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.
The Prime Minister made the appeal while campaigning in the constituency, where voters will return to the polls to fill a vacant seat in the House of Assembly. Skerrit argued that the UWP has failed to deliver on its promises to Roseau North and that the constituency needs representation that will work with the Government to bring tangible benefits to the area.
According to Skerrit, the UWP has had opportunities to serve the people of Roseau North but has not used them to improve the lives of residents. He pointed to a lack of visible progress and development in the constituency under UWP representation, contrasting this with the record of DLP administrations in delivering infrastructure, housing, and social programmes across Dominica.
The Prime Minister described McDougall as a candidate who is committed to serving the people and who will be an effective voice for Roseau North in the House of Assembly. He called on voters to give her the opportunity to represent them and to work alongside the Government to address the needs of the constituency.
The by-election in Roseau North was triggered by the resignation of the seat's previous representative. The UWP has fielded its own candidate for the contest, setting up a direct electoral battle between the two main political parties in the constituency.
Roseau North is one of Dominica's most significant constituencies, covering parts of the capital and surrounding communities. The outcome of the by-election will be closely watched as an indicator of political sentiment ahead of the next general election, which is constitutionally due within the next few years.
Skerrit's remarks reflect the DLP's broader campaign strategy of highlighting the Government's record while questioning the opposition's effectiveness in representing its constituencies. The Prime Minister has repeatedly called on voters to choose candidates who can work constructively with the administration to secure resources and projects for their communities.
Campaigning in the constituency has been active in recent days, with both parties holding public meetings and door-to-door outreach. The date for the by-election has been announced by the Electoral Office, and preparations are under way for the conduct of the poll.
McDougall, if elected, would join the DLP benches in the House of Assembly, strengthening the Government's majority. The UWP, meanwhile, is seeking to retain the seat and demonstrate that it can hold onto constituencies it has won in previous elections.
Voters in Roseau North will make their choice in the coming days, with the campaign expected to intensify as polling day approaches. The Prime Minister's personal involvement in the campaign underscores the importance both parties attach to the outcome of this by-election.
