PRIME MINISTER Philip J Pierre is urging all Labour Parties in the region to remain united.
Pierre, who spoke at the Dominica Labour Party’s [DLP] Delegates’ Conference recently, said the parties need to remain connected now more than ever.
“We have a common enemy. This enemy is not only climate change, unemployment [or] the uneven playing field that we have to deal with in the international community. We do not need to look too far to understand… why we must work together,” the prime minister said.
According to him, “If you follow the news in Dominica… Grenada, St Vincent and St Lucia, you will see the same forces that are fighting Skerrit are the same forces that are fighting Ralph.”
“They hate our unity… this is the very reason we must stand stronger together,” he said.
The DLP’s conference brought leaders from across the region together to discuss the way forward for the Party. The conference aimed to inspire and empower members to work together to realize the DLP’s vision for Dominica, the party said in a statement.
Pierre noted that his visit was not just in the interest of Saint Lucians, “but because of the struggles of the… Dominican Labour Party, which like many others throughout the Caribbean fought for workers’ rights.”
“I particularly want to thank…. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt and all his men and women in government who have collectively and successfully effected the development and the modernization of Dominica,” he said.
Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell was also in attendance.
Pierre said he hopes that Prime Minister Mitchell, Skeritt and himself will be “like a beacon of hope for all generations of Caribbean people of our commitment to always work together and as a sign of our continuing efforts.
Prime Minister Mitchell, for his part, also spoke about “strengthening our political institutions”.
“Sometimes you need to hear it from an outsider. I hope you appreciate that next year Dominica Labour Party will be celebrating 75 years of existence,” he told supporters.
“You cannot take your leadership for granted and you will not be able to create the hope, ambition [and] the aspiration for the next generations of Dominicans if you take it for granted,” he said.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, Saint Lucia Times reported that two organisations (Civic Vibes and the Electoral Reform Coalition) criticised Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and Dickon Mitchell for their remarks at the DLP’s Conference.
“Both organisations expressed concerns over the Prime Ministers’ comments and their perceived disregard for ongoing calls for electoral reform in Dominica,” the website reported.