BVI public getting what they voted for, says Penn
Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn said the public should note that elections have consequences, adding that the government’s lack of accountability and transparency is a result of voters’ choices.
The Opposition members have accused the Dr Natalio Wheatley administration of not being transparent with many of the decisions they’ve made since taking office in April 2023.
One of the government’s decisions that has recently been criticised by the Opposition is the Premier’s decision to move the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs (VIF&F) Committee to the BVI Tourist Board.
At a press conference earlier this week, Penn reiterated that the Premier is not following the legal channels to make the move, despite the power to do so. And the D8 representative said this behaviour is a consequence of the public’s action last April.
“Elections have consequences. I continue to say this. We continue to see the consequences of our actions by electing this government. He (Premier) has the authority to do things the right way. He has the majority so he can come to the House and make the change. But that’s the consequence of an election,” Penn said.
Penn also said in his opinion, the Premier prefers to side-step the proper legal channels to move the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee, because it allows him to quickly accomplish his goal of hosting parties.
“He seems to like these parties. We had a $250,000 one for a plane that came here, we now have a Music Fest coming up — another big party. He seems to push them through the Tourist Board because he gets these parties done quicker. He doesn’t have to account to anyone in terms of central government and all the processes, so he sends the money over to the Tourist Board and keeps his parties,” Penn criticised.
Penn added that he will be asking additional questions about the issue when the House of Assembly resumes its sitting in the coming days.
Premier Wheatley has denied Penn’s claim that the proper legal channels aren’t being followed in transferring the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee to the Tourist Board.
The leader also said he intends to formalise the transfer by moving it through the House of Assembly expeditiously.
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The results of the past election was not what many of the voters intended. If you would remember there was the part where there was a decision needed to be made by the elected officials(including you Mr. Penn). Rumor has it that you were power hungry and the result if what we have now.
The Voters are left with little to no trust worthy politicians to choose from. You all have your agenda you want to push which is not for the peoples best interest.
So please don’t pass the blame to the “voters” for all your short comings.
Exactly! His statement is comparable to saying that a rape victim is responsible for the rapist’s decision.
It is true that we are getting what we voted for. There is no denying that. Let’s face it. The people made the decision.
7th district only made that decision
7 district was allegedly bought and that is where corruption starts.
Hon. Penn is absolutely correct with his statement. Despite all associated with the former premier and the scandal our country was left in the VIP won 6 seats.
Now you tell me if we didn’t get what we voted for!? We have take responsibility for our vote. What is happening now is a consequence of that vote and we have to live with it for the next 3 years unfortunately.
allegedly bought districts were 4, 7, and 9. until people realise they are worth more than a week pay this will continue to happen.
Elections have consequences…..the electorate in the BVI is shameful
BLAME LORNA
….PANTIES AND PARTYS
NDP and PVIM had the opportunity to change. But ego and infighting got the best of them and now we are stuck with an awful government full of criminals as the COI has shown us.
That’s the problem. Marlon is talking s**t. The issue is NOT the voters, the issue is the continued split with NDP and PVIM acting like they do not have damn common sense. There is no way they could beat the VIP being fractured or waiting until after to try ‘forming’ something, it’s just downright DUMB. It didn’t work in 2019 so how the hell would it work in 2023? Blame Mitch and Ronnie for all the mess that has started from 2019 because without their nonsense forming PVIM the NDP would’ve been elected in 2019. Furthermore, once Ronnie retires after this trip there will be no more PVIM as neither Mitch nor Mather are leaders so let us see what will happen. Will they join the green machine?
TRUTH!!!!!!!
Perfectly stated. I hope they are listening. Because with this set up VIP will always come out on top. We are in such a sad state thanks to all our politicians collectively.
1. A large portion of long term residents have no vote. This allows the continual cronyism and vote buying to continue as the electorate is tiny v population.
2. The majority of politicians are in it for themselves, becoming rich after serving in the House due to … well who can say!
3. The choices at the poll were same old, no one on the ballot was going to make any change to the status quo.
A large percentage of every population has no vote EVERYWHERE.
I dont understand where this push for unilateral right in a country came from, but am pretty sure thats not how it works in your home country, or any country for that matter
Become a citizen, then go vote! OR campaign for and financially support community leaders who you think can make a change!
You missed the words “long term”.
In the US you can become a citizen after five years. If everyone who had lived legally in the BVI for five years could vote, the electorate would be much larger.
Thats not a good faith comparison. Bvi isn’t even the size of a US town, that is not feasible.
How well will it work for the VIP,nowthat their strategist has passed on. Remember he was the one doing all the CLEAN and the DIRTY WORKS all the time. Now they can’t groom anyone to fill that role for it would take so much of their time to learn the trade of JUDAS so most of the time would have to be spent trying the CURSES off .
That is why they are trying to get all this money. Remember Andrew was not able to pay the NIGERIAN for their last set of works on behalf of the party. More when I put my hands on the phone again.
Really Smurf? How concerned can he be when his name comes up over and over again and he definitely is in bed with known mo**y l***ders? How concerned can he be?
Go sit down . Stop talking piddle fishing for slanderous fabrication
Like he would be any better. All of them is the same .
Shaming the public is not an approach that worked for your elder NDP colleagues Marlon. You had a chance to win the election and you all fell asleep at the wheel, BLAME YOURSELVES for that.
You got that right!!! 100%. They voted for properity and progress and was and is being paid a bag of feces.
It’s shameful to blame the public for Luarna in the Corna. Whilst she has shown that she has no character, Mahlon you are showing that you also have none either.
Here we have daddy portraying an image of holiness / humbleness, I hope he is bmnot going to go down on his knees like saint Andrew
Wheatley and co will get another 4 years in 2027: just wait and see. These opposition members are simple opportunists.
We made the change now we have to blame the lady from the corner that didn’t stay in her corner ! She crossed the border!self 1st corner lady pull one on we !
No this is not the government we voted for , this is the government we got landed with because of Delilah
We did get what we voted for. Delilah should not have been able to make such a difference. We knew her capabilities. She is the action man’s sister and he was her coach. We heard him on the podium many times asking for votes for the present Government. If we were paying attention we would have known this is just where we would end up. Let’s accept it and hope for the best.
did U look in the mirror first ?
The Activities of Politics are part of a larger System. People on the outside cannot see or comprehend how the Political Game is being played. All the Players who remain in Politics are willing to play the Dirty Games. The Game is not Nice But if you are lucky enough, you may get out alive. If after you have been elected and while you are in the Game, You decide “This is Not for Me”. “This is Not what I’ve bargain for” You might decide to Quit if you can or Die. Think about Past Politicians. Those you got out and stayed alive and those who are dead and How they Died…Makes you go Hmmmm. Most of the Players who relish in getting elected cycle after cycle, Most of them are Evil Minded. I can name some of them But if anyone is smart enough You know THEM. The COI exposed some of Them. Politics of itself is not a Dirty Word. The Activities of the Players in Politics is what makes it a Dirty Game. Spend some time and Research Politics..
Marl@n answer yet if he going give back the greedy bill money
The 8 District elected you. What’s the difference?
They are all the same. It dont matter who in politicians are politicians. He was in already he must have forgotten
No one is perfect but There were definitely more sensible ones before this set.
You’re mistaken, Marlon. The NDP held office for several years, and it’s undeniable that their loss in the last but one election was influenced by protest votes. The challenges faced by NDP were compounded by external factors such as the hurricane, which exacerbated existing woes. Additionally, the VIP party experienced significant setbacks due to factors like the departure of Ralph O’neal from the political landscape and the challenges of managing hurricane recovery efforts, compounded by the impact of COVID-19 and the commission of inquiries, crises which are unprecedented in BVI History. It’s important to acknowledge that Natalio Wheatley, being relatively new to BVI politics, faced an unprecedented series of crises. However, the relentless pressure exerted by NDP since the beginning of this administration seems more like political witch-hunting than genuine concern for the country’s future. While there have been missteps on the part of VIP due to their inexperience, NDP should have focused on constructive engagement and offering solutions to governance challenges. Demonstrating competence in governance would have been more effective in winning support in the next election.
It’s evident that NDP is currently battling internal fractures, and it’s unlikely to regain momentum until these issues that saw them out of office are addressed. Opposition parties should not solely oppose government initiatives for the sake of it; instead, they should advocate for better alternatives through bipartisan dialogue. Unfortunately, our current political landscape is dominated by self-interest rather than a focus on nation-building. It’s crucial to shift our focus towards salvaging the country and promoting unity rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric. You might consider persisting with your current course of action, aiming to remove the current government from power through an early election. However, it’s essential to recognize that the NPD could face similar challenges if they were to assume power. It’s possible that they, too, could encounter obstacles and stumble, leading to significant consequences. My stance is open to correction, but it’s crucial to weigh the potential risks and uncertainties involved in political approach and decisions carefully
He does what he can from the opposition side. If he gets the funding he asks for on an annual basis lots can be done but getting the funds is a call for the minister of finance. He did as much as he could while he was in the Unity government for the months as minister of health.
BVI is shameful period. A bunch of cowards living in ignorance and darkness.
I agree with Penn 10,000%