Dominica PM Skerrit puts pressure on Linton over UWP 'leadership challenge'

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has told parliament that a “leadership struggle” is “clearly” going on within the opposition United Workers’ Party.

And he urged them to sort their internal struggles by talking to the party’s delegates – as at present the opposition is only focused on creating “havoc and destruction”, the prime minister said.

Skerrit’s comments came during a lively session of parliament on Friday, one which saw the conduct of UWP politicians come into the focus of Speaker Alix Boyd Knights.

Joseph Isaac, member of parliament for Roseau Central was repeatedly threatened with ejection.

'Upstage each other'

Closing up the morning session, the prime minister said: ”All they want to do, Madame Speaker, all the opposition elements in this country, is to create havoc and destruction.

That is what it is. And then they come here, Madame Speaker, and want to upstage each other. Clearly there is a leadership struggle. Clearly there is a leadership struggle. Clearly, Madame Speaker.

“And then there is the majority of the membership on the opposite side who believe the leadership of the leader of the opposition is found wanting.”

“So, Madame Speaker, when members come here and say, ‘I am 99% statesman and 1% politician’, who are you saying that to? Who are you saying that to, Madame Speaker?

"And when you say, Madame Speaker, when you publicly in the parliament now, you disassociate yourself, you disassociate yourself with some of the pronouncements made by the leader of the opposition.

“Master, if you want to be leader of the Workers’ Party, go and talk to the delegates. Talk to the delegates. We saw your press conference when the leader told you go and do your business, go ahead and the leader was right next door when you had your press conference and he was unavailable."

Lennox Linton has been leader of the UWP since 2013.