Blocked! No-confidence motion bumped over technicality
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley successfully removed an Opposition-led no-confidence motion from the House of Assembly’s (HOA) agenda yesterday, September 3, arguing that the Opposition did not follow the correct procedure.
Premier Wheatley cited Standing Order 23, which outlines the HOA’s procedure for submitting motions. He explained that the motion had been improperly placed on the order paper because it was not handed to the Clerk of the House, as stipulated by the rules. Instead, the notice was emailed to the Speaker, who shared it with the Clerk. The Premier stressed that this technical error invalidated the motion.
“The Standing Order says that a notice must be given to the Clerk seven days prior to the item appearing on the order paper, and that was not done,” the Premier stated. He argued that while the Opposition had the right to bring forward motions, the rules and procedures must be followed to ensure proper governance.
Several lawmakers weighed in on the debate, with Opposition members expressing disappointment over the Premier’s objection.
Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton expressed frustration, arguing that the Speaker’s and Clerk’s offices are in the same precinct, and the motion should still be valid. “The Premier wants to be exact. I left it at the Clerk’s office. So I am of the view that when I leave it with the Speaker, I left it with the Clerk,” Skelton said while arguing that the Premier’s actions appeared overly technical and unfair.
Unfair?
Skelton said the Opposition had been very accommodating in recent months and argued that it was important for the Premier to be fair to both sides. “Not because he is the government and has the big stick, he is going to use it when it’s convenient for him,” Skelton argued.
However, Premier Wheatley defended his stance, stating that his concern was solely about adhering to the rules. “The correct procedure was not followed. The members of the Opposition and the leader of the Opposition can follow the correct procedure; and then the resolution can be placed on the order paper in a subsequent sitting,” he said.
Wheatley accused the Opposition of creating instability and hurting the country at a time when stability was badly needed. He also suggested they were salivating over the opportunity to make a power grab, even as an Order in Council hangs over the BVI’s head.
Despite the heated exchanges, House Speaker Corine George-Massicote upheld the Premier’s objection, ruling that the motion had not been properly placed on the Order Paper because it was not submitted according to the requirements of Standing Order 23. The Speaker stated, “It was clear that the motion was sent to the Speaker rather than the Clerk,” the Speaker said. “My ruling is that the motion on the paper was not properly placed, as it did not comply with Standing Order 23 and as such, should be removed.”
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Wheatley could run all he wants. He will have to face the motion. I want the opposition to roast him.
The BVI needs the equivalent of Gilbert and Sullivan, Charles Dickens, James Joyce, et al, to record for posterity the wheelings and dealings of island’s governments and their legal advisors over the last 40 years.
Natalio Wheatley knows nothing about rules only when is benefits him he is a snake in the grass. You have broken so many rules we won’t know where to start. They are coming after you so be ready you are not doing anything for the BVI they will do the correct procedure and we hope it’s before you go to the UK they are going to wipe that grin off of your face don’t think for one moment think you won. If creating instability can get rid of you most of the people of the BVI welcome it, it’s not hurting the country it’s hurting your do nothing government Ronnie Skelton stay and top of him.
That photo pretty much sums it up!!
It’s him picking out his next side …
One media house asked a very important question at the Press Conference. – If the Motion of No Confidence succeeds, who will be the Premier?
And they went all around the mulberry bush. Let’s hope that the next motion of no confidence is going to be against the Leader of the Opposition.
Who laughs last laugh best….long rope for meager goat
What sweet in goat mouth does sour in he bam bam
I jus wanna know if its just me that catch that there may have been some fishy business as it relates to Madam Speaker giving Mr Premier heads up on the submission of the order? Walwyn clocked it and asked the right questions about it….isnt Madam Speaker suppose to remain nuetral? Why if the order twas submitted to HER, would she then go and advise him on the sly?
I as well as a few people peeped that deck of cards. I was engaging in conversation with four seniors in my community and we were all in agreement that Ms. Madame Speaker were the one that give the Premier the hands up. That woman that is sitting up in the speakers seat IS ANOTHER SNAKE IN THE HOA. KEEP YOUR EYES ON HER.SHE IS COILED UP WITH THE NOT SO SMART PREMIER JUST LIKE THE LAST SPEAKER WAS COILED UP WITH THE ONE THAT IS SERVING 11 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON.
No my dear you are not the only one that caught that one. Plenty of us caught that move.All of us is not dumbos. We know what’s good.
Ok Mr. Bean, LOL
Now everyone is seeing why after all the shifting and moving, Fahie settled on Sowande as his Deputy Premier. The guy’s light is not as dim as many believe! How could the Opposition make such a rookie blunder with something this important to the Territory? All those seasoned guys over there and nobody understood protocols and made sure there were no loopholes for the Government to jump through? Thi s is totally shameful and the Opposition doesn’t look any better than the Government in terms of performance right now. Their press conference was complete shambles as well. On a sidenote, has the fighting on the opposition side ceased?
I know that’s not his phone he’s smiling at behind that book!
HE Glad mehson just enough time to catch a flight out the country
Now he walking around like the proud NBC Peacock with his chest in the air.
is saying )> oh my goodness , this is really hilarious with all the knowledge they claim to possess and they so greedy for power that they cannot even file a ( no confidence motion ) and these are the same clowns that want to tek me seat “
KEEP THE GOVERNOR IN THE UK AND SEND THE PREMIER BACK, DON’T EVEN ALLOW THE PREMIER TO GET OFF THE PLANE WHEN HE LAND IN THE UK.HE NEED TO BE IN THE TERRITORY PUTTING IN WORK NOT CHASING GUM DROPS AND LOLLIPOPS IN THE UK.
He right on this one.
Where under any Standing Order notice is required such notice shall be given in writing, signed by the Member and addressed to the Clerk. Such notice
Legislative Council Standing Orders 12
shall be handed to the Clerk or sent to, or left at, the Clerk’s office during the hours prescribed for the purpose.
If that was done. Do it right next time. We want this vote of no confidence as we have no confidence in the Govenrnment and it is now clear why we shoudl have no confidence in the jokers in the opposition. We
We need lawmakers and legislators that think rules and laws matter.
Rats are very cunning. When you try to catch a rat you will find them very cunning especially in the House of Assembly where rats are bigger than normal and you will need a sophisticated rat trap to catch King Rat.
Whether or not the motion was sent to the Speaker rather than the Clerk (who by the way, subsequently received the motion) is not a matter for debate. The matter at hand is whether the stipulated 7 days prior notice period elapsed from the date the clerk received the motion to the item appearing on the order paper.
It appears that the opposition wanted to surprise the Government by filing such motion without the proper seven days notice. If that the case, then the Premier was correct.
Unfortunately, its no longer a secret…it can be refiled or be placed on the order paper in a subsequent sitting. This allows additional time for both parties to strengthened their arguments for or against the motion for the next sitting.