“Being in Opposition is no excuse to do nothing for your Constituents. After Maria, I literally begged the Opposition Leader to show that we are capable of helping people and to show that we really care but nothing was done. Alas, Papa Bondieu… The notion that being in Opposition, you don’t have resources is nonsense. I say it’s nonsense.” These were sentiments expressed by Hon. Joseph Isaac at his launching on Sunday.

Isaac who won the Roseau Central seat on a UWP ticket is now the DLP candidate for Roseau North. Isaac said that the leader of the opposition has raised money “but he has only used it to take care of his own challenges- legal or otherwise. According to Isaac, he had no support from the leadership of ‘the other side’ when he decided to organize band mobilize the biggest ‘koudmen’ that Roseau Central has ever seen in modern times.

He said it hurts that Opposition Parties such as Mia Mottley’s in Barbados came to our aid while the Dominican Opposition did nothing. He had to call on his own personal friends from abroad to send aid for the people of Roseau. He said, “That is what a Parl Rep do (does). Parl Reps don’t cry to say that they’re hungry. When your people are down, Parl Reps should lift them up and give them hope. I know we are all in need but you can’t go down to that level when you are representing people”. Isaac said further, that when the people of Roseau North go to their Parl Rep, he says to them that they should go to Joseph Isaac.

Isaac said that his exit from the UWP was based on principle. He tried to convince them that there was a better way to compete in politics. He said that fundamentally the issue was about Dominica first but they were not convinced. Therefore, he placed his concerns on record and informed them that he would not be contesting the next election on a UWP ticket.

According to Issac,  even while in opposition he was singing the praises of the Prime Minister. “I have travelled with him, spent time with him. I can tell you that I have assessed him. This man is a visionary. He’s a caring person. He’s intelligent, compassionate. He’s the greatest political leader Dominica has ever seen. And I’m not saying that because I’m now on the labour party Dominica platform where I belong. I said it while in opposition and they wanted to kill me.”

Further, Isaac said that he is like a dasheen leaf to those who try to hurt him and his reputation by sending their dirty trucks department after him. Isaac is seeking to replace Danny Lugay as the Parl Rep for the Roseau North.