ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – The main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) says it will formally launch its campaign for the next general election when it presents its 21 candidates at a rally in the capital on May 19.
Skerrit could call early election
The general election is constitutionally due here in March next year, but political observers say Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit could announce the date for later this year. The ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP), which is seeking an unprecedented fifth consecutive term in power, has already started introducing its candidates for the poll.
“On Sunday, 19th May our 21 member team of champions for real change in the governance of the affairs of Dominica, our Isle of Beauty, our Isle of Splendor will be presented to the people of Dominica, to the people of the Caribbean and the rest of the world,” UWP leader, Lennox Linton told a news conference.
Linton, who is leading the party into a second consecutive general election, said the event will be held at the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard in the heart of the capital.
“This team was very carefully selected to represent the best alignment of leadership and management resources to the responsibility of national development and we are pleased to introduce the team to you,” he said, adding that the UWP team has been put together to serve on the solid foundation principles of equal opportunity, social justice and balanced, harmonious people-centered development.
“This is a team that will have front and centre, nature island citizen engagement and participation that brings government, people, businesses, civil society groups and neighbourhoods in a collective effort to make Dominica the real authentic, one and only Nature Island of the World,” he stated.
“This is a team that will be focused and committed to good transparent accountable government that is about solutions, positive results, fair treatment and just rewards for all.”
Linton said that a future UWP government would also focus on education, healthcare, sports and entertainment opportunities, affordable land and housing for all.
“A team that will pursue continuous improvement to the livelihoods and standards of living of all the citizens of Dominica. A team that will fix its attention on civility, responsible, global citizenship and respect for diversity and unity of purpose in all citizens,” he noted.
Linton said that the vision of the UWP is to make Dominica the best place to live, the best place to work and the best place to enjoy life.
In the last general election in December 2014, the UWP won six of the 21 seats, doubling the number of seats it won in the 2009 poll.
