The Dominican.net

By Wilbert Connor - Political Commentator

Perhaps a comprehensive and conscious effort needs to be made by all those concerned to revolutionize the manner in which candidates are chosen to run for general elections.

I concur with regret that any popular guy or woman in a community qualifies him or her to be called upon as a potential parliamentary representative, at least in Dominica. This is unfortunate even today when the intricacies of running, or rather managing a country are more demanding.

Leaders of the three major parties.

Granted, there is public claim that Romanus Bannis was a ‘good’ parl. Rep. – he beat two doctors to become the eventual representative for the Castle Bruce Constituency in 1990 and 1995. His popularity benefited the United Workers Party (UWP).

Reginald Austrie, the Minister for Petro Caribe has not been a role model for those who aspire to make politics a career. Mr. Skerritt has been able to use his youth, connections, and skills (not really sure) along with his training in psychology to make headway in his political life.

The increase in remunerations may at long last attract dedicated and bright minds into the political fold. The current government ministers have broken the record of being the first beneficiaries of a decent salary. The timing is a whole new and separate question of conscience!

The Freedom Party had Heskeith Alexander and Henry George holding significant ministries in agriculture and education respectively. Did they really help or retard these areas of development in the country? Thanks to them for volunteering their services over the years, however.

We must set standards and minimum requirements and qualifications for those wanting to serve the country at the highest levels. It’s not a matter of wanting to do it, but being ably qualified to be a partner in managing a precarious country like Dominica.

Charles Saverin and Julius Timothy, for all intents and purposes, have been a disservice to their (former) parties and constituents. We do know better that it’s not all for the national good as the reason for crossing the floor. Both Timothy and Saverin have used their ‘influence’ to desecrate the UWP and Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) by their calculated departure from their parties.

Leaders

Who stands out as the best political leader in Dominica right now? Your guess is as good as mine. Objectivity can help answer the question. Otherwise, if you profess to be a Labourite the obvious answer is Skerritt.

If you’re a UWP-ite, Ron Green (some may dare say Edison James); Judith Pestaina if you are a Freedomite, Dr. Riviere if you are a supporter of the PDM. Pappy has a massive listenership but not a following. What grants either of them the supremacy of leader in Dominica?

Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is its leader but his presidency is highly questionable. Roosevelt Skerritt’s prime ministership has been questioned both here and abroad, just like Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad & Tobago is a born again Christian.

Let’s examine our party leaders. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is 37 years old. This has its advantages and disadvantages. He is sometimes confused about the way forward with a one track mind – it’s the One-China Policy- that’s it.

It’s the stadium (with no international airport and hotels, parking etc. to complement this albeit, needed infrastructure), that’s it! But is that what we judge him by? Well, by these of course, and his strong quest to keep (the new) Labour alive.

Ronald "Ron" Green was always looked at as quietly intelligent with hidden leadership potential. His varied and rich background naturally attracts a wide following. Whether or not we all agree this following spans across party political boundaries.

Will this really work out to his advantage as new leader of the UWP? Ron may create an interesting web of followers and command much respect, something which was lacking from his predecessor.

As the sole woman political leader in the game Judith Pestina brings with her some characteristics of the great old Dame. She brings natural acumen, a meticulous way of doing things and a certain level of boldness to the DFP.

However, I think her quest for leadership of this country is somehow delayed by her relative late start in the process. We still need to be mindful of her past distinguished career in diplomatic circles.

Dr. William “Para” Riviere is a political scientist, historian and lawyer. Sounds like the text book leader, the possible best there is. His style is best suited for an educated, sophisticated and well-read electorate.

Unfortunately, we have not reached that far in Dominica, politically. And so, for Para, I don’t think we know what we’re missing.

In Dominica, some of us vote for party, for individuals (the candidate) on our own. Others vote for any leader, just like that! Some get converted rather quickly changing parties like we’re changing clothes. Others ‘stay where their mother put them’. This is Dr. Riviere’s fundamental challenge.

The Parties

US senator and democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama showed in the United States presidential primaries that money mattered for effective campaigning and producing results. The DLP showed similar clout in 2005, and they won. The morality of the victory for some is another issue.

The UWP used a local strategists like Brian Linton to manage its campaign in 2005, while the DLP with all its financial resources had Hartley Henry et al. The DFP was swallowed up in victory to use a biblical expression, and the PDM was perhaps still in its embryonic stage.

The ‘none of your damn business where Labour got its money from…’ was a sour point in the last campaign. Some contend that the UWP should have played a little dirtier to get by. It was the Taiwan-China melee’ all through.

Traditionally, or so it appears local political parties are sought after to pledge allegiance to a world power player if they get elected. Will the UWP get back it demand status? Or, are those days a thing of the past?

Can the DFP reach that stage, or think about 2015? With the changing fortunes in the global economy would the Labour party become similarly impecunious?

The DFP’s finance base is unknown, although observers have noticed that some local businessmen in Roseau are beginning to show their support in more ways than one in recent times.

It’s an obvious demonstration of disgust with the status quo. What some of the well-to-dos have been waiting for was an organized and effective DFP to rally around the ‘indelible mark’ left by Mamo over a decade ago.

They do not think that they’ll be ready in one and a half year’s time but can create an impact with the UWP the next time around. The DFP shares common concerns with the UWP on the Integrity in Public Office (IPO) Act of 2003, concerns over allegations of corruption, and mismanagement of the country and economy.

Chances at the 2010 polls

Forget about the pollsters, al least for now. Strategists use pollsters to present the picture of the political state of a country at a particular point in time. The DLP uses these poll results to maintain or create a ‘particular status quo’.

The results may represent a true reflection of the particular state at that point in time. What have all the polls shown in the past? For one, we can agree that there’s a possibility of skewed results depending on who sponsors the polls and the point in time it was conducted.

The authenticity of the exercise must be determined by independent individuals or independent institutions. Interpretation of results is another factor that can influence a following to a party or away from the party.

It is widely believed that incumbent parties generally stand a better chance at re-election, ceteris paribus. Based on this theory, Labour has the advantage. The government has the government machinery at its disposal, the connections, the subtle, overt, covert propaganda machinery, the DBS, the GIS etc.

But, as we saw in 2000, this is not always the case. The DLP and DFP got into an (uncomfortable) marriage of convenience for a common cause ‘to get the UWP out at any cost’. Some think we are still counting the cost. Ask Mamo, well she’s dead, but check Crazy’s archives, or ask Athie Martin.

Talking about Athie, if Athie Martin, Lennox Linton, Angelo Alleyne, et al have their way a reversal of fortunes for Labour may just come through. Their resilient quest for justice, grace mercy and peace and the implementation of the IPO unceasing never may just bear fruit.

The UWP needs to go back to Edison James and its original themes of “Fear No More”. As we are on themes, as you are reading ask yourself if all are eating. I know it depends on who is answering the question.

If you’re eating, you may vote red again. If you are not eating, or were eating well you have a choice to make. It’s one of four: (i) don’t vote at all; (ii) vote the DFP; (iii) vote the UWP; or (iv) vote the PDM. Well, for entertainment, the pappy show!

The DFP has some momentum but not enough time for 2010 unless they have large sums of money to begin a massive campaign. They have quality in a cadre of professionals, but not quantity (a large following). The same may be said of the PDM.

So far, the average Dominican still sees the DLP getting back into power if elections are held today, vis-à-vis the lack of readiness by the opposition parties.

Skerritt’s reputation may have been tainted, but he still commands the title of most popular leader in the country, fortunately or unfortunately. Some contend that the DLP started its re-election campaign after it won in 2005 with unconventional methods of governing.

It’s alleged that ministers/parl reps give money directly to all and sundry for various projects, directly to village councils which are supposed to be politically neutral.

Ponder on this question: Are good candidates hard to find? What about Julius Timothy/UWP and the Roseau North constituency? According to Bob Marley, “Chances are…” What about Loreen Bannis-Roberts? Has she concretized her position in Castle Bruce? Is electoral reform too late for the UWP?

The UWP sees into the future and the crystal ball shows – no reform, we lose again because there will be no free and fear elections. The watchword for each party should be formidable candidates.

That should represent each candidate’s basic character. No longer would it be sufficient for DLP candidates to depend on the popularity of Skerro. That’s a phenomenon of the past. Labour has to garner strength from the freedom converts.

Swanson Carbon has repented and confessed his regret with remorse the indelible. His salvation and that of all true freedomites will only come if they support Workers in 2010.

No one party can stand alone, at least not just yet. Wizard’s words are still true, “Those were the days, brother those were the days….” when Freedom won landslides victories in the ‘80s. I reckon that not even Labour can do it alone, much less for Workers.

We must note the initiative by the UWP to have a sustained weekly radio programme, The Workers’ Voice. It’s a matter of quantity and not quality, though. It’s too monotonous.

The Political Hour is an unprecedented political radio programme with an approach that deals with issues from a grass-roots mind and spirit angle. Freedom & You is dynamic bringing back the politics of the ‘80s.

But how many people do these programmes reach with the education and opinions they provide? Somebody needs to conduct a scientific study. The government/DLP is in a category by itself taking advantage, fairly or unfairly of the media at their disposal: Discoveries on DBS with Cecil, Focus on Government with Mervin, The Heng with Mervin, and GIS etc.

The DLP has been campaigning since their victory in 2005! I know for sure that the morning talk shows have a greater listenership than the night shows. We may soon see political parties purchasing morning talk show time – it may soon turn to syndicated programmes.

An intriguing phenomenon over the last eight years during the life of the DLP administration is the fascinating number of ministers that have passed through the respective ministries.

This is just unprecedented and for fairness sake it has not just been for logical cabinet reshuffle only. There have been three prime ministers, four ministers of agriculture, and three ministers of education.

OK, two ministers of community development. There has been five attorney generals, three ministers of trade, three ministers of health, among others.

Never mind that the ministry managers, otherwise called permanent secretaries remain in place, but they have to put up with different minister changes each with different personalities, different visions for his/her ministry, and different temperaments.

A start and stop, stop and start modus oparandi of basic functions and projects is commonplace. Oh, what about the divide and rule philosophy of some ministries? Consider some examples: legal affairs, ports, attorney general’s office, communication and works, aviation, public utilities, etc.

What’s the rationale or sensible logic with all those divisions? My mind tells me that the minister must suit the ministry, not circumstances must suit the minister. This goes for any administration.

And there are some perennial seat winners who for some known and unknown reasons cannot be made ministers like Urban Baron, well “Rome” dead. However, Kelly Graneau got through. I guess circumstances made him what he’s been.

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