United Workers' Party (Dominica)

The United Workers' Party is a centrist political party in Dominica. As of the 2009 general election, it is the only opposition party represented in the House of Assembly of Dominica, holding three of the twenty-one seats. Its current Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly is Hector John.

The United Workers' Party was the majority party in Dominica from 1995 until 2000, led by party co-founder Edison James as Prime Minister of Dominica. James currently serves as the UWP's president.

History

The party was founded in 1988 by Edison James, Julius Timothy, Norris Prevost, Dennis Labassier and others. In the 1990 elections, the UWP won 6 of the 21 seats and became the official opposition. In 1995, the UWP won 11 seats at the general elections forming the first UWP government headed by Edison James as prime minister.

At the 31 January 2000 elections, the party won 43.3% of the popular vote and 9 out of 21 elected members of parliament. Though it captured the most popular votes, it got fewer seats than the Dominica Labour Party. The party was therefore once again in opposition. James continued to lead the party, which set up a tough campaign for the 5 May 2005 elections, but lost 1 seat. After the election, this time receiving less votes than the Dominica Labour Party, the party held 8 seats in Parliament and remained in opposition.

In December 2005, James stood down as political leader and was replaced by Attorney Earl Williams, Minister of Communications and Works in the last...
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