In a decisive move that sets the stage for Dominica’s upcoming general election, attorney Cara Shillingford has been unanimously chosen as the United Workers Party (UWP) candidate to contest the parliamentary seat covering the Salisbury, Morne Rachette and Coulibistrie constituency. The historic selection took place during a well-attended meeting of the UWP Salisbury Constituency Association held this past weekend.
Shortly after securing the party’s nomination, Shillingford shared her remarks during an interview on Q95 Radio’s popular current affairs programme *Talk on the Block*, hosted by Matt Peltier. There, she opened by extending heartfelt gratitude to constituency party members for the overwhelming trust they placed in her candidacy.
“As you saw, I was unanimously elected as the next candidate for the United Workers’ Party for the Salisbury, Morne Rachette and Coulibistrie constituency,” Shillingford stated. “I am immensely grateful to the members of my constituency for placing their trust and confidence in me. I will try my best to ensure that they receive the representation that they deserve.”
Beyond advocating for her constituency, Shillingford made clear that her broader priority is helping the UWP win a majority and form the next national government. She argued that Dominica currently lacks people-centered leadership, asserting that the island nation needs an administration that prioritizes public welfare and leverages the country’s natural and economic resources to lift up all Dominican citizens, rather than serving narrow interests.
When explaining what pushed her to step into frontline electoral politics, Shillingford leveled sharp criticism at the long-ruling Dominica Labour Party, which has held national office for 26 years. She claimed the incumbent administration has failed to deliver sustained improvements to the daily lives of ordinary Dominican people, saying conditions across the country have steadily declined under its watch.
“I can say with full confidence that the Dominica Labour Party has demonstrated that it does not have the will and the capacity to do what is necessary to improve the lives of Dominicans,” she said. “Things are getting from bad to worse.”
Shillingford noted that while she plans to continue working as a practicing attorney, she reached a point where she could not remain on the political sidelines. She emphasized that meaningful, lasting progress on legal reform, policy change, and equitable economic growth can only be achieved from within government, adding that she could not in good conscience watch the country decline without acting.
“I cannot, with good conscience, simply sit by and allow my country to go downhill,” she said. She went on to urge all eligible voters in the constituency and across Dominica to back the UWP in the upcoming election, framing the main opposition party as a cohesive, capable “solid team” and the only viable, better alternative to the current government.
Shillingford also addressed circulating speculation about the candidate selection process, specifically pushing back against claims that former UWP parliamentary representative for the constituency Hector John was excluded from the process. She clarified that the selection meeting was widely advertised publicly and within the party, and John was fully aware of the scheduled time and date in advance.
She paid tribute to John’s long tenure of public service for the constituency, acknowledging that he achieved many positive outcomes for the Salisbury area and remains a well-respected figure among UWP members. “We love Hector, we have respect for him, and we are happy to continue working with Hector for the best interests of Dominica and the best interests of the constituency,” Shillingford affirmed.
Looking ahead to the election campaign, Shillingford outlined her immediate core objectives: winning the Salisbury, Morne Rachette and Coulibistrie seat to serve as its parliamentary representative, and taking a seat in a future UWP national administration. She closed by reiterating her confidence in the opposition party’s platform, repeating that the UWP is the best option for Dominica at this juncture and encouraging voters to support the party’s bid for power in the upcoming general polls.