OPEN LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Sir/Madam,
The office of the Speaker of the House of Assembly is one of the most important constitutional offices in the Commonwealth of Dominica. The holder of that office is entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of Parliament, ensuring fairness in parliamentary proceedings, and maintaining public confidence in one of the central institutions of our democracy.
It is therefore with considerable concern that I observed reports and video footage of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Joseph Isaac, appearing on a political platform of the Dominica Labor Party on Sunday, June 28, 2026, where he reportedly introduced and endorsed the party’s candidate for the Roseau North Constituency, Ms. Ashma McDougall.
In seeking to justify his actions, the Speaker reportedly referenced Sections 10(1) and 11(1) of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica, which protect freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.
While every citizen, including the Speaker, enjoys constitutional rights and freedoms, the issue before the nation is not whether the Speaker possesses those rights. The issue is whether the exercise of those rights, in the manner displayed, is consistent with the constitutional responsibilities, traditions, conventions, and expectations attached to the office he occupies.
The Speaker is not an ordinary citizen in the constitutional sense. Upon assuming office, the Speaker becomes the presiding officer of Parliament and the guardian of its procedures, privileges, and dignity. The office carries with it a special obligation to demonstrate impartiality and to avoid conduct that may reasonably create the perception of political bias or allegiance.
Across parliamentary democracies founded upon the Westminster tradition, Speakers are expected to exercise restraint in overt partisan political activities. This expectation is not simply a matter of law but of constitutional convention and institutional integrity. Public confidence in Parliament depends substantially upon the perception that the Speaker will treat all Members fairly, regardless of political affiliation.
When the Speaker publicly appears on a partisan political platform to introduce and endorse a candidate contesting an election, legitimate questions arise regarding the neutrality of the office and the appearance of impartiality that the office requires.
The Constitution guarantees rights and freedoms, but it also establishes institutions that depend upon public trust. Constitutional offices are not strengthened merely by asserting legal rights; they are strengthened by exercising judgment consistent with the spirit, purpose, and dignity of those offices.
This matter, therefore, goes beyond legal technicalities. It speaks to the standards of conduct expected of those entrusted with safeguarding our democratic institutions.
No one is suggesting that the Speaker forfeit his constitutional rights. However, constitutional rights must be balanced against constitutional responsibilities. The question is not whether the Speaker could participate in a partisan political event, but whether he should have done so while serving as the impartial presiding officer of the House of Assembly.
In my respectful view, his participation represented a serious lapse in judgment and has created an unnecessary controversy that risks undermining public confidence in the office of Speaker and, by extension, the Parliament itself.
The people of Dominica deserve institutions that are not only independent but are also seen to be independent. The appearance of impartiality is often as important as impartiality itself.
Accordingly, I believe that the Speaker owes the Parliament and the people of Dominica an explanation and an apology for engaging in conduct that has compromised the perception of neutrality associated with his office.
Such an apology would not be an admission of illegality. Rather, it would be an acknowledgment that holders of high constitutional office must be held to a higher standard of conduct and that preserving public confidence in democratic institutions should always take precedence over partisan political considerations.
As our nation continues to navigate important constitutional, electoral, and governance issues, it is imperative that all public officials, especially those occupying constitutional offices, conduct themselves in a manner that strengthens rather than diminishes confidence in our democratic system.
The Parliament of Dominica is larger than any political party, any individual office holder, or any electoral contest. Its integrity must be protected at all times.
Respectfully,
Alvin A. Thomas
Concerned Citizen and Former CSA General Secretary
Commonwealth of Dominica
June 28, 2026
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