United Workers Party (UWP) Political Leader Dr Thomson Fontaine has acknowledged his party's defeat in the Roseau North by-election, declaring that while the battle was lost, the wider political struggle will continue.
«We may have lost this battle, but certainly not the fight,» Fontaine said following the poll, in which UWP candidate Daniel Lugay was unsuccessful.
The by-election in Roseau North was held to fill the seat in the House of Assembly following a vacancy in the constituency. The result represents a setback for the opposition UWP as it seeks to build support ahead of the next general election.
Fontaine's remarks signal that the party intends to remain active in national politics despite the outcome. His statement, delivered in the immediate aftermath of the result, struck a defiant tone while accepting the verdict of the electorate.
The Roseau North constituency is one of the capital's urban seats and its by-election drew attention across the island. The UWP had invested effort in the campaign, fielding Lugay as its candidate in a contest that was closely watched by supporters of both the governing and opposition sides.
While the party did not secure the seat, Fontaine's language suggests the leadership views the campaign as part of a longer-term effort rather than a final verdict on the party's standing. He did not indicate any intention to step back from political activity.
The UWP has historically been one of the two main political parties in the Commonwealth of Dominica, alternating in government with the Dominica Labour Party over the decades. By-elections in individual constituencies often serve as a barometer of public sentiment between general elections, though results can reflect local factors as much as national trends.
For the governing party, retaining Roseau North will be presented as a validation of its continued support in the capital. For the UWP, the task now is to assess the lessons of the campaign and prepare for future electoral contests.
Fontaine's public comments after the result are likely to be read by supporters as a call to stay engaged. The phrase «lost this battle, but certainly not the fight» has already been circulated among party faithful as a rallying message.
No date has been announced for the next general election, but the by-election outcome will feed into the political conversation in the months ahead. The UWP leadership has not signalled any change in direction following the vote.
The House of Assembly will continue its work with the Roseau North seat now decided. Political observers will watch how both parties frame the result in the coming weeks, and whether the UWP can translate its leader's defiant words into renewed organisational momentum across the constituencies.
