In a surprise political development, Senator Delbert Paris has stepped down as deputy political leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Dominica’s main opposition party. UWP political leader Dr. Thomson Fontaine confirmed Paris’ resignation to Dominica News Online (DNO) on Monday. No formal reason was disclosed.
Paris’ sudden exit comes amid growing tensions within the party, especially following his controversial vote in support of the Electoral Commission Act during a parliamentary session on March 19, 2025. The UWP, which is part of the broader Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC), had been actively protesting the legislation, arguing it lacked adequate public consultation and transparency. Paris’ decision to side with the government on the bill drew sharp criticism from within his own ranks.
A civil engineer by profession, Paris was nominated to the Senate by independent MP Anthony Charles, who won the Marigot seat in the 2022 general election. He joined the UWP leadership in December 2024 after losing a bid for the party’s top position to Dr. Fontaine. Despite that loss, he was elected deputy leader, defeating incumbent Ronald Charles.
His resignation—effective immediately—comes just four months into his tenure and has ignited debate both within the party and among political observers. Some see it as a reflection of deeper divisions within the UWP, which has been trying to regroup and present a united front ahead of future elections.
With Paris’ departure, the party is now left to manage internal fallout and consider a new deputy leader, even as it maintains its role as the primary political counterweight to the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP).
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