Two roads to politics – Development or Deceive

The Caribbean has many small islands with a population of around 44.5 million people collectively. But, even though these islands are small and have a lesser population, becoming a politician is quite a task. The Commonwealth of Dominica an Isle in the region is known for being the ‘Nature Island’, this developing state lends itself well to two major paths towards political fame.

The country which will be celebrating its 41 years of political independence on the 3^rd of November is currently the 74^th largest economy in the world. Political journey of Dominica started way back decades ago when indigenous leaders of the country fought to attain their country back from the rulers of Great Britain. However, the legal system of the island is still based on the ‘English Common Law’.

The current Prime Minister of the island Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit has been holding this position since the year 2004 when the former Prime Minister Pierre Charles died during his tenure. At that time Skerrit became the youngest head of government in the world for holding this position at the age of 31years.

But, how did he possibly become able to hold the position for so long? As we have mentioned earlier that Dominica has two major paths to be a political leader in the country. The first path is for a person to dedicate oneself to the community, creating tangible benefits for locals and thereby building credibility, trust, and loyalty.

Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit has walked this path. He spearheaded the Housing Dominica project after the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Erika and, later, Hurricane Maria, providing homes to those who had been displaced and funding residential communities built to withstand future natural disasters. The flagship project at Bellevue Chopin has already seen families establish themselves in their new homes, and more housing works have been undertaken across 15 sites in Dominica.

Dr. Skerrit has also pledged to make Dominica the world’s first-ever climate-resilient nation, encouraging investment in green energy and, notably, in a 7-megawatt geothermal power plant. His vision has extended to the private sector too – where Prime Minister Skerrit’s administration has focused on the advancement of sustainable, environmentally-friendly developments, particularly through the approval of real estate projects under Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme. The Cabrits Resort Kempinski, scheduled to open this coming autumn, is one such development, as is locally-designed Tranquillity Beach Resort.

The Prime Minister’s commitment to the Citizenship by Investment Programme, an important source of non-tax revenue, is also notable. Funds from the Citizenship by Investment Programme have been used, for example, to restore damaged roads across the country, hospitals, health centres, and schools. The National Employment Programme, responsible for 3,896 internships between 2013 and 2019, is also funded by citizenship by investment. Agriculture, including Dominican fisheries, has also been assisted by the Citizenship by Investment Programme.

There is, however, a second path to political fame. This second path, whilst effective in garnering media attention, see politicians rise to prominence by frustrating the normal course of business and creating discomfort and disquiet.

Of recent, UWP leader Lennox Linton has raised media interest by attempting to block roads and stage 10-or-so person protests to campaign against the current Government. Unable to point to substantial achievements of his own, this politician criticises the achievements of others – even when these achievements are remarkable and beneficial to Dominica, and his criticisms unfounded and damaging. He is vociferous – this makes him famous, but not popular.

The citizens of Dominica have concrete evidence before their eyes of what a dedicated politician can achieve for them, and are unlikely to be deceived by activity that is loud yet has little substance to it.