The ruling Dominica Labour Celebration (DLP) celebrated its seventieth anniversary on Sunday with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit reaffirming the get together’s dedication to democratic ideas and financial development, whereas heading off criticism over current political developments and regional backlash concerning the occasion.
Addressing a big crowd of supporters within the west coast village of Dublanc, Skerrit positioned the DLP as a cornerstone of Dominica’s democratic and developmental progress. “I proudly affirm our unwavering dedication to the ideas of democracy, transparency, and the rule of regulation,” he mentioned, emphasizing the get together’s help without cost and truthful elections, judicial independence, and civic engagement.
Barbadian Prime Minister and present CARICOM chair Mia Mottley joined the celebration, regardless of robust objections from Dominica’s Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC), which labeled her participation “extremely inappropriate.” The ERC had urged Mottley to abstain from attending, citing considerations over the federal government’s current passage of electoral reform laws and restrictions on protests.
Skerrit dismissed the criticism as “unadulterated foolishness,” thanking Mottley for standing in solidarity along with her regional counterparts. “She braved a firestorm of criticism… to be with us on our seventieth birthday,” he mentioned, defending her proper to attend and describing the backlash as politically motivated.
The rally served as each a retrospective of the DLP’s historical past and a reaffirmation of its long-standing governance. Skerrit famous that the get together has ruled for 43 of Dominica’s post-independence years. “This makes us essentially the most liked and trusted political get together in trendy Dominican historical past,” he declared.
Skerrit additionally used the platform to spotlight key improvement initiatives below his administration, together with the development of a world airport, resort infrastructure, well being services, and a geothermal power initiative. “Geothermal is hope; geothermal is sustainable residing,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged rising financial pressures, significantly the excessive price of residing, and pledged to handle the difficulty within the upcoming nationwide finances. Skerrit mentioned he would convene consultations on client costs and urged Dominicans to concentrate on necessities throughout these unsure instances. “I store, you store, guests store… I would like us to handle costs in Dominica,” he mentioned.
Responding to calls to chop youth employment packages, Skerrit stood agency. “We is not going to slam the door within the faces of the NEP employees,” he mentioned, highlighting ongoing help for youth initiatives just like the Youth Entrepreneurship Hubs and Dominica Youth Enterprise Belief.
Skerrit, who has led the federal government since 2004, closed his speech with a name for unity and perseverance. “Three rating and ten is the variety of years God has given this Labour Celebration. I perceive that in your eyes, this Dominica Labour Celebration should earn the fitting to a different time period… I’m nonetheless the captain of this ship, and I’ll do what is critical to calm the waters.”
The seventieth anniversary celebration, marked by passionate defenses of governance and forward-looking pledges, unfolded amid mounting scrutiny from opposition teams and regional observers—reflecting each the endurance and ongoing controversy surrounding one of many Caribbean’s longest-ruling political events.
