BVI News

‘Don’t take us for granted’, Speaker warns Governor Rankin

House of Assembly Speaker, Julian Willock

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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33 Comments

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  1. He sickening now says:

    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.

    Like 93
    Dislike 1
  2. Trevor says:

    Arrogance is rarely helpful Mr. Willock..

    Like 64
    Dislike 1
    • Problem says:

      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! … ….

  3. Esteemed f**l says:

    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.

    Like 58
    Dislike 2
  4. Long Chuppesssss says:

    Can’t wait to see you go.

    Like 33
    • WORD says:

      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??!!!!.

      Like 22
      • LMFAO says:

        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.

        Like 11
  5. Enjoy your Speakership While it lasts says:

    One term or half a term for you.

    Like 31
  6. Resident says:

    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.

    Like 23
  7. itstime says:

    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.

    Like 32
    • So hopefully says:

      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.

      Like 15
      Dislike 1
  8. WELL MR SPEAKER says:

    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.

    Like 24
    Dislike 1
    • YES says:

      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.

      Like 22
  9. **** bird says:

    This is what happen when you make a ex-c*****t the speaker of the house.

    Like 26
  10. sexy eyes says:

    The new governor must not take BVIslanders for granted because you and Andrew are already doing a good job of that

    Like 32
  11. The Scary Thing Is... says:

    These j**ka**** are speaking for the people (When I say j***a** Fahie is included)

  12. D**n F**l says:

    Out here look like a French b**l d** please stop talking!

  13. Hehe says:

    The speaker does not have on his WIG . He looks so s****d !!!

  14. Haters says:

    Too much hate in one place. How y’all sleep at nights. Hahaha.

  15. Jacka** w*****k says:

    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

  16. Hostile says:

    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.

  17. Facts says:

    One of the best speakers in years and the speech was top rated

    Like 1
    Dislike 1

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