Democratic Party (DP) Vice President Stuart Johnson has tendered his resignation from the Democratic Party (DP) with immediate effect as vice president and party member, citing as his reason DP’s "lack of cohesion" and the practice of a "top down leadership approach with no regard for the general membership. Johnson is a former candidate, DP youth wing president and one of the founding members of the Chapter for Professional Young People (CPYP).
Johnson, strong supporter of DP and an active member since age 14, wrote in his letter to DP long-time leader, Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams that the main reason for distancing himself the party is that DP has "failed to embrace its candidates who undoubtedly can positively contribute to our country."
Johnson is confident his former party leader Wescot-Williams understands first-hand the need for change, after all she did leave the PDP to join DP some twenty years ago. "Politically, our paths will cross again as our country needs leaders who can make nonpartisan decisions for the betterment of our young country," he said.
After several discussions with his family, friends and his support team, Johnson has decided not be a candidate on any party slate in the upcoming general election on any political slate.
Johnson thanked the DP leadership, board, members and supporters for embracing him and for seeing him once again as candidate material with the quality it seeks.
St. Maarten as a young country "desperately needs" more strong community oriented people who can continue to contribute genuinely without having to seek political office, said Johnson. "Evaluating the past four years of country, I have closely observed the progress and lack thereof in some cases. There is more work to be done. Our education system, quality health care, affordable housing for our people and our road network should be the focus of the upcoming governing term."
Johnson asked, "But the question we should ask ourselves is, who is the next visionary leader of St. Maarten? How do we have the aspiration and inspire us to reach our highest level? We need a stable one party Government with a mandate of the people that guides us and know how to do so without any hesitation."