“Parliament is for serous people and parliament is for serious business. We cannot have side shows when people need their interest and issues to be represented inside parliament," Skerrit said.

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) is preparing to contest three by-elections if the parliamentary representatives in those constituencies continue to boycott parliament.

Former prime minister Edison James is among three legislators from the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) that are boycotting the national parliament as part of the protest over alleged irregularities in the December 18 general elections that the DLP won by a commanding 18-3 margin.

The opposition parliamentarians have decided instead to participate in a “People’s Parliament” being organized by other political parties on the island. But they risk having their seats taken away if they miss three successive sittings of the parliament.

Skerrit said he had already instructed the party to meet and endorse candidates for the by-elections in the event that the UWP legislators “who have been elected to serve these constituencies continue to boycott the parliament.

“Parliament is for serous people and parliament is for serious business. We cannot have side shows when people need their interest and issues to be represented inside parliament.

“We are going to parliament for a second time on March 29 …and in April for a third time and we will go back for a fourth time and those who want to miss three sittings of the parliament and make the seats vacant, the DLP shall file candidates to contest by-elections in these constituencies and I have no doubt the DLP candidates will be voted into parliament,” Skerrit said.

Skerrit said that it was important for all legislators to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the country given the global economic situation.

“The real work is inside parliament … recognised by the constitution. While we will not recognise the side shows ladies and gentlemen, I am saying to you that I am ready for a by-election in all these three constituencies,” he added.