Darron Rodan John, 35, the youngest candidate in the upcoming general election, has praised the “education revolution” and the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration’s ties with Taiwan, even as he has said little about his plans for South Windward.
“I stand before you tonight, not just as the youngest candidate in this election, but a child of the education revolution that the Unity Labour Party made possible,” John said at the ULP’s rally in Calliaqua on Sunday.
“Comrades, that education revolution gave me wings,” said John, a first-time candidate, who will try to retain South Windward for ULP, which has been representing the constituency since 1994.
“Because of the vision, I was able to travel to Taiwan to study through a scholarship made possible because of the foreign policy of this ULP administration here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“That foreign policy took me from the small classroom here to those in the national Donghua University, where I was able to complete my degrees in computer science and information management, all because of Labour.”
He said that while in Taiwan, he studied Mandarin Chinese for a year, and spoke a sentence in Mandarin, telling the audience that it means that he was still studying Chinese in St. Vincent.
“When I left on that journey from Biabou to Taiwan, I carried my community’s hope on my shoulder. I saw first-hand how education, partnership and purpose could transform life,” John said.
“I saw how technology, innovation and good governance can transform lives. Every single day while I was in Taiwan, I missed home. I thought about the people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, how when I return, I would use my skills to uplift our nation,” said John, who lived in Taiwan for six and a half years.
“When I came back from Taiwan, I didn’t just sit down because I wanted to impart the knowledge I had. I went and I stand here as a lecturer at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, where I get to shape the minds of young people, just like how I once sat there in those same classrooms filled with dreams and determination.”
John holds a master’s degree in information management and a Bachelor of Science in computer science and information engineering, both from National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan, where he is also pursuing a doctorate in business administration (information management).
“Comrades, education is not just about passing an exam. It’s about preparing a generation to lead, and that is what this Unity Labour Party government is doing.
“The ULP did not just build schools; we built pathways for progress, and now we are ready for the next phase that is digital transformation and innovation. And comrades, our message is clear. It is to build, to empower and to unite.”
John said he was standing on the shoulders of “great men”, including former South Windward MPs, the late Sir Vincent Beache and his son Glen Beache, and the current MP, Frederick Augustus Stephenson, “whose dedication continues to shine”.
John said he cannot speak about education without mentioning the foreign policy of the ULP, noting that it was through those diplomatic relationships that young people like him were able to go to Taiwan to study and to return home with knowledge to build St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“But let me tell you something important tonight. None of this progress happened in isolation. Partnership matters and friendship matters and the partnership with Taiwan has been life-changing for our country, here in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” John said, adding that hundreds of Vincentians have gained degrees, similarly.
He noted that the YES programme is financed by Taiwan.
“And I was once part of that programme, and that program is funded again by Taiwan, so we have to big up our partnership with Taiwan,” he said, adding that none of this would have been possible without the leadership of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.
“Comrades, that partnership with Taiwan has held thousands of Vincentians, and today it is helping to build our modern hospital, a hospital that would give our people world-class care right here in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.”
Taiwan has lent SVG US$125 million for the construction of a hospital at Arnos Vale and modernisation of the healthcare system.
“You see the roads, the ambulances, the school construction projects, agriculture, you name the sector, the Taiwan partnership is crucial to us,” John said.
He said the opposition New Democratic Party is refusing to commit to Taiwan and had said that they will cut ties with Taipei if elected to office.
“The NDP policy is risky and dangerous for our country. Comrades, ending the relationship with Taiwan will hurt us. First, the scholarships will be gone. That means that the students who are in Taiwan now will have to come home, and I want you to understand that clearly.”
John said that during his time in Taiwan, he saw students from different countries cry when their countries cut diplomatic relations with Taipei.
He said that he did not enter politics because he wanted power.
“I came because I want to serve. I believe that God placed me here for a reason, and like the psalmist said, ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it.’
“Leadership is not about titles; it’s about trust. The new generation of leaders must be guided by faith, compassion and innovation,” John said.
“So, I call on every youth, every mother, every teacher, join me in this moment, walk with me, the people of South Windward, house to house, village by village. Let us show that South Windward stands with Labour.
“Let us build a South Windward that is strong, modern and full of opportunities for the young people out there,” he said.
John will face off with Andrew John, a retired educator of the NDP, who is also making his political debut.
We were not expecting much.
Mr. John, you are known by he company you keep. You walk with an accused rraappist and a woman abuser u are assumed to be one,. Moral and Intergrity still stands for something in life.. Think about it ,. Remember it was said, dem go away fo study and come back mo dotish.
Darren boy shut your mouth you know that you will.be muzzled by the Comrade.