Sometime between 2015-2016, a man surfaced in the politics of Dominica, he can with a vengeance in support of Roosevelt, and with brutal attacks on the opposition, especially Lennox Linton who he hardly knew anything about.
He was unknown and unheard of in Dominica before then. What got this man’s interest in Dominica after being a no show for decades? Roosevelt Skerrit! In Dominica there is a saying that no matter where the unsavory characters are Roosevelt will find them or they will find Roosevelt.
This man’s name is Herbert Volney, a quick search with tell you that he is a very controversial man of questionable character. According to reports from Trinidad where he lived all his adult life, though he has accomplished academically, and politically his record raises questions.
Herbert served as the Justice Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, over a controversial law that could allow charges to be dropped against more than a dozen people facing corruption charges, including two men wanted in the United States in 2012. Herbert had resigned from the Judiciary to pursue a career in politics which ended less than two years after it began.
With not many political options in Trinidad Herbert set his eyes on Dominica, some say he is coveting the speaker of the house position. When asked why, they say Alix Boyds knight is the ONLY person that he constantly bashes, but defends every crime that other members of the labor party commit.
Herbert is known to be a growler in chief! He calls Roosevelt Dr. Dr. and lavishes him with praises and accolades. There is nothing that rogue regime headed by Roossvelt can do, or will do that Herbert will not defend. To Herbert Roosevelt is a mini God.
In May of 2017 Herbert was a guest speaker at a labor party rally, he called on laborites in Dominica to look for Dominican diasporans who criticized Roosevelt when they come home and “Sort Them Out” . Most people interpreted that as a call for violence against Dominicans who criticized Roosevelt, but don’t expect Herbert to apologize, he doubles down when reminded of that notorious statement.
On November 22ndh 2019, a few Dominicans in USA made their presence felt at that OAS building to look for Francine and have a talk with her. Francine disappeared like a ghost after her presentation. Rightly so, the people were not happy about that, after all, Francine is a public servant who remains accountable to the people of Dominica.
Herbert was not happy that the people were not happy, he went on his usual brutal attack in a FB post headlined “EXPOSE THE HATRIOTS ENEMIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA” Falsely accusing them of dragging the “Good” name of Dominica through the mud, when in fact they were trying to save Dominica’s “Good” name, and to protect and preserve Dominica’s democracy from Francine and her handlers.
We the people in Dominica, are very grateful that our brothers and sisters in the USA are carrying our “We The People” flag abroad while we continue our fight against the tyranny the Herberts supports on the ground in Dominica. Herbert, why don’t you like the taste of your own prescription? We will not tell you to go back to Trinidad since your mother is Dominican even if you were born in Montserrat, but if you say you really love Dominica, help us to fight the tyranny that threatens us, or move out of our way!
I consider this very interesting not because some of it is true but because it speaks volumes to the bare truth that Roosevelt Skerrit is the man for Dominica today, and hence my unstinting support for him. There has been that sterling moment in the lives of all, signal some say, when a man must stand for something or be relegated to nothing. I did serve in the House of Representatives for over three years, and as a minister for over two years. I was also a High Court Judge for 16 years. Few, barring Sir Brian Alleyne, and I, have served all three estates of the Constitution.
Today, I’ve retired from active politics in Trinidad even though I could probably regain my former seat if I chose to contest. But today, today, my fealty is to Dominica a country that taught me to do good, be good, and allow good always to follow me. I am not averse to criticism and trust me I fear no man, certainly not Roosevelt Skerrit, who I treasure as a true friend.
My interest in the future, not the past, of Dominica was rooted in 2013 when I returned to Dominica to be witness to the phenomenal progress the country that raised me had achieved. I befriended both Skerrit and Linton, and one Joshua Francis on Facebook. When I lay praise on Skerrit for his work, Linton abused me and sought to lay me to waste. And then came the UWP hate comments from both in Dominica and its diaspora. I had no choice but to choose. I chose Roosevelt Skerrit and the Labour Party that my family was always previously opposed to. Why? Because he has been able to withstand all the falsehoods and trash thrown at him by a concerted group of Hatriots in the diaspora. And of course his performance. I saw it for myself. I returned the next year and was able to predict successfully the DLP romp of the UWP that was to come, as it is to come again in 2019.
I am, my critics notwithstanding, an accomplished professional man, now happily retired in Trinidad. I would return to stay on the next LIAT if the choice was only mine to make.
When I am aware of the facts on the issue of electoral reform as I am, and I see the conduct of anti Skerrit UWP supporters in Washington DC conduct them as crassly, abusive, and insulting as they did to our diplomats, I will erupt like a volcano as I did. I am not nicknamed ‘Volcanic Volney’ for nothing. I will trash hooliganism whether it be in Victoria Avenue in Roseau by no more than twenty misguided UWP supporters, or on the streets of Washington DC. Hooliganism is hooliganism and I will deprecate and condemn it any day. I don’t even have to erupt to do so. And in that Speaker job in Dominica, I’m just not interested in the job even though I would make a damn good Speaker, Mr Astaphan, Sir.
I rest my case.
Herbie enjoy your retirement!
The future is here watch the polls!