COI recommendations turning VI backwards — Skelton
Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton expressed concern that the changes recommended following the Commission of Inquiry (COI) are regressive, taking the territory backwards rather than forward.
Speaking in the House of Assembly recently while debating the Immigration Bill, Skelton raised several issues with the proposed changes, highlighting potential negative impacts on the territory.
Skelton criticised the provision that allows the Immigration Appeal Board to overturn decisions made by the Cabinet, pointing out the unusual authority granted to the board. “This is the first country or the only country I see where a board can overturn, has the ability or the rights to overturn the decisions of a Cabinet,” he stated.
The Opposition Leader questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the composition of boards, describing the structure as “pre-historic” and expressing dismay at the reversion to an outdated structure for appointing board members. He questioned the logic behind requiring seven members to form a quorum when only seven to eleven members are appointed. “How will they ever in this life get a quorum? It makes no sense,” he argued.
Skelton acknowledged some positive aspects of the Immigration Bill as well, such as providing status for children born in the BVI to non-resident parents. However, he criticised the legislation’s lack of clarity and transparency, especially about the rights of such children to obtain citizenship and travel documentation.
The new bill proposes that children reaching 18 years old can become residents, but it falls short of granting full Belonger status, which would allow them to obtain a British passport. Skelton stressed the importance of this, saying, “You can’t go any place in this world today without a passport.”
Skelton also shared concern about the potential impact of the COI recommendations on the BVI’s future. He accused external forces of attempting to exert control over the territory and emphasised the need for the BVI to resist such influences. He urged lawmakers to recognise the detrimental impact these changes could have on the territory, suggesting that the new laws were more about control than improvement.
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We need some smarter politicians than what the VIP has to offer to change the current laws to counter this
It’s the VIP got us going backwards full speed
Backward opinion.
ronnie this politics thing aint for you, you’re a damn good business man but as a politician you’ve been out played time and again
Remember your former party VIP premier AKA Head Coach has been arrested and convicted for DRUG CRIMES? WHO IS TURNING THE VI BACKWARDS?!
Please please please remove yourself from politics..
BVI is simply declining. Nothing to do with the CoI recommendations.
if COI recommendations bringing transparency by elected officials and making it harder for yall to touch up the tax dollars then i think its going forward not backwards tf?
Ronnie, it sounds like you think we were better off with the corruption, unsolved murders and drug runnings prior to the COI.
I’m not saying that some of these aren’t still ongoing, but geez Ronnie, you’re not thinking straight at all. I’m disappointed in you big time!
ADolphus, you are neither seeing nor knowing. You are one of thsoe that if woken up one day and find yourself in chains and oppressed will say, “thank you masser, glad you come free us from our own.”
Ronnie for some reason wants to be able to go through customs and immigratuin without being searched. What could that mean. These guys always hidinf something. Thats what taking us forever backward.
Ronnie and Friends misappropriating funds for years they have the country in this state and blaming coi come on yall think ppl of the bvi stupid
this nothing to do with COI all they did is to high light the wrongs that being going on for years, we didn’t police ourself , there is no full deplomatic immunity for politicion, So somebody has a job of policing we
Flintstone needs new glasses and gravel out of his head. There was a time,he appeared hopeful. Petty and peevish.
Have known the gentle since we were young boys, before there was a high way or even an official FSC.
He is a true patriot, an authentic warrior for country and people, and a gentle man who will help when help is needed.
Within hours of walking in to his office, broke, no savings and a dying child, my child was on his way to Miami’s Children Hospital via Air Ambulance.
There we were informed, after stabilizing him, that
had we not gotten there when we did, he had no more than one to two days left on earth.
The quick thinking and actions of a dedicated parent and the angel sitting in the right office, with the right heart, at the right time, saved a child’s life, who is agrown young man today.
We are forever indepted to you Sir. We apprreciate you imensely and forever. You probably pass the young man in the HOA and is unaware that that is the young man life you, God and doctors directly saved.
The Hon R. Skelton, At L, Leader of Opposition is on point several issues. The policy goes sideways if it permits a Board to trump the decision of Cabinet. The Board advice is advisory only and cannot supersede Cabinet’s decision making. As the Hon Skelton noted the VI would be the only country in the world where a board supersedes elected officials. It does not happen in election. Voters vote people into and out of the HoA., In regards to the CoI, one of unelected, handpicked commissioner should not direct changes for a country without any analysis if the changes are in the longterm best interest of the country. What is occuring with the CoI is undemocratic.
Ronnie, you wanted the COI, and now you’re complaining! Y’all VERY ANNOYING!