Freedom Party Team,

After considerable reflection and many difficult conversations with my family, I have made  the decision to resign as Political Leader of the Dominica Freedom Party. 

This has not been an easy decision. Serving the people of Dominica and leading this  historic party has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I am deeply grateful to the  many members, supporters, volunteers, and citizens who placed their confidence in me  and who worked tirelessly in pursuit of a better future for our country. 

First, my decision has been shaped by family considerations. I am blessed to have loved  ones both here and abroad and preserving the ability to remain fully engaged in their lives is  a responsibility that I take seriously. As I weighed the demands and consequences of a  continued political path, I concluded that the personal sacrifices required would come at  too great a cost to those relationships. 

Second, I have come to recognize that Dominican politics reward a particular temperament  and approach. Too often public debate is personal rather than substantive, vitriolic not  collaborative, trivial not substantive. While I remain deeply committed to public service, I  have come to realize that my talents are best suited to policy development, technology  leadership, innovation, economic transformation, and institution-building rather than  electoral politics itself. 

I have thus concluded that I can contribute more to Dominica by focusing my efforts on  those pursuits than by continuing to play a leadership role in a political culture that  rewards values and behaviors that do not align with my own values or natural strengths. 

I believe our nation stands at the threshold of tremendous opportunity. The emergence of  new technologies, renewable energy, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and knowledge based industries offers Dominica a pathway to unprecedented prosperity. I intend to  dedicate my energy, experience, and leadership to help build that future. 

In the years ahead, I will focus on advancing initiatives and developing enterprise that drive  the creation of a knowledge economy in Dominica—one that creates opportunities for our 

young people, attracts investment, fosters innovation, strengthens our institutions, and  expands economic opportunity for all citizens. 

However, my departure from political leadership does not represent a departure from  public service. The need for effective governance, transparency, accountability, and  policies that promote national development remains dire. I will continue to work with  individuals and organizations committed to these principles. I therefore remain open to  serving my country in capacities that align with my strengths and expertise – even serving in  future governments to apply those skills to advancing the interests of the Dominican  people. 

I leave this position with gratitude, hope, and confidence in the future of our country. 

I thank the members of the Dominica Freedom Party for the trust they placed in me. I thank  my colleagues for their dedication and sacrifice. Most importantly, I thank the people of  Dominica for allowing me the opportunity to serve. 

May God continue to bless our beloved nation. 

Sincerely, 

Bernard Hurtault 

Political Leader 

Dominica Freedom Party