Jubilant scenes of solidarity dominate DLP national rally

Dominica's prime minister led an electrifying rally at his party's annual gathering, declaring that now "the time has come for us to up de ting".

Speaking to a crowd of thousands instead Benjamin's Park, Roosevelt Skerrit expressed gratitude for the support given to his Dominica Labour Party government, especially in recent months when it has faced a barrage of unsubstantiated claims from members of the opposition party.

He said: “They went around this country, the region and even on CBS television telling the world the worst possible things about Roosevelt Skerrit and the Dominica Labour Party administration. I said not a word.”

[caption id="attachment_1147" align="alignleft" width="300"] Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.[/caption]

The address served as PM Skerrit’s salvo, after enduring months of what he described as “the systematic undermining of the Citizenship By Investment (CBI) programme”– despite a number of benefits being felt throughout the country.

While the Roseau West Bridge is the highest profile CBI undertaking to be completed so far, the Prime Minister detailed the range of CBI-financed projects that will or have already positively impacted the country, both socially and economically.

He then questioned the fate of the country should the opposition party succeed with destroying everything his party has sought to accomplish.

“The question that I ask this evening is: what would become of the poor people in this country, during the period of rebuild by a United Workers Party administration? What would happen to the National Employment Programme during that time? What would happen to the Seniors Allowance that is currently guaranteed under Labour?”

Herbert Volney, special guest speaker for the rally, called for for the legalisation of marijuana in Dominica, though it was his earlier assertions about the credibility of the Skerrit administration that appeared to resonate most with the throng of supporters.

Volney stressed the need for solidarity during his address, stating that “the way of the unGodly shall perish!”

“Dominicans must come to appreciate what they have – and you have Roosevelt Skerrit. Anytime someone says something is wrong with Dominica, put them in their place. They don’t pay taxes and they don’t know the development that has taken place. Dominica has the best roads in the Caribbean.”

[caption id="attachment_1148" align="alignright" width="232"] Guest speaker Herbert Volney.[/caption]

Justice Volney is a Dominican who works in nearby Trinidad and Tobago. He rose to become a judge of their supreme court, and served as the justice minister in former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's cabinet.

Downpours threatened to dampen proceedings but this didn't stop the fiery mood of Reginald Austrie.

The Minister of Housing, Lands and Water Resource Management set the tone for the speeches as he announced that his party was the only one in Dominica, arguing that the DLP’s love for Dominicans is unmatched.

“To be a political party, people have to be at the centre of that party. You have to love and want to help people. You cannot want to represent elderly people and call them greedy people, or represent young people and call them prostitutes.”

Posing a parting question to the opposition, he asked: “Where is your vision for Dominica?”