Dominica's UWP should avoid fighting against itself and the future

That critical step is to provide the party with a new face and a new message – and probably younger leader. But would this cause a split between the party’s old guard and its younger turks lead by my high school class mate Danny Lugay?

If this face lift does not occur, some observers contend that the party will have squandered another opportunity to compete and may render itself obsolete. Observers say that in addition to the constituencies, which will sway their way, UWP need to pick up an additional 3 or 4 seats to form the next government. If the UWP’s senior wing releases its strangle hold on the party it may be difficult but doable.

What about the UWP agreeing to give the nod to the Washington DC based and Grand Fond man, former IMF economist Dr. Thomson Fontaine to shake things up and call the shots? Fontaine’s name has been regularly mentioned in these circles and he has been looking for a political home. In addition, Dr. Fontaine is young, well-lettered, telegenic, well read and travelled, is immensely articulate and speaks with clarity to whatever audience he has.

Certainly he will take Grand Fond hands down if he runs. He is also a deep threat to the man who occupies the Prime Ministers’ office. In fact Skerrit and his obnoxious attorney filed a frivolous law suit against Dr. Fontaine regarding his revelations on the sale of Dominican passport in an attempt to silence intimidate, distract and contain him.

But would party leader Edison James and Ron Green agree to have the economist parachute from Washington and take over the party? That is a very tough and emotional sell I must admit. Where was he when they were ‘grawea-ing’ (struggling)? He was on IMF missions all over the world and in Washington preparing himself for leadership in Dominica.

But Thomson has what it takes to provide that face lift to the UWP and improve their chances of winning. For the past 15 years he has had an internet blog and news magazine which covers Dominica- www.thedominican.net, has never abandoned his country, and is equipped with proven leadership qualities.

I feel confident that that the UWP and Dominica would be in great hands if Dr. Fontaine is given the nod. But should UWP trust Thomson who was once a vocal supporter of Skerrit and even campaigned on DLP’s platform two elections ago?

In defense of Thomson who I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for, that was a mistake and he has admitted it. We all make mistakes and also this is politics where there are no permanent friends or allies.

In politics, in order to win sometimes you have to dance with former enemy collaborators. The UWP formula should be: ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend and a friend in need is a friend in-deed’. UWP needs a friend who could desperately help.

Dominica needs down to earth and well lettered politicians who understand public policy, international relations, bilateral trade and economic policy on the micro and macro levels. Thomson fits that bill nicely. I first met Thomson at Rosalie Boxing Plant during the August holidays of 1977 when we were DGS & SMA high school students. He was stapling banana boxes and I was unloading my uncle's truck of bananas.

Rosalie Boxing Plant at that time was the cross roads of economic and commercial activity for rural folks from the east and south eastern Au Vent region. Villagers converged on Rosalie to sell their bananas and vendors sold jonny cake, accra, bread and cheese and drinks.

In spite of Thomson’s world travels and successes, those early experiences at Rosalie and in his mountain village of Grand Fond have shaped his deep abiding love for Dominica, discipline and down to earth disposition.