‘Don’t take us for granted’, Speaker warns Governor Rankin
Amid claims by the government that former Governor Augustus Jaspert drew negative international attention to the BVI, Speaker of the House of Assembly Julian Willock has deposited an early warning to Governor John Rankin, urging him not to take Virgin Islanders for granted.
“You will find people that are resilient, hardworking, honest and independent and this must never be taken for granted,” Willock said at Governor Rankin’s Swearing-In Ceremony.
He also charged the newly appointed UK official with improving the relationship between the Governor’s Office and elected officials.
“Today with your swearing in, it should mark a turning point for improved relations between governors and the government of the day, between governors and the House of Assembly and between governors and the people of the Virgin Islands. We expect you to improve the relationship where there has been mistrust,” Willock said.
Relations between the Fahie administration and Governor Jaspert’s office soured in 2020 when COVID-19 hit the BVI. There were allegations that the two arms of government wrestled for power as they tried to determine who should lead the territory during the health crisis.
Thereafter, Governor Jaspert made a series of decisions without informing the government and withheld his assent to the Cannabis Licensing Bill and the Drug Amendment Bill on which the Fahie administration was depending to revive the COVID-hit economy.
Amid this backdrop, Willock told Governor Rankin that his assent is a “mere formality” adding that he expects the Cabinet to be given reasons whenever assent won’t be granted.
“As Speaker of the House of Assembly, it has always been my understanding that the issues of assenting to a bill passed by parliament is a mere formality as it has been for over a hundred years in the United Kingdom as well as other parliamentary democracies — notwithstanding Section 79(2) of the constitution. And in that case, you would have raised those matters within Cabinet where a bill must be agreed to first before it reaches the legislature,” Willock stated.
Immediately after these words, Willock welcomed Governor Rankin with “much humility, understanding and a renewed effort to have a partnership based on mutual respect, understanding and professionalism.”
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Why is it that this man like to be in things so? You are not an elected member. You are the speaker. Why are you dipping your mouth and nose in matters between the governor and the governor? Know your role and shut up. Stay in your lane.
This is only a taste of it.
I agree with you, the speaker is power hungry person who needs to be put in his place.
The man spoke well. You people just hate based on who’s talking as oppose to what they are saying. Political affiliation have this place in a mess.
Maybe you do not understand the role of the Speaker of the House.
Maybe the biggest c***k of all!
****-‘There is an old saying when you dig a grave for someone, dig one for yourself. It seems the UK Government and ‘Boris’ Johnson, who has said colonialism in Africa should never have ended and downplayed Britain’s role in the slave trade, may need to hear that.’
We support you Speaker!
Arrogance is rarely helpful Mr. Willock..
What the heck! … No chance of a respectful working relationship with the Governor with this man making a m***. Premier, you need to put a bridle on this man tongue! … ….
The Commisison of Inquiry need to look into the spending at the House of Assembly too. Some of the things that I have heard are unbelievable with this Speaker. Look into who get paid for these unnecessary legal opinions when advice was already given by the AG. You will find a lot more. Since the esteemed one wants to be in things then put him in things.
Also check out what he is driving and the cost
Range Rover at $85K or so. Nice ride.
I’m helping pay for a $85,000 ride and I riding around in a $12,000 dollar car. DUDE, TIME TO HAND ME OVER THE KEYS TO MY RANGE.
Can’t wait to see you go.
ALSO CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU GET TO STEPPING AND EXIT FRONT STAGE. OH, DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE THE KEYS TO MY RIDE THAT I PAID FOR AT THE SECURITY DESK. SECURITYYYYYYY??!!!!.
I’M LOVING IT. SECURITYYYYYY, PLEASE MAKE SURE THE KEYS TO MY CAR THAT I AM LENDING YOU AND PAYING FOR IS RETURNED. LMFAO, BUT TRUE.
One term or half a term for you.
When the Governor has the reserved responsibilities he has, assenting to legislation will not be a formality. The Governor’s role is significantly more extensive than that of the Queen in the UK, because the BVI is a British Overseas Territory, not an independent country. The constitutional frame work would need to be significantly altered to change that. It must be unlikely that will happen until after the CoI’s investigation has been completed, as to do otherwise would seem to risk adding powers to a Territory which is suspected of governance that is so poor it merits a CoI.
How long have you been here 6 months?
Governor Augustus Jaspert didn’t draw negative international attention to the BVI our government did that. Willock, it sounds like you are treating the new governor, the more you all talk the more all of you sound guilty.
All of you going down, I have never seen a government with so much disrespect for the UK and the Governor I don’t know who the h**l you think you are.
The relationship between the Governor’s Office and elected officials won’t be for long because most people in the BVI are sick of you guys.
You all don’t have any experience of the job and you tell too many l**s.
How could it be a turning point for improved relations between governors and the government of the day, between governors and the House of Assembly, first of all, your government don’t have any respect for the Governor or the UK we pray that this will end with the UK taking over until next election, You guys make the NDP look good.
I WANT THE UK TO TAKE OVER UNTILL NEXT ELECTION. AND I HOPE THEY DO. YOU ALL WANT INDEPENDENCE SO YOU CAN RUN THE COUNTRY LIKE A DICTATORSHIP AND NOT ANSWER FOR ANYTHING. WHEN YOU BECOME INDEPENDENT, THE BURDEN WILL FALL ON THE USVI.
YOU APPEARS TO BE MARKING YOUR TERRITORY ON A FIRE HYDRANT LIKE A MALE DOG WOULD DO, LIFT AND SPRAY. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE WARNING TO THE NEW GOVERNOR. YOU NEED TO STAY IN YOUR LANE AND STAY OUT OF THINGS THAT IS OF NO CONCERN OF YOUR OWN. WE THE PEOPLE DID NOT ELECTED YOU IN YOUR POSITION, YOUR BUDDY THE PREMIER HANDED THAT POSITION TO YOU. ASK ME, THE WRONG PERSON WAS GIVEN THAT POSITION.
Mr. Speaker, you were handed your position on a silver PLATTER BY YOUR BUDDY THE PREMIER. SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU ARE ISSUING A WARNING TO THE NEW GOVERNOR. FYI, THE NEW GOVERNOR IS NOT TO BE MESSED WITH.
This is what happen when you make a ex-c*****t the speaker of the house.
The new governor must not take BVIslanders for granted because you and Andrew are already doing a good job of that
These j**ka**** are speaking for the people (When I say j***a** Fahie is included)
Out here look like a French b**l d** please stop talking!
The speaker does not have on his WIG . He looks so s****d !!!
Jealously is a b***h our esteemed speaker will be there for the vip three teams
Too much hate in one place. How y’all sleep at nights. Hahaha.
The governor won’t take ayo mother s***t for granted he will set ayo straight
If y’all think this governor will sit back and take ayo s**t think again
What ayo miss from the previous governor ayo won’t miss it from this one
You guys are so antagonistic..and hostile towards people..that is not the tone u should use mr speaker..u guys need to learn manners and respect
It’s something thats critically lacking in the bvi
Wtf do u have to warn the commissioner..
Couldn’t u have simply held a discussion with him instead.
One of the best speakers in years and the speech was top rated