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The Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) is a centre-right political party that shares much of the same conservative principles (both social and economic) as the British Conservative Party. The DFP was a founding member of the International Democratic Union (IDU). The DFP is also a founding member of the Caribbean Democratic Union (CDU) which currently has nine members including the Jamaica Labour Party.
Rising in the 1960s amid legislation to limit press freedom (Seditious and Undesirable Publications Act in July 1968), this esteemed political party was partly founded in October 1968 by a group of Dominicans which included Dame Mary Eugenia Charles. The party’s ideology is grounded in Conservatism and Liberal Conservatism. |
In the July 1980 general elections, the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) won (with a majority of 17 of the 21 seats) the mandate to lead Dominica into the new decade. But this was amid destruction and hopelessness left in the aftermath of Hurricane David and Hurricane Allen (which struck the country in 1979). The new government spent its first term in office rebuilding roads, reconstructing housing and tending to other infrastructural development that were almost non-existent following the hurricane. Priority was also given to re-establishing and strengthening diplomatic and foreign relations both regionally and internationally with a particularly strong relationship built with the USA during the Ronald Reagan Administration. The DFP went on to win two other consecutive general elections (1985 and 1990).
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The Vision
The vision of the party is for our country to attain sustainable socio-economic growth and development aimed at bringing prosperity to all Dominicans.
We envision citizens and residents thriving and living harmoniously with dignity in their land of beauty and splendour – the Nature Island of the World. In this website and in the DFP’s communications with the people of Dominica living at home and abroad, we will expound on that vision under its three inter-related and inter-dependent dimensions – the economic, social and the environmental. It is the optimal pursuit of economic, social and environmental policies and strategies that will lead to a better quality of life for all citizens and future generations. Indeed, this is the ultimate country goal that the DFP will pursue.
The vision of the party is for our country to attain sustainable socio-economic growth and development aimed at bringing prosperity to all Dominicans.
We envision citizens and residents thriving and living harmoniously with dignity in their land of beauty and splendour – the Nature Island of the World. In this website and in the DFP’s communications with the people of Dominica living at home and abroad, we will expound on that vision under its three inter-related and inter-dependent dimensions – the economic, social and the environmental. It is the optimal pursuit of economic, social and environmental policies and strategies that will lead to a better quality of life for all citizens and future generations. Indeed, this is the ultimate country goal that the DFP will pursue.
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Mission
Our mission is to get into political office in order to lead Dominica’s effort to achieve the vision. The next general elections are due by December 2024. |
Our Motto
“NO ONE IS TRULY FREE WHO DOES NOT WORK FOR THE FREEDOM OF OTHERS”. |
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Grounding Principle
The philosophy of the Party is rooted in the following principals:
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Time for Action
Do support our quest to attain political office in order to save our County form its current malaise. Lifting the Commonwealth of Dominica to the heights that it can reach, will require critical thinking, good planning, strong implementation of plans lead by people of integrity! The Dominica Freedom Party prides itself in being a party of integrity. While not in office, the party will engage directly in activities that will contribute to the Country’s ultimate goal - improving the quality of life of the people and future generations. We don’t intend to just sit and wait. We will do all in our power to lead our people into economic prosperity and dignity and to change the negative cultural mindsets that hold us back. Be part of our efforts! |
About our members
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Made for Us, the PeopleThe Freedom Party is led by those who wish to see our humble country grow. "In our hands we will strive."
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Founding Political Leader
The party's first political leader - Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, was born May 15, 1919, Pointe Michel, Dominica, and died September 6, 2005, Fort-de-France, Martinique. She served as prime minister of Dominica from 1980 to 1995 and parliamentary representative for the Roseau Central Constituency 1975 to 1995. She was the country’s first Dominican-born female lawyer and the first female prime minister to serve in the Caribbean. Charles was the granddaughter of slaves. Her father’s success as an exporter of local produce to Britain and the United States of America, a politician and later as a banker enabled Eugenia to receive an excellent education. After completing high school in Dominica and Grenada, she received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto and a law degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. In 1949 she returned to Dominica and practiced law in Roseau. Miss. Charles entered active politics in 1968 with a group of Dominicans who called themselves the Freedom Fighters to oppose the Seditious and Undesirable Publication Act proposed |
to be passed in parliament by the government to prevent dissenting views. Later in that same year the group formed themselves into the Dominica Freedom Party and she was elected political leader. Charles was appointed to the legislature in 1970. She won the Roseau Central Constituency in 1975 and was appointed leader of the opposition.
When the Dominica Freedom Party won the 1980 elections, Charles became prime minister. Also serving as foreign affairs and finance and development minister, Charles fought government corruption, attempted to limit tax evasion, and rejected overtures from foreign business interests to legalize casino gambling on the island. She also cultivated close relations with the United States (US), urged and supported the US to get involved in the liberation of Grenada in 1983. She was known as the “Iron Lady of the Caribbean,” she won two additional terms as prime minister, in 1985 and 1990 and retired from electoral politics in 1995. She subsequently resumed her law practice and in 1991 was made Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE). |
Other Past Political Leaders
Sir Brian George Keith Alleyne was the second political leader of the party. He was born 28 April 1943) and is a Dominican jurist. He was the son of Keith Alleyne, the one time attorney general of the Windward Islands and Attorney General of Grenada. Sir Brian became the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mahaut constituency after winning the seat in 1980 when the Dominica Freedom Party won a landslide victory at the polls. He was Mahaut MP from June 1980 to June 1996. He held various ministerial portfolios – including Labour, Community Development, Women’s Affairs, and Attorney-General.
When Dame Eugenia Charles decided to retire, Brian Alleyne contested the leadership of the Dominica Freedom Party and won in a keenly contested race. He led the party into the 1995 general elections and was unsuccessful in a three-way race, despite winning the popular vote. He resigned as leader of the opposition, and as the Political leader of the Dominica Freedom Party in June 1996, and was on July 1, 1996 appointed High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. He was later elevated to Justice of Appeal, Sep 1, 2003, and subsequently Acting Chief Justice on March 1, 2005, a position which he held until his retirement on April 28, 2008.
Sir Brian George Keith Alleyne was the second political leader of the party. He was born 28 April 1943) and is a Dominican jurist. He was the son of Keith Alleyne, the one time attorney general of the Windward Islands and Attorney General of Grenada. Sir Brian became the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mahaut constituency after winning the seat in 1980 when the Dominica Freedom Party won a landslide victory at the polls. He was Mahaut MP from June 1980 to June 1996. He held various ministerial portfolios – including Labour, Community Development, Women’s Affairs, and Attorney-General.
When Dame Eugenia Charles decided to retire, Brian Alleyne contested the leadership of the Dominica Freedom Party and won in a keenly contested race. He led the party into the 1995 general elections and was unsuccessful in a three-way race, despite winning the popular vote. He resigned as leader of the opposition, and as the Political leader of the Dominica Freedom Party in June 1996, and was on July 1, 1996 appointed High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. He was later elevated to Justice of Appeal, Sep 1, 2003, and subsequently Acting Chief Justice on March 1, 2005, a position which he held until his retirement on April 28, 2008.
Charles Angelo Savarin was born 2 October 1943.
When Dame Eugenia Charles retired from politics, Savarin contested the Leadership of the Dominica Freedom Party and lost to to Brian Alleyne. He however replaced Dame Eugenia as the party's flag bearer in the Roseau Central Constituency. Savarin emerged victorious at the polls with some 1013 votes to Norris Prevo's 759. When Brian Alleyne resigned as DFP Leader and Leader of the Opposition in 1996, Savarin again entered the leadership race. On 20 April 1996, Savarin received 86 out of 107 votes at the party's General Council. He served as Leader of the DFP until 2007 where mounting criticism of his leadership forced him to resign.
When Dame Eugenia Charles retired from politics, Savarin contested the Leadership of the Dominica Freedom Party and lost to to Brian Alleyne. He however replaced Dame Eugenia as the party's flag bearer in the Roseau Central Constituency. Savarin emerged victorious at the polls with some 1013 votes to Norris Prevo's 759. When Brian Alleyne resigned as DFP Leader and Leader of the Opposition in 1996, Savarin again entered the leadership race. On 20 April 1996, Savarin received 86 out of 107 votes at the party's General Council. He served as Leader of the DFP until 2007 where mounting criticism of his leadership forced him to resign.
Judith Pestaina
Born in Portsmouth where she taught at the Portsmouth Secondary School from 1973-1979, Judith entered the political arena being committed to the development of her country and people. She brought a wealth of experience to politics having held several senior positions in the Public Service including, Director, Women's Bureau, Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of External Affairs, Education as well as Chief Personnel Officer and Cabinet Secretary (Ag.) She was Deputy Director, Political Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat for six years. She served as Guide Commissioner and President of the Dominica Girl Guides Association and has been the Anglican Church Organist for several years. She headed the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association from 2005-2007 and continues to take a keen interest in issues concerning the tourism sector. She is presently Managing Director of the Garraway Hotel. She was the political leader of the Dominica Freedom Party from 2008 to 2012.
Born in Portsmouth where she taught at the Portsmouth Secondary School from 1973-1979, Judith entered the political arena being committed to the development of her country and people. She brought a wealth of experience to politics having held several senior positions in the Public Service including, Director, Women's Bureau, Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of External Affairs, Education as well as Chief Personnel Officer and Cabinet Secretary (Ag.) She was Deputy Director, Political Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat for six years. She served as Guide Commissioner and President of the Dominica Girl Guides Association and has been the Anglican Church Organist for several years. She headed the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association from 2005-2007 and continues to take a keen interest in issues concerning the tourism sector. She is presently Managing Director of the Garraway Hotel. She was the political leader of the Dominica Freedom Party from 2008 to 2012.
Michael Anthony Astaphan was the Political Leader of the Dominica Freedom Party from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2017. He holds an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick, a master's degree in Management Engineering from the University of Connecticut in Bridgeport. He also holds a certificate in Planning, Public Administration and Project Management from the Hartford Institute of Public Administration. Astaphan is a well-known private sector leader, having led the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce for a number of years.