Old Politics, New Faces? The UWP Crossroads and the Case of Joshua Francis

The recent resignation of Lennox Linton as President of the United Workers’ Party (UWP) has sent ripples through Dominica’s political landscape. It not only marks the end of a chapter but has revived speculation about possible re-entries into the party, including the former Roseau South Constituency Member of Parliament Joshua Francis. While no formal decisions have been announced, the conversations around Francis’ return reveal mused questions about inclusion, power, and political strategy within the UWP.

Lennox’s exit has raised eyebrows over whether the move was coordinated or simply a convenient timing. If the departure was a prerequisite for others to return, it suggests that past leadership may have been blocking broader coalition-building. This in turn reflects a worrying trend in Dominican party politics, where personalities take precedence over unity.

Exclusion by Design or Necessary Boundaries?

The UWP constitution prohibits members of other political parties from simultaneously belonging to its ranks. On the surface, this is standard practice for party integrity. But when that clause becomes a barrier to regaining viable electoral strength, it deserves scrutiny. If a potential return of someone like Francis is framed as “now possible” only because lennox is gone, then the public must ask: was this exclusion deliberate?

What should worry supporters most is not who returns or leaves, but whether the UWP can function as an inclusive platform for dissenting voices, strategic thinkers, and those with grassroots connections. Repeated fractures in the past have led to narrow election losses and missed opportunities to unseat entrenched incumbents. That pattern cannot continue.

A Tighter Electoral Map Demands Broader Coalitions

Dominica’s recent electoral history should serve as a warning: razor-thin margins, like a one-vote win in the Castle Bruce Constituency, reveal that no vote can be taken for granted. With so many races decided by small differences, ideological purity or personal rivalries are luxuries no party can afford. Elections are won on turnout, trust, and practical engagement, not slogans or internal squabbles.

The push for Joshua Francis’ return, whether successful or not, raises the urgent question of strategy. Is the UWP willing to do what it takes to build a broad, credible alternative to Roosevelt Skerrit’s DLP? Or will it stay stuck in a cycle of factionalism and personality clashes?

Thompson Fontaine and the Possibility of Renewal

There are signs of change. Many observers view Dr. Thompson Fontaine, the current UWP political leader, as representing a more modern, development-focused vision. His previous work in facilitating regional trade and training opportunities for youth in his community offers a refreshing contrast to the rhetoric-heavy campaigns of the past.

Still, Fontaine alone cannot shift the culture. Renewal requires teamwork and a willingness to welcome back individuals who may not fit the old mold but can help shape a new path. This doesn’t mean compromising ethics or standards, but it does require recalibrating what unity looks like in a modern political movement.

The Path Forward: Openness Over Orthodoxy

The UWP now stands at a fork in the road. It can choose to remain inward-looking, protecting its boundaries at the expense of broader appeal. Or it can decide that the goal of governance outweighs the need for perfect consensus. That means opening the door to people with networks, experience, and yes, sometimes baggage.

Dominicans are watching closely. They are tired of the drama, tired of the exclusions, tired of promises that don’t translate into policy. They want options. Not just in candidates, but in ideas, in leadership styles, and in vision.

Joshua Francis may or may not rejoin the UWP. That’s a detail. The real issue is whether the UWP, and the opposition in general, can grow up politically. The electorate is waiting. And in a country where elections can be decided by a handful of votes, every door shut is a potential seat lost.

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