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Skerrit says he's thankful but humbled by new mandate
The Roosevelt Skerrit led Dominica Labour Party (DLP) has been officially declared the winner of the December 18 2009 general elections.
Although one constituency (seat) shy of its predicted eighteen seat landslide (sweep)victory, the DLP was swept to victory picking up all of the battleground constituencies in the process.
In announcing the snap election in November, Skerrit had asked the electorate for a “fresh and clear mandate” to take Dominica to the next level. They obviously did not disappoint. The DLP successfully defended all of its thirteen seats and plundered four of the United Workers Party (UWP) constituencies.
There appeared to be a ‘recolouring of the political landscape in Dominica as several blue constituencies capitulated under the Labour onslaught. Wesley, Roseau Valley and Morne Jaune/Riviere Cyrique all fell in tonight’s polls. Julius Timothy who had won the Roseau North constituency on a UWP ticket in the 2005 general elections, comfortably secured the seat for the DLP.
The DLP was also able to win in the marginal constituencies. Johnson Drigo who replaced Lorren Bannis as the DLP candidate comfortably defeated the UWP’s Bernard Wiltshire in Castle Bruce, Dr. John McIntyre wrested Roseau Valley from incumbent Norris Charles, Kelver Darroux who replaced outgoing Foreign Affairs Minister Vince Henderson on the Labour ticket secured St.Joseph and Ashton Graneau brought the victory home to the DLP
Ron Green, in one of the closest margins of victory survived a labour push to emerged the winner. He won by twelve votes.
A number of commentators had expected the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) to deflect votes from the DLP in certain mrginal constituencies and create a few upsets, however the DFP proved to be a total non-factor at the polls.
In his first speech since being reelected Prime Minister of Dominica , Skerrit speaking over the state-owned DBS radio thanked supporters and voters for providing him with a clear mandate. He promised not to disappoint. “We take your new mandate seriously and we will endeavor not to disappoint” he said.
