Former Parliamentary Representative of the Salisbury Constituency, Hector ‘Spags’ John is the new Deputy Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP).
The announcement was made during the party’s press conference held at the Garraway Hotel on Tuesday.
John replaces Senator Delbert Paris who recently resigned as Deputy Leader of the UWP.
Paris was elected deputy leader of the UWP at the party’s delegates conference in December, 2024, after he lost his bid for the leadership of the party as Dr. Thomson Fontaine’s only challenger.
However, questions began to surface about Paris’ future in the leadership of the UWP after he voted in favour of some of the electoral reform legislation passed in parliament on March 19, 2025, while his party, as a part of the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC), and a determined gathering of dissatisfied Dominicans, were protesting against the passage of that legislation.
In his resignation statement in April 2025, Paris emphasized that the decision was made after careful consideration of recent events and the current leadership environment within the party. Despite his unwavering commitment to the party’s founding principles and national vision, he expressed difficulty in effectively fulfilling his duties due to several unfortunate developments.
John, who was addressing the press conference earlier today, said he is committed to bringing experience, stability, loyalty, and teamwork in his capacity as the new Deputy Leader of the UWP.
“As I said, I am a team player and I work under the leadership of Dr. Thompson-Fontaine and my other team members to ensure that the United Workers’ Party brings prosperity to the people of Dominica,” he said.
According to John, performance matters and the UWP showed that in the four and a half years during their time in power.
“For 25 years, we have been hearing the blame game about the United Workers’ Party that has been out for 25 years,” he lamented. “ So that means the United Workers’ Party indeed performed for the four and a half years it was in office.”
John believes that as a party, “we should begin to change the narrative to ensure that Dominicans get what they want in terms of prosperity, employment for the children.”
“ I think a lot of us are in politics for what we can get, but not what we can do for the country…,” he stated.
Additionally, John noted that the Salisbury constituency has gained a very hard-working, bold, and independent community in the leadership of the UWP.
“All is not lost,” he added.
Meanwhile, he called on the people of Dominica and members of the UWP to work together as a team.
“We have to work together as a people, we have to work together as a team,” John emphasized. “No matter if you are a Labourite , disgruntled or not…the United Workers’ Party is calling on each and every one of us home, to ensure that we save Dominica for our children and our children’s children.”
Talk about recycled politician. He was once Leader of the Opposition!!
What do we have now after 25 years?
One good thing about Spaggs is that he likes walking around with a briefcase in his hands as always giving people that fake impression that he is a lawyer of some sort when he is nothing but a bullshi..er from Salisbury.
A Deputy is essential! What is equally consequential is to have ALL the caretakers for all the constituencies in place.
Additionally, activate or create a youth and a women’s arm for the party. Women are usually very hard working and loyal, and youth attracts youth to the party.
The UWP needs their leader to be authentic, inspirational, good interpersonal skills, passionate about his duty.
A good political leader is one who knows the priorities of the people he serves. Therefore, it’s imperative that he interacts often with his constituents.
You know, you are so contradictory with this comment. All the skills and attributes you pointed out as to what a leader should have, our PM has, but still you hate him, Why, it tells me you are not genuine when you say things and should not be taken seriously. Now, do you honestly think that Hector ‘Spags’ John as Deputy Leader is going to revamp the UWP. It is funny you all talk about Skritt has been there for 20yrs and done nothing, well how Long has Hector ‘Spags’ John been associated to the UWP and what has he accomplished NOTHING. At a time when The UWP is in crisis, and need a new face with new ideas, he is recycled again lol, is this how this Party wants to win an election,
Question, was he elected by the members or by the inner circle of the club, the latter it seems, isn’t that a slap in the face of the UWP supporters on the frontline. How long are you going to sustain your campaign and rhetoric to remove the PM.
Hector is a good friend,very good friend,UWP must understand to move forward they must bring in YOUNG people.All the executive members of UWP are over 60 people like Nicholas George,Ernie Jno Finn and Lennox Linton are over 60.All those charged and arrested in the attempted coup on March 19 2025 are over 60.UWP is operating like a chicken without head jumping all over the place,A person cannot concentrate without a head and UWP have no head.I am saying to DNO,the last election UWP contested in 2019 they got 16,424 votes,the next election whenever it is called UWP cannot get 12,000 votes.UWP performed for four and a half years,pure bull, they performed to reduce the population from 69,000 to 68,000.If being kicked out of office for corruption,victimisation,greed and lies is performance then UWP will continue to remain in the yard.Hector you cannot campaign on what UWP did from 1995 to 2000,if you do you will continue to lose,UWP failed between 1995 and 2,000,a total FAILURE.
@the Clown
Pure garbage as usual from a sick clown.
In less than 5 years UWP’s performance is still more than that of Labour in 25 years. People had money in their pockets, people were independent and could do things without begging mister CLOWN.
What do you have now mister CLOWN? Only begging. What is Dominica’s present population? About 50 000? Well under labour it has dropped by 20 000. Can you count? This is what you call drop in population CLOWN. You are a fool trying to play wise.Stop putting you foot in your mouth.
Sick, shameless idiot.
Is the UWP serious about the people of Dominica? Hector for deputy leader—you all are reversing instead of going forward. You mean to say you all could not get a young, vibrant person to fill that position? Waste of time, UWP.
They tried the younger Delbert Paris and he failed spectacularly. Once bitten, twice shy. So they have resorted to someone who has been tried and well tested.
A more mature and sensible approach, an approach which can only augur well for the UWP, and Dominica as a whole.
Yes I Spags, I got your back bro.
The only thing you have not done is pay the ultimate price or lets say give your life for the betterment of Ma Dominique. You are more well suited than the said Johnnie come lately senator who went to the house of assembly and sold out the demonstrators who were risking life and limb at the same time to save Ma Dominique. We must NEVER again allow any Johnnie come lately, egoistic, attention seeking person to hijack the work of the United Front because he thinks only he and his so called close friends have the answers. Imagine that!
Salisbury always ahead!
The UWP is miles behind the eight ball. The leadership had enough time to put all their ducks in order. For Dr. Fontaine not to have caretakers in all the constituencies at this crucial point in time, shows he and his party’s inner circle have erred dismally. They are not ready for prime time.
It is not all lost hopefully. The caretakers should be beating the concrete, going house to house, walk the dirt tracks and back alleys throughout the communities, meet the people wherever they are – on the street corner, basketball courts, playgrounds, domino boards, in and outside the supermarket, everywhere.
Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.
Hmmmm. Is Mrs. Victor supposed to now just vanish in thin air, or will ybere now be a three way racing Salisbury.
Poor lady know what’s coming or going just allowing herself to be used and abused.
So what happen to Ronald nuh?
Eagle eye stay in your lane partner..