The Hon. Roosevelt SkerritPrime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica ‘Response to Dr. Thompson Fontaine on the electoral bill’
March, 2025
My fellow Dominicans,
There has been much speculation and misinformation surrounding the recent vote in the Parliament of Dominica on electoral reform. It is important to set the record straight.
Dr. Thompson Fontaine, who has no elected position or official opposition status in Dominica, has been making public statements suggesting that the electoral reform bill was rushed through with only two people speaking on it. This is an outright lie. The truth is that several ministers and opposition members made their contributions on the bill, including the Attorney General, Hon. Denise Charles Pemberton, Hon. Melissa Skerrit, Hon. Octavia Alfred, Hon. Dr. Vince Henderson, Hon. Anthony Charles, Hon. Lorraine Henderson Reid, Hon. Daren Pinard, Hon. Rayburn Blackmore, Hon. Jesma Paul and Hon. Delbert Paris himself. This is a matter of public record, and it is available for everyone to see.
Moreover, Dr. Fontaine has gone as far as to say that Delbert Paris, his own deputy leader, made a mistake in voting for the bill. This is a blatant contradiction, as Hon. Paris took to the public domain to clearly explain his reasons for supporting key aspects of the reform. He never said he made a mistake. In fact, in his own words, he acknowledged that while the bill is not perfect, it contains important provisions that are steps in the right direction, including cleaning the voters’ list and enhancing transparency. Hon. Paris and the United Workers Party have consistently advocated for these measures, and his vote was a deliberate and reasoned choice.
So, I must ask: Did Hon. Delbert Paris make a mistake, as Dr. Thompson Fontaine has stated publicly? Or is Dr. Fontaine so desperate to discredit this process that he would throw his own deputy under the bus? Hon. Paris, it is time to be clear: Did you make a mistake? Did you not understand the parliamentary process? Dr. Fontaine has declared to the entire region that you are inexperienced and incompetent.
The United Workers Party, led by a man who holds no legitimate political office, seems intent on causing division through misinformation and deceit. They have spent years calling for electoral reform, yet when progress is made, they undermine their own representatives and spread falsehoods to create chaos. This is not leadership, it is irresponsibility.
Dominica deserves better. We are committed to the truth, to progress, and to securing a future where democracy is respected and strengthened. We will not be distracted by those who seek to destabilise our country for their own political gain.
Thank you, and may God continue to bless our beloved nation.
