MP-elect Hector John focuses on outside expertise to develop party’s policies

John. *DNO file pic

Parliamentary Representative for the Salisbury constituency and newly chosen Opposition leader Hector John has said that a priority action for him would be that of bringing new people into the party to aid in the development of policy papers.

John said that this aim would involve working with professionals from outside along with party members to develop plans and programs which will help in the development process.

“I think bringing new people in, working with new people from outside. I think that would help in terms of pushing our policies together, policy papers. Developing plans and programs that will further help in the development process, we have for example … the problem in the banana industry right now, in agriculture. That is an area where we can have short term turn over in bringing people back into agriculture…” he said.

The young politician said that he is also willing to collaborate with persons on the ‘other side’ in order to achieve what is needed to bring the country together.

“So it is all inclusive, it’s all about brining Dominicans together. I am one of the new politicians I think I can speak with other politicians on the other side and other people on the other side, bring people on the fence, and that is what we want to do in bringing the country together,” John said.

John is convinced that all stakeholders must be involved for the development process to take place.

“That fight for democracy is a very important one and as a green politician as I would say, that I can work with others to champion that cause and lead from the front.  It is very important for us to do that to work together, it’s very important for the party to create that environment. We have been doing that but we have to continue to do it at every level to bring in every stake holder to ensure that we move forward in the right direction that is where we will start off,” he stated.

The opposition leader said that he will soon select his four senators.  John said that his senatorial appointments will display a good balance between youth, experience and professionalism.

He added, “We’ll be also looking at implementing a shadow cabinet so we could work with everybody and look at the different ministries.”

John was announced as the party’s choice for the opposition leader post on Wednesday at a United Workers Party (UWP) press conference.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

49 Comments

  1. Pollitrickslicking
    July 19, 2010

    @dancea: Please read comments properly before you react. Thanks.

  2. Pollitrickslicking
    July 19, 2010

    @Declare all assets: Sorry, but you’ve totally missed the point.
    This is not about what Sk^&*** is doing.

    This is a question of us finding ways to ensure that the persons we choose to lead us do not repeat the same mistakes over and over again. When we are able to look over the greens, blues and reds, we will be able to look at more specific issues and seek solutions that will help deter, avoid or reduce what we say is going on right now.

    If you say that the CID etc. are all scared to act, then why do believe that they will not act the same if the same things were to occur under another government? I never accused Mr. John of bad intentions, but by the way we elect leaders, we do permit these kinds of issues. Simply because like Sk**** we are not putting Sp*** under the test of time.

    Just keep in mind that this is not about ‘Spags’ or ‘skerro’, it is about what WE expect and demand of our leaders. Enough damage has been done, no one excluded, not UWP or DLP. So what do WE expect from him, and what are WE willing to do, to ensure that he is not misled and ends up committing the same mistakes whether intentionally or unintentionally.

  3. jean bawiii
    July 18, 2010

    HALF OF YOU HERE KNOW ABOUT HECTOR BUT YET STILL YOU ALL ARE TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT HIM AND HIS SPEECH, YOU’LL WANTED US TO GIVE SKERRIT “THE YOUNG MAN” A CHANCE AND WE DID… SO WHY CAN’T YOU’LL GIVE OUR YOUNG MAN A CHANCE!!! SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST TOO NEGATIVE AND FOOLISH AND THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW IT!

  4. UPTOWN REBEL!!!
    July 18, 2010

    @Declare all assets: Man…Thats the best comment that i have ever read on this thing….Very well said….By the way,are you Dominican nuh?…If so,can you wake up the rest of the masses?….I am begining to feel a sense of hope after all. Keep up the pressure bro.
    Hopefully,people will be enlightened….Thank you,for telling it like it is.
    Positive vibrations for positive solutions.
    Peace!……..

  5. come c
    July 18, 2010

    concern dominican that is exactly my point!
    people are just runnming their fingers because they have internet- no so different from them politicians.

  6. All the way with sprags. Thats a great move by the party.

  7. Stupid
    July 17, 2010

    @concern dominican: What nonsense u talking about biological bomb. You cant be a Dominican! You dont have family in Dominica. There are just some things u shouldnt say.

  8. just sayin
    July 17, 2010

    @hopeful:

    It seems like you had less to say than me. With your type of shallow thinking no wonder you think John is a viable leader. What is U.A.S again? You really comparing President Obama’s seasoned cabinet to those who will guide John? Ou nee cheh eh! You cannot be serious. John is probably your boy so you taking for him, but don’t come here trying to change my opinion based on biasness. Obama may have been inexperienced, but he brought some massive competencies to the plate such as high intellect, excellent education, and a wicked ability to understand the political process and so on. Coupled with that, he has the best advisors money can buy. People who are experts in their field because of education and experience. They paid their dues to be where they are today. What due dilligence has John paid for him to be rewarded with this position? Stupes. Man, doh get me started. How is John going to stand up in parliarment and discuss the business of the people and counter effectively the nonsense spewed by the government. John is not effective enough right now for that and to say otherwise is pure dotishness.

  9. Mahaut
    July 17, 2010

    @contributor: I perosnally do not have faith in Prevost that he would be the best fit to be the party leader. I think he has been an excellent servant to the party,
    but I do not see much leadership qualities in him. For so long he as been in the party, if he was a leader, these qualities would have catapaulted him to party leader.

  10. Met-gel-mon-CB
    July 17, 2010

    As I said before, I’m not too bright nor does my age arm me with the privilege of experience but I have been in a few organizations. I do know that leaders with no subordinates equals head-into-the-john.

    The UWPee most media-genic four (4) leaders issues a news flash with a new strategy (talking point) daily. If I was a dating guy, I would called that ‘peacocking’. My ultimate question is how does that help us the young people/Dominica?

    I do admit though, instead of sitting at the edge of my seat worried about the next suicide statement these guys are going to pull out the U-hat, I will stay on the ‘otherside’ and enjoy the comedy.

  11. To the next Level we going
    July 17, 2010

    Mr.Hector John is a joker in a pack of cards, a little boy in big man clothers. Hector what went on in D.B.M.C under the United workers party while you were working their. Let the turth been told. AMEN

  12. hmmm
    July 17, 2010

    thats wat alot of dominicans were askin for…a young energetic man with new ideas…now they assigned him this position yall vex…nahh yall just threatened cus he had a great start if u ask me compared to mr pm who has been the pm for how many yrs and STILL speaks like a lil boy….!

  13. CleanKaribik
    July 17, 2010

    Spragg or spaggs keep to your words. This is the best a politician can do. I am a labor supporter and i’m i total agreement with ur preachings. Once u can do this the fire will blaze and the blind politician will be enlightened cause where everything think the same no one has the balls to think otherwise. Don’t be like the frog who is at the bottom of the well and thinks that the top is just as wide as he can see. only if he could surface there would be a total different perspective.

    God bless you bro and all the nature ilse politician

  14. concern dominican
    July 17, 2010

    u guys in dominica what i suggest should happen is to throw a biological bomb down there and wipe out the population , cause i never come across more ignorant people in my life.Just talking trash because they have access to internet.

  15. July 16, 2010

    @Just sayin’: why dont you get off your —– if you have something else to contribute than you negativity let us hear it other wise give the young man a chance or zip it, you mentioned the U.A.S President he went outside the box to ask for help and he still does so I would say to you give it a rest that’s why people like you can only live in DOMINICA.I dont have to be a supporer to understand what he is saying open you mind and let breeze go thru.

  16. RICK ROSS
    July 16, 2010

    @Just sayin’: HE has no potential…ZERO

  17. Just sayin'
    July 16, 2010

    @Dan:

    Dan you hit the nail on the head. Everything that John said was just a play on words. JOhn must have listened to Obama’s speeches and borrowed the sentiment behind them. Unfortunately, those sentiments don’t belong to Dominica so they seem out of place. Just words. People listeneing to that who don’t know better think John is saying something substantive. But he is not. This is not to say that John is a bad guy, or incompetent guy. He just does not have the indoctrination into the political world yet to make any significant contribution. As such, we can expect to hear the same fluff, the simple words, the circular reasoning of inexperience and greenness. This is sad because he does have potential. But being forced into ths position so prematurely will only prematurely force his political demise.

  18. Red-Antz
    July 16, 2010

    ……………….and this is the first step toward bringing outsiders to tamper with our political process. this is not about policy papers, it´s about trying to buy dominicans with outside influence when next elections come around. we see right through u.

  19. ouboutou
    July 16, 2010

    @Met-gel-mon-CB: You are so right to conclude that you are not very bright,,,it is so obvious, a blind man can see.

    All the best.

  20. July 16, 2010

    Stop killing the seed before it grow.See what the brother got to offer.those before were total failure but maybe he got some freash ideas to bring on the table.We got a great young prime minister maybe we can have a great young opposition leader..give him his shine is a good look for D.A.freashness is always welcome.

  21. E
    July 16, 2010

    Good move and do not get derailed.Dominica is sinking and men of integrity like you have to come through.. I am with you all the way…..HONESTY AND INTEGRITY MUST BE YOUR TEA !!!!

  22. Dave
    July 16, 2010

    Hector you are already looking older than Prevost. Now given that responsibility with edison on your back Am sorry for you son. Edison Never wants but he always wants to be in controll.

  23. Bagguyla
    July 16, 2010

    Sounding good so far Mr. John just don’t allow Edison and Ron and the other old heads in the party to come in our way of renovating the party. You need to try to become leader of the party to stamp your authority and take over because Edison and Ron and the others in the generation are bunch of losers. You are suggesting a new method of politics and that is good, bring in new people to revive the party and restore credibility. I am not pro-UWP but Dominica needs a credible opposition so that we do not end up with a one party state. If the UWP has to continue on the path they took for the past 7 months that is exactly what would have happened. They crying about one party state but they were the biggest contributors to that when they abdicated their responsibility!!! Stop the nonsense my brother and save your party and Dominica by extension.

  24. Following their master like poddles
    July 16, 2010

    I always divide politicians into two groups. Those who live by what they know to be a lie, and those who live by what they believe, falsely, to be the truth. You just cant win with these people. You can only pick the bad from the worse.

  25. Anonymous
    July 16, 2010

    @contributor:

    Don;t you know Norris was the first choice but he declined the opportunity

    get ure facts right

    source: i’m a uwp insider who was present at the meeting.

    And be aware that the leader of the opposition is not the leader of the party —We may very well see the elcetion of Mr Isidore as the Party’s leader at the next delegates conference

  26. roots man
    July 16, 2010

    hey bro i hope you know is a trap dem man set for you just like earl so becarefull dem man don’t like west cost man i telling you

  27. Declare all assets
    July 16, 2010

    @Pollitrickslicking: The issue is not that a politician or future PM shouldn’t have a house, acquire property, or possess a vehicle? The main question is would those assets be obtained through genuine, honest hard work. How transparent would the acquisition of those assets be in the eyes of the public is also key. Anyone, PM or not who use his public office to acquire assets through dubious, corrupt ways should be asked where or how those were obtained, especially if a PM’s salary doesn’t support such largess. The public has a right to know. With all the allegations and in many instances irrefutable proof of the present PM acquiring all those assets by questionable means, the public has yet to get an answer. The investigative journalist, Linton, our local BOB Woodward, have on numerous occasions enlightened Dominicans about VILLAS in Savanne Paille, land deals in Trafalgar and elsewhere, other assets obtained while in office, but no one has yet taken him to court for lying or for libel. Edison James has many times asked whether the PM Skerritt has any interest in those VILLAS in Savanne Paille, asset in Picard and so on. The PM up to now cannot respond to those allegations which seem to most Dominicans to have some truth. Documents and e-mails have been publicly read out to prove the matter, No response. No court action against Linton or James. Why? Somebody is afraid to take them to court because it will be more problem for that person or persons involved. If Linton is lying ,don’t you think he would already be dragged to the courts? What is worse, assets are put on other people’s name to hide the real owner. If those actions are not bare face corruption, tell us what is?

    Our institutions refuse up to this time to investigate those revelations. IPO inactive, ineffective and won’t act, CID seem afraid, Financial Intelligence Unit contemplating what to do. Questions are being asked especially about the IPO’s inaction, since it seems those assets were not declared to them when politicians were asked to declare truthfully all their assets. Dominicans concluded after hearing Linton that the correct information regarding personal assets by some people were not given. On the other side of the coin, Ron Green and his colleagues were very frank and had nothing to hide. Ron even publicly announced all his assets to all Dominicans. Those Dominicans who resent the TRUTH, still cannot believe that Ron could be so up front and truthful. Those people will never accept the truth. By the sweat of thy brow thou shall eat bread. The bible nowhere proclaims to or encourages anyone that by dubious, corrupt means especially while in public office , thou shall eat bread. In Dominica some could break the law and nothing happens. Is not Dominicans DAMN BUSINESS where I get money from. Whose quote is that? You already forget?

  28. quieter
    July 16, 2010

    congrats to u spaggs, i wish u well honestly. Though i am not a supporter of ur party, i hope u step up to the plate and revive ur dying party or rather dead party.

  29. Anonymous
    July 16, 2010

    It has corruption in your face and you keep staying silent and you speaking about ‘old corrupted eggs’.

  30. possie
    July 16, 2010

    @TRUE DOMINICAN: see thats the problem with us so u wld say not give pres obama a chance i am not a uwp fan but i have an open mind da first not party 1st
    so i say give the guy a chance he has 2 start some where rwemember guys da first.

  31. Anonymous
    July 16, 2010

    DOMINICANS TOO LIKE TO SAY WHAT THEY WANT WHEN THEY ARE IGNORANT OF THE FACT!HE HAS THE BEST PEOPLE AROUND HIM TO ADVISE HIM UNLIKE WHAT,(SHOULD I SAY WHO,NO!) WHAT YOU ALL HAVE AS PM!
    EVERYONE HAS TO START SOMEWHERE!

  32. Kurt aka Mr. Riviere Cyrique President
    July 16, 2010

    Yes, Mr. John you made a huge step in the right direction. Now I can’t be consider for R.C/M.J. They will say its a gift to me.

    Goodluck
    Best wishes

  33. kimrah
    July 16, 2010

    i love u.but hate side u on sorry sprags.k

  34. DosEquis
    July 16, 2010

    Where is Ethiopia?

  35. dancea
    July 16, 2010

    @Pollitrickslicking:

    Really, this not the time for silly unhelpful reactions to what John has annoiunced. Bloody good move, I say. If / since you do not have the expertise, get it from wherever you can, in stead of the silly nonsense we have been getting from the UWP over the past few months. They tell the world they are boycotting Parliament, then tell the world Skerrit is forcing them out. They do not go to Parliament for the Budget presentation, then tell the world Skerrit gave them no time to debate. When will this silly childish contradictory noinse3nse stop.

    May be we are now getting serious and starting to talk in terms of issues papers. Only five years late — because the party came to the electorate with absolutely nothing. No plans, no strategies, no policies, not even a manifesto. Were the electorate supposed to vote for THAT? UWP / Edison / Ron / Norris were a disgraceful embarrassment, Get on with those issues papers so that we can identify the real differences between the parties. We await.

  36. Anonymous
    July 16, 2010

    HE HAS A HOUSE ALREADY

  37. Ron
    July 16, 2010

    This guy is as green as they come. He hasn’t yet made a presentaion to the house. I see a set up written all over his appointment. I’m curous to find out what kind of advice Earl Williams gave to Mr. Spraggs. So far he seems to be operating like Eddie’s boom-boom fly.

  38. frank
    July 16, 2010

    Give the young man a chance, I agree; but we need to get rid of all the old corrupted eggs. As long as they are part of the organization, the results will always be the same.

  39. frank
    July 16, 2010

    yes, there is something to say about acquiring too much too fast. if you put any n umber of people in a room, someone will be offended or unhappy. we can’t please everybody, but the corruption of this island is no secrete. it’s out in the open for everyone to see and that is why some of you fail to see it for what it is. we will never all agree, but until someone can lead this island with the island’s best interest at heart, the results will always be the same

  40. Democratic lover
    July 16, 2010

    boy al u bad, oui but politstrikslicking right, so when spraggs bild his house, what dey go say, too young, too much too soon, corruption, bobool,.
    Spraggs do your best , be patient and let the five years be your postgraduate in the University of life. i am glad You are willing to work with the PM.

  41. Dan
    July 16, 2010

    Key points that comes from Mr. Hector John speech:

    Point #1 – The fact that at this time he is looking outside of the party for help in developing the party’s policy papers is a clear indication that UWP after over 10 years of existence never had any sense of direction.

    Point #2 – The fact that he is looking outside of the party for help in developing the party’s own policy papers is a clear indication that UWP after over 10 years of existence have nothing of their own to offer the Dominican people.

    Point #3 – In saying that “he is willing to collaborate with persons on the ‘other side’ in order to achieve what is needed to bring the country together” is just a very pitiful way of saying our dying party is desperately in need of help. This talk about bringing the country together is just a play on words to suggest that the country is divided. The only division this country has is a few small pockets of people who have not yet embraced the way forward.

    Point #4 – Mr. Hector said, “I am one of the new politicians I think I can speak with other politicians on the other side and other people on the other side, bring people on the fence.” This is a realization by UWP that they can never get back in Government as a standalone party, so this is wishful thinking of forming some kind of coalition. The question is with whom. The dead can’t help the dying and what business does the living have among the dead.

    Point #5 – When a leader speaks and says so often “I think – I think” this is a man who is undecided of his own ideas so how can he expect others to put their trust in him.

    Point #5 – Mr. Hector said, “That fight for democracy is a very important one and as a green politician as I would say, that I can work with others to champion that cause and lead from the front.” More play on words; no one likes to feel imprisoned, so by telling people that their freedom is at stake is just another pitiful attempt by the UWP to arouse unrest in the country and get supporters.

    Point #6 – Mr. John said his senatorial appointments will display a good balance between youth, experience and professionalism. This is to say that in time to come the old guys will be stepping aside and lest experience and just as hopeless young leaders will take the UWP baton and continue the race down hill.

  42. Tomas
    July 16, 2010

    … no new ideas. Isn’t he supposed to be the best of us? To represent the best of us? Alas, some of us think we deserve better.

  43. Just sayin'
    July 16, 2010

    @TRUE DOMINICAN:

    I agree. John is not opposition leader material. Read the artcile. What exactly did John say? I read a lot of redundant nonesense about bringing people from outside, going to the next level and working with people. What does all that mean? The man cannot even articulate what he means, he just talking alot of fluff that dont have any content and meaning behind it and we must give him a chance? To do what? stupes. That is why we will always stay so. we keep praising nonesense and rallying behind people that have nothing to bring to the plate. John would have done well to observe for a few years how things are done and getting some seasoning in the process. Then after 2 years or so they could have made him leader, but not now atall. This makes me sick.

  44. Met-gel-mon-CB
    July 16, 2010

    I am confused. As a typical Dominican I gave my party the benefit of a doubt. It had 99.9% of my support, despite the fact that I knew in my heart that the leadership’s jealous and destructive fight with the Prime Minister had nothing to do with the development of Dominica.

    Now, I’m not a very bright young fellow (yeah, yeah, yeah I know its obvious), but I had enough of you guys, the party of leaders. You have too many tongues and flip-flop more than an ex-leader of a certain country. After you have turn neighbors, families, friends, and the Diaspora against each other we are to now embrace the principles (which we were told, ‘are boyish, corrupted, and reckles’) of the anointed one (Skerrit) and his party.

    I am now officially a supporter of Dominica Labour Party. I will educate myself with its mandates and principles straight from the source. Lets just say that I am eliminating the middle man.

  45. WARMA
    July 16, 2010

    @TRUE DOMINICAN: How did you come to this conclusion, Oh Wise One! I am a Laborite, but I am also one who is willing to work with ALL in order to move the country forward – it’s not about party now, its about Dominica.

  46. contributor
    July 16, 2010

    i am feeling really bad for Norris Prevost…this man has injected lots of finance and energy in the UWP and still for all James cannot find him fit for the leadership? Prevost i am thinking twice right now if i should continue support the party…somethings smells really wung!

  47. Pollitrickslicking
    July 16, 2010

    Something to think about.

    Here it is, a young man who is very ambitious and educated but is unemployed, has no significant assets to his name but is the next potential PM of Dominica.

    If he were to win, build a beautiful house, acquire property and gain some level of affluence, would corruption be the cry? Would we expect him as PM to not own a decent home or property? Would we say that he is acquiring too much too soon? As we all know, like our salaries, the PM’s flat salary only allows for a certain amount of spending.

    Like Spags now, S*****tt was seen in the same light, ambitious, good character, excellent leadership qualities. The Future for both the Party and country.

    Do we know to what extent the ambitions of these ‘humble’ promising individuals reach? Are we in a position to blindly accept such candidacy, when after having been barely gainfully employed a person makes his way to the political arena and within 6mths to 2 years rises to the level of leader and becomes PM? Not because of hard earned years of merit and service, but because of youth, wit and a bachelor’s degree?

    Is it a blessing, luck, opportunity or opportunistic tendencies that make it seemingly so simple to inherit the reigns of a country under such circumstances, without having to stand the test of time and prove oneself as a person of character, wisdom, integrity and honesty? Even when we do not know how deep the ambitions of these young minds run?

    Do not get me wrong, I am not bashing the young man. Just observing what seems to be a repeated trend, and wish him all the best.

    God bless our country.

  48. positive
    July 16, 2010

    “GIVE THE YOUNG MAN A CHANCE TO PROVE HIMSELF”. If I can recall correctly, that is what was requested by most Dominicans for the young Prime Minister. So I say the same.GIVE THE YOUNG MAN A CHANCE TO PROVE HIMSELF ok DOMINICANS. THANK YOU.

  49. July 16, 2010

    sorry this guy sprags John ,does not have what it takes to be leader of opposition ! what a grave mistake by uwp!

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available