Edward Oliver LeBlanc
Encyclopedia
Edward Oliver Le Blanc was a Dominican politician
.
Le Blanc was born in Vieille Case
. He joined the Dominica Labour Party
in 1957. He joined the government of the Federation of the West Indies in Trinidad
in 1960, but returned to Dominica later that year to become the leader of his party. He won a seat in the House of Assembly
in 1961.
Le Blanc served as chief minister
of Dominica from January 1961 to March 1, 1967. In March 1967, when the British granted Dominica more self-government, Le Blanc became premier
.
Le Blanc tried to implement socialist
policies in Dominica. He was committed to helping poor workers, whom he called "little men", a catchphrase which still remains in Dominican politics. He was very popular voters, winning three elections in three different constituencies, and is believed by many to be one of the founders of the Dominican nation. He unexpectedly resigned on July 27, 1974, and retired from politics and public life. He did not explain his retirement, and refused to give interviews, but it is believed that he was tired of the opposition to his policies by many in the government. He returned to Vieille Case, where he died.
Politics of Dominica
Politics of Dominica takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Dominica is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government...
.
Le Blanc was born in Vieille Case
Vieille Case
Vieille Case, sometimes spelled as Vielle-Case, is a village on the north coast of Dominica. The Commonwealth of Dominica in the West Indies was first inhabited by the Kalinago tribe referred to by the Europeans as Caribs. Itassi is the Kalinago name for the area in Dominica which is now known as...
. He joined the Dominica Labour Party
Dominica Labour Party
The Dominica Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Dominica.-History:Founded in 1955 by Phyllis Shand Allfrey and Emmanuel Christopher Loblack, it is the oldest political party in Dominica. It first contested general elections in 1961, winning seven of the eleven seats. In the next...
in 1957. He joined the government of the Federation of the West Indies in Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
in 1960, but returned to Dominica later that year to become the leader of his party. He won a seat in the House of Assembly
House of Assembly of Dominica
The House of Assembly is the legislature of Dominica. It is established by Chapter III of the Constitution of Dominica, and together with the President of Dominica constitutes Dominica's Parliament. The House is unicameral, and consists of twenty-one Representatives, nine Senators, and an...
in 1961.
Le Blanc served as chief minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
of Dominica from January 1961 to March 1, 1967. In March 1967, when the British granted Dominica more self-government, Le Blanc became premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
.
Le Blanc tried to implement socialist
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
policies in Dominica. He was committed to helping poor workers, whom he called "little men", a catchphrase which still remains in Dominican politics. He was very popular voters, winning three elections in three different constituencies, and is believed by many to be one of the founders of the Dominican nation. He unexpectedly resigned on July 27, 1974, and retired from politics and public life. He did not explain his retirement, and refused to give interviews, but it is believed that he was tired of the opposition to his policies by many in the government. He returned to Vieille Case, where he died.