Following a tightly contested leadership election, Dr. Thomson Fontaine has secured another term as political leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) while issuing a compelling plea for internal unity. The decisive vote occurred during the party’s 35th annual delegates conference at Goodwill Parish Hall, where Fontaine narrowly defeated challenger Pastor Randy Rodney by a margin of 83 votes to 75.
In his victory address, Fontaine directly addressed the factionalism within party ranks, emphasizing that internal divisions must cease for the UWP to achieve electoral success. ‘Together, let us combine our efforts. Stop seeing fault in your leader and let us stand together,’ Fontaine urged delegates. He delivered a stark warning against passive opposition within the party: ‘It is not acceptable that you sit on the sidelines hoping that I fail as a leader. If one of us fails, all of us fail.’
Framing the party’s mission as critically important for national development, Fontaine asserted, ‘This is not child play. There is too heavy a price to pay. If we fail, we are talking about the future of this country.’ He acknowledged implementing unconventional strategies distinct from traditional approaches, requesting patience from party members: ‘I am doing some things differently in 2025. We are not in 1988. Some of what I am doing may be different because we are not used to it.’
Fontaine expressed measured optimism regarding the party’s growing appeal, noting that an increasing number of Dominican citizens are responding positively to the UWP’s message of shared prosperity. ‘Persons who previously dismissed our party are willing to give us a second chance,’ he observed, highlighting attraction to his vision of national transformation under a united party government. The re-elected leader concluded by reaffirming his commitment to guide the UWP into the next general election with renewed determination and collective purpose.