Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has urged voters in Roseau North to support Dominica Labour Party (DLP) candidate Ashma McDougall in the upcoming by-election, telling residents that the United Workers Party (UWP) has disappointed those who have supported it over the years.
Skerrit was speaking during a recent meeting in Gutter Village, where he appealed particularly to young people to participate in the election and consider what he described as the consequences of their choices.
“And I want to say to the young people that that which you want for yourself must start with choices that you make on September 7,” he said. “You cannot want to sit out in the campaign or vote the wrong choice and expect things to get better for you tomorrow.”
He encouraged residents to turn out on election day, while making clear which candidate he believes they should support.
“And so my sincere advice to you is to come out and vote, but importantly vote for the better candidate that is available for this by-election,” Skerrit said.
The Prime Minister also addressed residents who have not traditionally supported the DLP, telling them that their previous political choices should not prevent them from considering McDougall in the upcoming contest.
Skerrit said, “As far as we are concerned, that doesn’t matter anymore,” referring to those who have never voted for the Labour Party.
He argued that the Roseau North by-election provides an opportunity for voters to reassess their political decisions and focus on what he described as the country’s wealth and well-being.
“You have an opportunity to show to yourself and to your family that, yes, you voted for the workers party, elections gone but these are different times. These are times when you have a more sober opportunity to make the right decision about the wealth and well-being of Dominica,” he stated.
Skerrit then turned his criticism directly toward the UWP, saying supporters had invested significant personal resources and effort in the party only to feel abandoned.
“Because the reality is the Workers’ Party has let you down. They have disappointed you. You invested all your years in them. You spent the money that you never had in them. You followed them. You fought for them, you cursed for them, and they have always abandoned you.”
He went on to question the current position of the UWP in Roseau North and argued that voters now have a straightforward decision to make.
“And see where the Workers’ Party is today. And so you have never had a simpler choice to make in the history of politics in Roseau North. The choice couldn’t be so clear and so easy to make on September 7, that is to vote for Ashma McDougall and the Dominica Labour Party.”
The Roseau North by-election is being contested by McDougall for the DLP, Daniel “Danny” Lugay for the UWP, and independent candidate Sherman Boston.
The election is scheduled for September 7, with the candidates making their final appeals to voters as polling day approaches.
