Dominica’s Hector John was among leaders of the parliamentary opposition in the member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) who met in St Lucia last Friday to discuss issues relating to the operationalisation of the OECS economic union.
“We see it as a move in the right direction,” John told DNO, explaining that such consultation can help unite politicians on a regional front in the interest of moving forward the business of economic union in the OECS.
“To ensure that we harmonise our laws, to ensure that everything that happens within the region, they are harmonized and in the interest of the people,” the Dominican parliamentary opposition leader said.
The meeting which was also attended by United Workers Party (UWP) political leader Edison James, was convened at the request of St Lucian Prime Minister Kenny Anthony in his capacity as chairman of the OECS Authority, in an attempt to brief parliamentarians on developments relating to the economic union.
The organisers said it was also intended to keep alive the process of consultation and public education which has been a feature of the economic union project.
It also addressed issues relating to the inauguration of the OECS Assembly in Antigua next month.
Both John and James told DNO that the other OECS opposition leaders seemed more up to date on information about the OECS economic union, the assembly, and other related matters than the two UWP officials were.
“There are islands who debated the OECS Assembly in the parliament and also chose their delegates already for the meeting in Antigua next month, and we have not done that here in Dominica,” John told DNO.
He said too, that the party “heard that Dominica had ratified the agreement (on economic union)” but that the matter had not been the subject of substantive parliamentary debate in Roseau.
James told DNO that he would not like to see the Dominica delegation to the assembly – government and opposition – getting into a combative affair at the regional level.
“We recognize that the local politics will not be eliminated,” James said, expressing optimism that rivals who battle it all out politically on the local front can somehow present a united front in the interest of country at the OECS assembly.
He is advocating “as much as possible, a oneness of mind on issues that have to be dealt with at a regional level”.
The UWP officials were among opposition parliamentarians who at the St Lucia meeting expressed full support for the OECS economic union.
Some reminded the meeting that they were active and passionate promoters of the economic union initiative when they served in government, and asserting that they were not about to change their position because they were now members of the opposition in the parliaments of their respective countries.
Referring specifically to the assembly, James told DNO that it would be an opportunity “for us to speak about, to sort of enunciate our thinking and to speak about how we take action to give effect to our thinking”.
He was responding to concerns that it could end up being “just another talk shop”.
oh oh, UWP talking unity now man…
Sportsman:
I can read extremely well. I just commented on Mr James’ and Mr John’s title underneath their photograph and was seeking clarity.
After they boycott Parliament for so long how they expect to know what was happening. UWP sleeping. Somebody wake them up.
@sensible Dominica, your name really doesn’t reflect a trait
strupessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
It seems since James took over there is less stress on you.
We ought to see your name in the news more often man doing more representations…
Is there a case of red eyes around?
Ratification of an Agreement is done so after a Cabinet Paper is drafted on the same and CABINET so approves the ratification and gives directions as to the same. The instrument of ratification is then drafted and given to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his signature. This is not a matter to be debated in Parliament. This simply involved the signing….by the Heads of Government of the OECS MS of a revised version to the Treaty of Basterre….which I must add was already signed by MS of the OECS and was what gave birth to the OECS.
so hector cant stand on his own no where he goes. eddo has to follow all the time. the meeting was for leaders of the opposition and not leaders of a political party. hector should bow his head in shame how can he learn to speak and represent the opposition without eddo in his face or speaking for him.
my advice to him is to resign from the position
The post said parliamentary opposition. Not opposition leader. Learn to read you.
Sportsman:
I can read extremely well. I just commented on Mr James’ and Mr John’s title underneath their photograph and was seeking clarity.
Reply to this comment
What is the difference? Opposition Leader and Political Leader.
@sensible Dominican you need to change your name. The opposition Leader is an elected member of parliament who leads the side opposed to the government. Party Leader can be anybody who leads the party and not necessarily an elected member of parliament. The opposition leader can also be the party leader but it is not mandatorily so. The opposition Leader must be an elected member.This is not a first time thing anyway. Lester Bird when he lost his seat was the leader of the Antigua Labour Party but he was not the Opposition Leader
To be more clear, the opposition leader heads the opposition party in parliamentary matters
Again I was just seeking clarification. Only sensible people seeks clarifications.
STUPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES !