James, Edison C (1943– )

Dominican left-of-centre politician, prime minister 1995–2000. He formed the United Workers' Party (UWP) in 1988, leading it in 1990 to become the main opposition to Eugenia Charles's Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), ahead of the long-established Dominica Labour Party (DLP). The UWP narrowly won the 1995 general election and James became prime minister, also holding the foreign affairs, labour, and legal affairs portfolios.

James was born in Marigot, northeast Dominica, and trained as an agronomist at UK universities 1969–76. On his return he worked as a farm improvement officer and in agricultural management, and was general manager of the Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation from 1980 to 1987.