We will keep this post short and sweet to address a common question being asked about our party: What are our qualifications (education), and who is the leader?
1. What Kind Of Education Do We Have To Lead A Country?
Dominica’s politics has been dominated for a very long time by a tired narrative: that a formal education, particularly a degree or a PhD, is the golden ticket to public office. This argument is not only outdated, it is dangerous. They are trying to send a message to everyday Dominicans that unless you have a paper certificate, your voice, ideas, and leadership are not valid., and that could not be further from the truth.
The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) fully acknowledges that well an education is valuable. It can broadenminds, sharpens skills, and can be a powerful tool for public service. However, education alone does not guarantee wisdom, vision, or integrity, qualities that the past two governments have failed to demonstrate. And it certainly does not make one person inherently more qualified than another to represent our people in Parliament. True leadership requires empathy, common sense, and a genuine ability to connect with and serve those you represent, qualities that no degree can teach or replace.
Today, we are witnessing a growing trend where individuals with PhDs insist on being called “Doctor”, not merely as recognition of their “expertise,” but as a way to project superiority. Their focus on titles has become just another tool used by political elites to try and keep ordinary people out of the political arena, maintaining control and power while trying to block grassroots voices from entering the conversation. This kind of gatekeeping undermines true democracy and must come to an end!
Common sense came long before book sense. For generations, Dominican families have balanced their households, raised children, managed farms and businesses, and built communities using wisdom passed down through experience, not textbooks or degrees. Running a government is no different. It is about understanding your people, setting clear priorities, balancing the budget, and spending within your means, not wasting EC$14 million on a festival that has failed to sustain itself after 25 years, nor paying EC$4 million to a single artist who has never earned that amount in a single day, even at their peak.
Take a look around. Dominica is not thriving. Yet, for the past three decades, both major parties, filled with so-called “educated” individuals, have led us to this point. The United Workers Party triggered our downward spiral with the loss of the banana contract in the late 90’s. The Dominica Labour Party has had 25 years to fix things, but there has been no progress. And despite all their “educations, degrees and consultants| in Parliament, we are worse off today in Dominica than at any time in recent memory. It is no exaggeration to say this is the worst economy Dominica has ever experienced in modern history. There is no argument against this fact, and that alone speaks volumes!
We should never forget that Members of Parliament are running entire ministries without having the relevant knowledge, experience, or education in the areas they oversee. Take Melissa Skerrit, for example, who leads Housing and Urban Development.
- Has she ever picked up a hammer?
- Built a home?
- What exactly makes her qualified for this role?
It is certainly not her resume, practical experience, or trade skills. This is political favouritism, plain and simple. So, when political elites or anyone else tells you that you need a degree to be involved in politics, remember that even those in charge do not meet their own standards.
This is why the NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) stands apart. We do not claim to have all the answers, but what we do offer is a well-structured and detailed Path Forward. We make our plans public, explain our proposals clearly, and, most importantly, we respect the intelligence of the Dominican people. We do not dumb down our message or speak to you as if you were children. We believe that Dominicans are more than capable of understanding the complex challenges we face and the bold solutions our party propose.
The other major parties, by contrast, recycle and share vague promises year after year. They offer generic, simplified ideas as if Dominicans are too ignorant to understand anything more complex. This is not leadership, it is manipulation. It is a profound disrespect to the very people they claim to serve.
The people of Dominica are not stupid. They are not lazy. They are certainly not incapable of leading. They have been shut out of a system designed to protect the status quo, a system where political elites use degrees, titles, and prestige as shields to safeguard their interests and paychecks.
The NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) believes it is time to change that. It is time to return power to the people through Direct Democracy and to reject the idea that only those with degrees are capable of leadership. Instead, we believe that everyday citizens are equally qualified, because they hold the real solutions, the courage, and the will to serve with pride and integrity.
2. Your Voice Is Your Right, And We Will Always Defend It.
And if you disagree, if you feel that you are not qualified to lead a government in-person or through Direct Democracy, that is perfectly okay. That is your right, and we respect it. Because that is what true democracy is about: accepting differences of opinion without judgment, without punishment, and fear.
We believe no one should be afraid to speak out, to challenge their government, or to voice concerns about the direction of their country. Under the NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP), there will be no reprisals for dissent, no fear of being fired from your job for your views, and no threats for simply exercising your democratic rights.
We welcome criticism. We value opposition. We encourage debate. Because that is how we grow, as individuals, as a party, and as a nation.
No matter who you vote for on election day, when the NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) is chosen to serve, we will still welcome your voice. Your thoughts, opinions, and even your criticism will be treated with respect, because that is how governments stay accountable to the people they serve.
The real problem in Dominica today is fear. Too many are afraid to speak up. Too many are scared to protest. Too many are afraid to stand for what they believe in, worried about imprisonment, job loss, or retaliation. That era ends with us! There will be no more fear in Dominica. No more punishment for speaking your mind.
Unlike the United Workers Party, we will never tell our members or anyone else to “stand down” or be submissive on election day or in expressing their opinions. We will never demand silence or loyalty at the expense of your vote, opion or voice. Whether you support us or not, you have a right to be heard and that is non-negotiable!
But let us be clear, we do not anticipate protests, division, or dissent for one simple reason, because Direct Democracy works for everyone. When people are included in decision-making, when they are respected, informed, and empowered, there is no need to protest because they are already part of the process.
A government that listens, a country that works for all, and a nation that is open for business, that is the NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) vision. This is not about red, blue, or green. Everyone wins no matter what colour shirt you wear.
3. Who Leads The Dominica Reform Party (DRP)?
At this moment, the NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) does not have a single, official leader and that is entirely intentional.
We are a new, dynamic political movement with a bold and comprehensive Path Forward, a platform built not on empty promises, but on well-thought-out, realistic solutions rooted in common sense, accountability, and genuine service to the people. For that reason, we believe it is far more important at this stage to build a strong, united team of candidates and organizers who share this vision, rather than rush to appoint one individual as the face of the party.
Too often in Dominica and across the region, political parties are built around a single dominant personality. Decisions are made from the top down, and loyalty is judged not by commitment to the mission but by blind allegiance to the leader. That is not how the NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) will operate. We believe in collective leadership, shared responsibility, and a structure that puts people and principles above personal power.
We are focused on assembling a team of capable, community-driven individuals from across Dominica who share our principles and are committed to working together for real, meaningful change. These are people who understand that politics should be about public service, not personal gain, and that true leadership begins with listening, collaboration, and action, not with flashy titles, popularity contests, or political theatrics.
Eventually, yes, a leader will emerge. But that person will not be chosen based on popularity, wealth, or academic credentials. They will rise because they earn the trust and confidence of both the team and the people of Dominica. The leader of the NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) must be someone who embodies our values, leads with integrity, and unites people, not divides them. Leadership, for us, is not about status, it is about service.
But leadership, for us, is not about one person standing above the rest. It is about building something stronger, together. It is about offering a real alternative to the recycled politics that have failed Dominica for thee decades. We are creating a platform that empowers every Dominican to be part of the conversation and part of the solution. And we firmly believe that once the team is strong and grounded in shared purpose, the right leadership will rise naturally from within, not by force, but by merit.
So if you are someone who shares our values, our vision, and our belief that Dominica deserves better, we invite you to be part of this movement. Because the NEW Dominica Reform Party (DRP) is not just about finding a leader, it is about building a government that truly serves the people.
Together, we can create a future shaped by integrity, inclusion, and real solutions. The time for change is now, and it starts with all of us.
Team DRP