BVI politics plagued by “selective outrage”, says Walwyn
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has accused political players in the Virgin Islands of practising “selective outrage”, arguing that principles must remain consistent regardless of who is involved.
“We cannot have selective outrage when it suits us. If you have principle, you have principle, regardless of who it is,” Walwyn said. He argued that this culture of double standards undermines the country’s democratic process and public trust.
The Opposition Leader’s comments follow public debate surrounding his appointment to the role in March 2025, supported by fellow opposition members Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull and Stacy Mather.
His elevation came at the expense of Ronnie Skelton, who previously held the position. Critics accused Walwyn of betrayal, but he defended the process as democratic.
“If you betray somebody, then it means that in order to betray them, you must have been loyal to them before. My loyalty is to the country, not to an individual,” he said.
Walwyn cited an example in 2018, when then Opposition Leader Andrew Fahie was replaced by Skelton shortly before the general election. He noted that the change drew little public outcry.
“Two months before the election, I watched [Fahie] get up and walk from his opposition seat and went to the tail end,” Walwyn recalled. “Honourable Skelton came to the top, without any notice at all, because there’s no notice required.”
Walwyn suggested that the backlash over his appointment was harsher because of the individuals involved. “There’s never any notice given to any opposition leader that you’re going to be removed; the governor, I believe, would have given a call right after he signed the instrument,” he asserted.
Walwyn, who served as Minister of Education and Culture between 2011 and 2019, returned to frontline politics in 2023 as Sixth District Representative. He has argued that political loyalties should never outweigh service to the people.
“Part of the problem with our democracy is that we have loyalty to parties and not loyalty to the country. We have to get away from that,” Walwyn stated.
The Opposition Leader pledged to continue pressing for accountability in government while calling for a political culture that values principle over convenience.
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We sick of hearing this desperate man trying his best to get power we do not want no island man running our country get it in your red eyes
Myron is right. We have selective outrage on everything in the BVI. If we are friends or family with someone we support them. If somebody else does the same thing we all of a sudden become outraged. Ronnie replaced Andrew as Opposition leader without notice. Now that he got replaced it’s a problem crying betrayal. How could someone on a different party from you betray you? What nonsense. I keep noticing that skelton has a bad mind.
This democracy is a motorless, sailless vessel in strong winds and waves heading towards the rocks and eventually bottom of the political spectrum it appears soon.
Hence, from mere observation,the time has arrived for astute, intellectual and polotically capable leadership.
Many has agreed through comments that there is one personality. that fits those requisite demands fully.
More, the public/country would be better served by minds who place the people and country first.
Therefore, let’s begin the call for the reunification,where possible, of the original NDP team. With those minds, the ship should beging to grow a rudder and compass again.
TheVirgin Islands people deserve better than they are getting and have at the moment. More, every singledistrict, some more than others, need a complete break with the past political oligarchs.
New leadership and neww political paradighms and minds are desperately needed.
@New Leadership Needed
In a democracy ALL taxpayers usually get to vote.In Tortola the majority of taxpayers do not get to vote. Draw your own conclusions.
Myron you’ve lost before and you could well lose again
The level of awareness is evidently too low for meaningful progress to be achieved in this country.The blogs says it all.
The fact that he referred to bring opposition leader as “getting to the top” shows where his mind is. Titles and power hungry grab to the top!
Oh and Fahie n Skelton are indigenous cousins so no outrage. You from Antigua so yes outrage! Also you are a closeted sn**e in the grass and confusion follows you. Outrage!
Is that more news he is carrying to the governor?
Who is a better example than him and the media house blogging on every story related to him? The two guys that form the Alliance with him were once his biggest critics, what has changed? Some things are better left unsaid.
pale man from the Nothern Isles need to stop interferring in people’s business and masquarading as a local commenting.
Carry on, but some see yah.
HEY JUDGE WIGGIE YOU USED THE RIGHT WORD ( ANNOYING ) LOOK IN YHE MIRROR NOW ALL YOH DO IS SPEW OUT YOUR TRUMP MENTALITY ON WALWYN ON YOUR NEWS SITE AND NOW YOU DOING THE SAME THING ON THIS SITE ALSO / BY BLOGGING THE SAME BROKEN RECORD SH*T / SO KEEP YOUR EVILNESS FOR YOURSELF / WE ARE DEALING WITH WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE AND AND THE COUNTRY . SO WASH YOUR WIG AND YOUR DIRTY MIND ( YOUR DAD WAD AN ANTIGUAN ) SEEMS LIKE YOU STILL SUFFERING FROM ” SELECTIVE AMNESIA .
Definitely in a cultural wilderness right now as we push and push for Independence