Edward LeBlanc, Premier of Dominica
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EDWARD LEBLANC, PREMIER OF DOMINICA Edward Oliver Leblanc, a former Dominica premier described by some as a founding father of the Caribbean island nation in its transition to independence, died Friday at his home on the island. He was 81.
Leblanc was premier from 1967 to 1974, when Dominica had internal self-government under British rule. The island obtained full independence from Britain in 1978.
Leblanc was responsible for introducing islandwide cultural festivities leading up to Dominica’s independence day on Nov. 3, and he died during those very festivities, which include the speaking of French Creole and traditional foods and dress.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described Leblanc as the cultural and social father of modern Dominica.
Leblanc was chief minister in the British colony starting in 1961,and when the island was granted internal self-government in 1967 became premier – a post he held until he retired in 1974. As a leader, Leblanc championed the cause of the rural poor “little man,” a term he often used that has endured as a political catch phrase of the Labor Party.
He is the island’s only political leader to have contested three elections in three different constituencies and won. Some mused that if Leblanc “dressed up a broomstick” and asked voters to vote for that broomstick, they would.
In a move that he never fully explained, Leblanc abruptly resigned as premier in 1974, at age 50.