The Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) is a conservative political party in Dominica. It shares much of the same socially and economically conservative principles as the Conservative Party in the UK.[1] The party has been led by Bernard Hurtault[2] since 2021.
Dominica Freedom Party | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Bernard Hurtault |
| Founded | October 1968 |
| Ideology | Conservatism |
| Political position | Centre-right to right-wing |
| Regional affiliation | Caribbean Democrat Union |
| House of Assembly | 0 / 21 |
| Website | |
| http://www.dfpda.com/about.html | |
This article needs to be updated. (May 2022) |
History
editThe founders of Dominica Freedom Party in 1968 included Eugenia Charles, Elkin Henry, Anthony Moise, Eustace Francis, Robert Allfrey, Phyllis Allfrey, E. C. Loblack, Edward Scobie, Loftus Roberts, Antony Agar, Star Lestrade and Martin Sorhaindo.[3] The DFP was led by Dame Eugenia Charles from 1972 until 1995.[4] She became Prime Minister in 1980 and served until her 1995 retirement. Following her resignation as party leader and the defeat of the DFP in the 1995 elections by the United Workers' Party, she was succeeded by Brian Alleyne.
In 1996, Charles Savarin became the leader of the DFP. He had presided over the continuing decline of the DFP following the 2000 general election. Despite this the party still holds a degree of influence due to its accommodation with the DLP government. Even after losing all its seats and the DLP winning enough seats to form a government on their own, the DLP leader and prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit appointed Savarin as a senator and gave him the key post of foreign minister. Many members of the DFP have criticized Savarin for his continued support for their erstwhile foes, the DLP.
During the previous elections held on 31 January 2000, the party won two of the 21 popularly elected seats with 13.6% of votes cast. The party subsequently joined a coalition government with the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), with the DLP not having enough seats to form a government on their own.
The party lost all of its seats in the House of Assembly at 2005 general election, held on 5 May 2005. This was the first time since 1975 that the DFP was not elected in any seats. The party garnered 3.15% of votes cast.
However on 5 August 2007 a new executive was elected, with businessman Michael Astaphan being elected as political Leader.[5]
In 2022 Dominican general election, DFP decided to boycott the election., which in result Dominica Labour Party secured 19 out of 21 seats.[6]
In recent years, the DFP has expressed concerns over national issues. For example, they have been vocal about the impact of the UK's decision to impose travel restrictions on Dominican nationals, linking it to alleged issues with Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI). The party criticized the current administration's management of the program and called for immediate action to address the concerns raised by the UK and other nations.[7]
Leadership
edit- Eugenia Charles, 1972-1995
- Brian Alleyne, 1995-1996[1]
- Charles Savarin, 1996-2007[1]
- Michael Astaphan, 2007-2008[1]
- Judith Pestaina, 2008-2012[1]
- Michael Astaphan, 2012-2017[1]
- Kent Vital, 2017-2021[8]
- Bernard Hurtault, 2021-[8]
International affiliations
editThe Dominica Freedom Party is affiliated with the Caribbean Democrat Union[9] and the International Democrat Union[10]
Electoral history
editHouse of Assembly elections
edit| Election | Party leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Eugenia Charles | 7,578 | 38.3% | 2 / 11
|
 2
|
2nd
|
Opposition |
| 1975 | 6,920 | 32.4% | 3 / 21
|
1
|
 2nd
|
Opposition | |
| 1980 | 15,706 | 51.3% | 17 / 21
|
14
|
1st
|
Supermajority government | |
| 1985 | 18,865 | 56.7% | 15 / 21
|
 2
|
1st
|
Supermajority government | |
| 1990 | 16,529 | 49.4% | 11 / 21
|
4
|
1st
|
Majority government | |
| 1995 | Brian Alleyne[1] | 13,317 | 35.8% | 5 / 21
|
6
|
2nd
|
Opposition |
| 2000 | Charles Savarin | 4,858 | 13.6% | 2 / 21
|
3
|
3rd
|
DFP–DLP coalition government |
| 2005 | 1,194 | 3.15% | 0 / 21
|
2
|
3rd
|
Extra-parliamentary | |
| 2009 | Judith Pestaina | 866 | 2.39% | 0 / 21
|
|
3rd
|
Extra-parliamentary |
| 2014 | Michael Astaphan | Did not contest[11] | Extra-parliamentary | ||||
| 2019 | Kent Vital | Endorsed United Workers' Party[12] | Extra-parliamentary | ||||
| 2022 | Bernard Hurtault | Boycotted[13] | Extra-parliamentary | ||||
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "About". Dominica Freedom Party.
- ^ "People". Dominica Freedom Party.
- ^ Myers, Robert A. (1987). "A Resource Guide to Dominica, 1493-1986". Human Relations Area Files.
- ^ "Dame Mary Eugenia Charles". www.uwicaricom.org. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ^ "Michael Astaphan to lead the Dominica Freedom Party" Archived 2011-07-10 at the Wayback Machine, Dominicanewsdesk.com, 9 August 2007.
- ^ MacDonald, Scott B.; English, Alejandro Trenchi (15 December 2022). "Dominica Votes Amid Fears of Democratic Backsliding". Global Americans.
- ^ "DFP Calls for immediate action to revamp Dominica's CBI Program – DOM767".
- ^ a b "DFP statement on the resignation of Kent Vital; Bernard Hurtault becomes interim political leader". Dominica News Online. 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Caribbean Democrat Union". International Democrat Union. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ "Member Parties". International Democrat Union. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ "No general election for DFP". Dominica News Online. 2014-11-17. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
- ^ "Dominica General Election Results 2019". www.caribbeanelections.com. Archived from the original on 2019-12-06. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
- ^ "Another opposition party to boycott snap poll in Dominica". Jamaica Gleaner. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2022-12-07.