Hon. Hector John, the newly appointed Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Dominic,a left the state over the weekend bound for Trinidad, where he will attend the 35th Conference of Regional Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
This year’s conference is being held under the theme “Modernisation of Caribbean Parliaments: Forging our own identity”. Some 60 delegates representing the Parliaments of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic region will gather at the Parliament Chamber and the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port of Spain for deliberations on such important topics as:
Effective measures of ensuring accountability and transparency in government: best practices for smaller Legislatures; Parliament as an Autonomous Body – separation from the Executive Branch of Government; Advancing our democracies through constitutional reform: fixed term for a Prime Minister; Making the Legislature more accessible and interactive for citizens: how to make this possible.
Among the delegates who will be attending the conference are the Chief Minister of Anguilla, Hubert Hughes, Speakers of the Parliaments of Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Jamaica and Montserrat. Also in attendance will be former Premiere and Deputy Speaker of Bermuda Dame Jennifer Smith and Hon. Norris Prevost, Parliamentary representative for Roseau Central.
Hon. John sees the conference as an important opportunity to network with and update the Caribbean colleagues on the state of Democracy in Dominica.
“Having been the victim of the Speaker declaring my seat in parliament vacant, although the people of Salisbury, Morne Rachette and Coulibistrie voted me back overwhelmingly, this Conference will serve as an opportunity to dialogue with and update regional officials of both Government, and Opposition parties, on the critical threats facing our Parliamentary Democracy in Dominica, by the continued absence of voter ID cards, a padded electoral list, denial of fair access to state owned media to the opposition, and the denial of Opposition rights in Parliament. I will also be looking for networking opportunities between youth and sports organizations in Trinidad, and youth and sports organizations in Dominica,” he said.
GOOD LUCK IN THE FIRST ASSIGIMENT.WE ALL KNOWN YOU WILL DO YOUR BEST.
@Prophet2: The OECS Secretariat is not bigger than the will of the people of Dominica. Hector’s trip will come to nothing. The OECS knows better than meddling in the internal affairs of member states.
Hector John could not attend one sitting of parliament, now he going Trinidad. Enjoy the fame Hector. If it was Skerrit I wonder what would the UWPeeessss say.
I think Mr John is using poof judgement. Why should he take Dominica’s dirty laundry outside. Believe it or not other countries have their issues but surely not using a meeting atbthat caliber to expose it. He will become the Jack in the box and they will look down on him. They will think he is bitter because he is nothing short of a poor loser.
Mr John, should keep it professional and learn from these meetings how better serve effectively. HD needs to consider how he can work on bringing about positive change for the country.
I bid him luck and pray he would lift his country up and not tear if down at the meeting.
Stay Tuned seems to be singing for his supper. You will not be a senator, and u can take that to the Bank!!!!! You such a sour loser garcon:)
Dominican politics isn’t local anymore, it’s at OECS level…stupid. Things have changed so start thinking big. The OECS Secretariat/Commission is bigger than Skerrit.
This is ridiculous. What is happening in Dominica are internal politics and every island, country, nation have its share of internal politics. But do you see other countries going to forums like this to discuss internal political matters? No.
Read any Caribbean newspaper on line and you will see internal political struggles but none are being discuss on regional forums.
Hector needs to demonstrate that his party is a viable government in waiting by proposing plans for the development of the nation. For example I haven’t seen anything from the opposition as an alternative to the budget. What do they have to offer to the people of this nation that can negate what the government in power is doing?
This is the kind of things we are looking for, not trips to regional meetings to discuss internal political matters.
Considering that the Speaker is to be present at that meeting lets see who will have a greater influence. lmao
@Alas: to you in your small minded world in dominica it is bs….to others in the civilized world it is important for the future of those here locally and regionally. You just to blinded to realise that is good for you. Such a sad thing.
@local tiger: I wonder who is making a “FOOL” of themselves by demonstrating their inability to spell properly and make sense. lol lol.
Hector stop making a full of your self.Attend your fist seating and after take it from there.
your face says who you are. full of yourself.
Way to go my boy! ID card is the new mantra.
OK, he wears a jacket and tie but no difference from the one with the shirt-jack.
Boii- that’s why i didn’t see no facebook Joke!!!!!!!!
Strange for someone who has not attended ONE sitting of Parliament but he is off to Trinidad,(Free Trip!!). Time to get down to doing what you are elected to do,representation in Parliament.
Way papa, well I fraid for Hector…they already like to talk so much BS!
I see this as no more than TROUBLE.
Every country has its own messes to think about so just dont go and wash your dirty laundry in the neighbour’s yard Mr. John. Don’t go over there and give the impression that DA is so badly off that we will not survive another day. On the other hand, go and speak to general issues that will benefit all the islands and listen to the presenters from other islands and try to learn something from what they are saying. Remember you just come. Listen twice as much as you speak. Don’t make people laugh at us.
Good going my boy. We will deal with them accordingly in a few months.
Althought this is a very good move for the leader of opposition to attend this meeting, I believe that it’s a bad move to publicise Dominica’s political affairs to the wider caribbean. Mr . John, you attend to learn to become an effective parliamentarian and to lead your party to victory, not to tarnish Dominica’s reputation to the wider body. You don’t hear other opposition parties doing that don’t you?
One day when you get in power , you will see things at a different perspective, ecause what you do now will affect the credibility of your part and your country in the future. Think wisely before you act.