Dominican Opposition names new leader in Parliament

Less than a week after he won a by-election, Hector John has been named as Opposition Leader in the Dominica Parliament.



The leader of the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Ron Green says John who’s 39, will be sworn in shortly and will be backed by a formidable team of experienced parliamentarians.



Last week John and former Prime Minister Edison James won the by-elections for the Marigot and Salisbury constituencies, after the speaker, Alix Boyd Knights, declared the seats vacant in April.



She made the decision after the two opposition legislators boycotted parliament to protest what they claim were the irregularities in last December’s general elections which the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) won by an 18-3 margin.



The UWP leader told reporters that the Roosevelt Skerrit government has failed to deal with issues regarding electoral reform and as a result, the UWP will continue to boycott the Parliament.