Fraser was shadow orchestrator of new cross-party gov’t
Senior legislator in the House of Assembly, Julian Fraser has suggested he was the shadow orchestrator behind the proposal for the cross-partisan National Unity Government and the recent ‘no UK direct rule’ protest.
Speaking to BVI News, Fraser said he and Dr Wheatley, along with Opposition Leader Marlon Penn and Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull, had a meeting on Sunday where he offered up the proposal of a unified government.
“I offered to him an all-party government. I went ahead and explained to him what the all-party government is supposed to be and how it is supposed to work. When we offered it to him, he said he liked the idea, but he would have to take it back to his people,” Fraser said.
“He went ahead and came back in the evening, told us that they did not accept it and they were furious about it. Of course, somebody had to lose their job for us to get those positions that he has; the sitting government that he has,” the Senior legislator added.
Fraser said he explained to Dr Wheatley that he and the now-dismantled Virgin Islands Party administration can say what they please but based on the Commission of Inquiry Report and based on what the representative of the UK came to do, this was the most feasible option.
“You have nothing, the only thing you can do right now is to give them the best offer possible and I think for them the best offer possible is a unified House of Assembly dedicated to working together in the best interests of getting those recommendations implemented and out of the way,” he said.
“They did not buy it. So, he went down there and gave them his and we presented ours. When we started explaining what our proposal is, this all-party government, they – that is the Overseas Territories Minister [Amanda Milling] and the Governor – started expressing interest through their body language and the questions they were asking and I noticed that since then, that was Monday, the Acting Premier and the other two members of the other parties of the house, they came around,” Fraser told the House of Assembly on Thursday, May 5.
Credit to Dr Wheatley
The senior legislator also gave credit to Dr Wheatley for what he described as having the courage to make the sacrifices he made in shedding some ministers and proposing the Opposition take over those ministries.
“The important thing is I have no choice and they have no choice but to work together. The last thing they want me to do is being out there saying things that are contrary to what they promised. Bear in mind, with all this we are saying and all they are doing, we have no agreements. No guarantee this will happen,”. Fraser said.
He maintained the unified House of Assembly proposal was the best option available and he was happy it was presented. He reiterated that Dr Wheatley has gone to great lengths to make a tremendous sacrifice.
“He has lost friends already, he had to sack two ministers, so to speak, and he is up there now doing this to the Premier. He has lost friends,” Fraser added.
Dr Wheatley sworn in as Premier! New cross-party gov’t also installed
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FRASER IS THE MAN!
I don’t know if he is the man because there are some shady things in his time in Government. But I do think he is a smart politician. And this was a boss move……will it work time will tell.
There are some shady things in your life too.
I agree, but I am not in the public person.
Thank you for that suggestion Mr.Fraser
Cannot make a good omelette with bad, rotten eggs….
This man wants to set himself up to be our Fredrick Douglas looking orator and elder statesman so we don’t look too close. There is a specific COI recommendation to investigate his project: nothing but string pulling.
Based on what Mr. Fraser said, its obvious that those people didn’t want to work together. They only did it because some were offered big positions and they feel the UK will decide not to impose direct rule. But let’s wait and see what the UK will do.
You is a dignified statesman who help brought this country out of the dark ages so we will reward you again sir. A true representative that gets the job done. ALWAYS DELIVERING THE GOODS
..more like.
Wait, wah you telling me? Is Fraser trying to take credit for the formation of the new government as well as the recent protest? What a brilliant strategist he is mayson.
First you said when “you” offered the new government concept to him…. Two minutes later it was only when “WE” explained it to them that they showed interest. Which is it, your idea or the collective party’s thinking?
Based on your years of grabbing for power I think it was your idea to get rid of your colleagues thereby giving you SOLE control and a singular voice of your party. So now you’re no longer subservient to the party’s leader, Mr.Penn.
Looking back, what have you realky created or instituted for us the bvi outside of maybe a paved road or sidewalk in “your” own district?
I say, let the coi proposed investigations proceed and the chips fall as they may….
Oh boy, what an ego. He couldn’t wait to put that on the record. A leopard cannot change its spots. Anyway, let’s move on to the bigger picture.
He will say anything not to look like an outcast and a reject.
If this is true, it’s the best thing he has done in his political career. Let us give Jack his jacket….