire, to be abreast of the ever-changing dynamics in the country. Nothing in the country remains static.
Undoubtedly, Dr. Thompson Fontaine is an astute, perspicacious person. However, his insistence that he can wrestle power from a crime syndicate and lead a party from a remote distance to power is folly.
Demagoguery would not win over the skeptics. What is needed is hard and unceasing work on the ground, from house to house.
To dislodge this corrupt plutocracy from office, you must have boots on the ground, highly energised, ready to pounce on the mistakes of your opponents, and offer more prudent and practical alternatives.
DNO you have given a comprehensive and critical analysis of Dr. Fontaine’s leadership thus far of the UWP. It was unbiased as it was mostly factual. Good job. However, I wish you would also give an unvarnished assessment of Roosevelt’s leadership or lack thereof.
I must highly commend the UWP for holding their delegates conference annually as stipulated in the party’s constitution. We cannot state the same thing of the serial violator of the DLP. Starboy of Stupidity and Corruption handpicks only sycophants who worship him.
When was the last time the DLP held a delegates conference? Many, many moons ago,clear signs of democratization and unscrupulousness.
DNO, I humbly suggest that you follow up with an article about the DLP’s failure of adhering to this tenet of their constitution. When a ruling
political party refuses to follow the principles of its own party, the local news outlets should vociferously publicise this anomaly. Stop dimming democracy.
Roosevelt Skerrit stays as solid as a rock. Look around Dominica from Scotts-Head to Capuchin you will see all the tangible achievements and successes thus far under the Skerrit’s Administration and there are more to come in 2024. We do not need a military leader, a peace broker in Sudan to be our Prime Minister. This is unprecedented. By the way, who pays for all these positions up for grabs in the UWP? They had better find a real job or find themselves in Sudan fighting all dem warring factions or be a peace-broker like their IMF leader. Skerrit remains the Indomitable, the Invincible. Say what you want, Ibo, we are here to stay. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
God blessings are with this team… Mr. Fontaine….make yourself stronger… what u are going through with this government will not b forever….just let them know u are at peace… look at then ….miserable people.. imagine them did not have a manifesto to say what they expect to do…very very lazy team