Governor denies tampering with BVI’s democracy
In the face of accusations that he is tampering with democracy in the Virgin Islands, Governor John Rankin has suggested that his hand was forced in seeking additional powers for his office from the United Kingdom (UK) to help implement the Commission of Inquiry (COI) good governance recommendations.
The governor said his request was necessary because there has not been sufficient drive and determination across the various ministries and departments to deliver on the agreed-upon COI deadlines.
However, the government pushed back on this assertion and accused the governor of overreaching and encroaching on the powers that have traditionally been held by elected officials in the territory.
One lawmaker even suggested that the governor may force same-sex marriage laws on the territory with the new powers that he is seeking.
“I’m aware that the additional powers proposal is a strong proposal to make, but I think there’s been some, perhaps incorrect representation of precisely what it is I have suggested,” Governor Rankin told ZBVI.
Rankin also suggested that some of the concerns shared by lawmakers were ridiculous.
“Some people have suggested that the proposed additional powers are, somehow or another, a takeover of the democratic system. That’s not true. I’ve even seen a suggestion that the additional powers are designed to force through same-sex marriage in the territory,” Governor Rankin said.
He continued: “Well, actually, what I proposed additional powers for is for Commission of Inquiry implementation. And whatever your views on same-sex marriage may be, that’s not one of the Commission of Inquiry recommendations. So those people that have suggested that are way off beat in terms of what’s being proposed.”
Rankin said the proposal to seek additional powers was not made to accomplish anything that the government has not already promised, yet failed to deliver.
Concerning additional powers for the introduction of legislation, the governor said he did not suggest that the House of Assembly should not pass legislation into law and argued that his move would help overcome blockages in getting legislation to the House where bills can then be debated and considered by lawmakers.
He reminded persons that the COI found evidence of poor governance, misuse of public funds, assistance grants being misused in their distribution, lawmakers not registering their interests, and over two-thirds of all major contracts not being openly tendered.
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Anyone who engages in partial or full suspension of any country’s constitution is engaging in dictatorship, colonialism, and no respect for democracy. It is as simple as that.
Let’s not forget that it was our own government corruption that brought us to this point today. Let’s not deflect and get on with the COI’s recommendations like we should. It’s in the best interest of every taxpayer to want these laws in place to prevent further corruption from taking place!
You can say whatever you want… but this sounds very reasonable to me.
On the other hand… cry baby Natalie has been making irrelevant comments while making zero progress ever since he came into office.
I am very much in favour of the island governing itself. But not as long as muppets such as Natalio and his friends keep driving the territory of a cliff.
This is what should have been done from the beginning. Our local elected governments have ZERO interests in good governance. It is so sad that the UK has to step in and do what is in the best interest of the the people of the virgin Islands while both the government and opposition busy trying to do only for themselves in my opinion.
Of course the governor tampers with our democracy; when last I checked our representatives swear allegiance to the King before the people that they are supposed to serve but any in event do not as they are mostly concerned with their own benefit. This is a no win scenario for the people. s!0w W@nde and the A$$ C!0wn Brigade (which includes Ronnie, Marlon Parthead Mitch Walwin and Mather) all one cabal.
The public needs to watch out for fake news from the government and opposition, and the BVI media that is for sale (they all will lie on their mother for money) and has been broken for some time now … all of dem does lie and mislead
What about the cannabis bill 2020 All local representatives democratically voted for, discussed, got public input and passed, awaiting your governor’s assent?
He can deny it all he wants. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it is a duck. Just like how they trying to deny slavery.
No the Governor is the liar.