Four factors contributing in downfall of UWP in Dominica: A survey based study

The Commonwealth of Dominica will be polling on Friday 6 December 2019. As the elections are just a day ahead, WIC NEWS surveyed on the island to understand the voting preferences of the nationals.

Firstly, we must understand the vote share of people to political parties in Dominica as there are only two major parties in Dominica, Dominica Labour Party (DLP) and United Workers Party (UWP). It is considered that each party has around 40% of people who are always aware of the political party they are supporting and entirely interested in voting for the same. However, 20 per cent of the total voters are often non-supporters to any party.

For greater success, each party requires to influence that twenty per cent of undecided voters. These twenty per cents are intellectuals and students.

WIC NEWS surveyed the people categorised into it and asked them several questions regarding their political support in upcoming general elections.

Through our survey, the team concluded four significant aspects that are contributing to the success of DLP while the downfall of opposition in upcoming general elections.

1. UWP's misbehaviour with Bishop Gabriel Malzaire
2. Violent Protests and destruction to public and private properties
3. Expose of Lennox Linton by Al- Jazeera
4. Failure in presenting agenda oriented manifesto
5. Lack of youth participation in UWP events

According to the survey conducted by the team, the people are oppressed by the recent acts of violence by the United Workers Party and their leader Lennox Linton.

The survey concluded that the recent act of misbehaviour by opposition leader Lennox Linton's brother, Brian Linton with the Bishop Gabriel Malzaire have hurt the sentiments of people. The viral video clearly shows the misconducts with his lordship by Brian Linton and other UWP members. After the incident, Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit apologised to Bishop Gabriel and demanded the apology from the opposition as well.

Another critical constituent that has hindered the 20% vote bank from supporting UWP is the recent acts of violence occurring in the country for political interests. The focus group told the team that they are disappointed with the continuous acts of violence on the island, which is destroying properties and tourism in the country. As per the focus group, they have never had such experiences in their heartland before.

Al-Jazeera's documentary titled 'Diplomats for Sale' has a vital augmentation in influencing the voting interests of voters consisting of intellectuals and students. The documentary exposed the opposition leader by revealing an MoU signed by him agreeing on the sale of a diplomat passport for USD 400,000 in his initial days if he succeeds to be the PM of Dominica.

It seems like United Workers Party launched its manifesto with the least interest and hardships, the survey revealed that UWP's declaration is somewhat the lower grade representation of 'Dynamic Dominica by DLP.'

People revealed that the United Workers Party's manifesto could not do as well as they had expected. Youth says they are ultimately thwarted by United Workers Party and their incompetent promises.

A youth namely Erick Johnson, resident of Roseau Central constituency said that initially, he was backer of UWP and much influenced by their agenda, but along with the developments of political propaganda by opposition party same as many he aligned with policies and vision of Roosevelt Skerrit. "I am a student of Dominica State College and resident of Roseau, and I was shattered following the news of brutal attempts to set ablaze and violent protests by UWP supporters. Being an educated person, Mr Lennox Linton should follow the right and lawful path to lobby for his agenda, unlike taking the road of disturbance in Dominica. I can not imagine how Dominica will look if by mistake Mr Linton become the Prime Minister of Dominica."

"The time is not right to vote UWP," added Erick Johnson.

On the other hand, the Dominica Labour Party seems to be the higher option for this 20% of vote bank. The downfall factors of UWP are supporting the Dominica Labour Party, and people are opting for DLP for its development, non-violent behaviour and future goals.

People expressed their thoughts on the allegations on PM Skerrit and stated that the failure of representation of pieces of evidence against PM Skerrit is making those allegations false.