Governor may have to select next Premier, Dr Wheatley warns
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has sounded a stern warning as voters take to the polls today, pleading that they should dismiss the concept of a coalition government since it is fraught with all manner of pitfalls.
Premier Wheatley, in prefacing that warning, noted that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) is the only team with a full slate of candidates. He said other parties’ only pathway to a government is through having their entire At-Large slate elected or through the formation of a coalition government with another party.
“They know that none of them can win on their own. So, they have promoted this whole concept and idea of a coalition. Dr [Karl] Dawson called it ‘the bag of Skittles Approach’. That’s the only way that they have a pathway, and they have whispered in your ear and some of you have accepted that. But why would you vote for an experiment?” Premier asked.
Who will lead?
According to Dr Wheatley, even though the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), led by Ronnie Skelton, endorsed Progressives United (PU) candidate, Julian Fraser, and vice versa, there has been no consensus on who would be the leader of the territory if they are to form a coalition government.
He shared that, during a recent party chairman’s debate, both leaders expressed certainty of becoming the territory’s next leader. “[Ronnie] Skelton said, ‘When I’m the Premier, this is what I’ll do’. Julian Fraser said, ‘When I’m the premier, this is what I’ll do’. Well, which one ayo going to be premier, buddy? You didn’t work that out before the endorsement?” said Dr Wheatley.
The National Democratic Party (NDP) has similarly endorsed Seventh District independent candidate, Perline Scatliffe-Leonard, who is campaigning to replace Dr Wheatley as District Representative.
Premier Wheatley further warned that a big leadership fight will be the first hurdle for any coalition government to cross once elected into office.
Governor’s memo
The territory’s leader said he was reminded just recently by the Governor’s Office about the procedure in appointing a premier in instances where a unanimous leader has not been selected.
“The Governor’s Office sent me a memo last week reminding me what the constitution says about forming a new government,” Dr Wheatley explained. “The party with a majority forms the new government — the one who can command a majority in the House of Assembly.”
He added: “The constitution also says, if the members who are elected cannot agree on who’s the leader, do you know what happens then? The governor selects the leader. Look in the Constitution… Do you want the governor selecting your leader?”
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The good news is that its very unlikely he will be selecting you.
shhh sowande, ur time has come. the jig is up 🙂
Stop tell lie, the governor has no role in who becomes Premier. It has always been and remains the leader is whoever gets the confidence the majority of those elected.
Hoping the Guv will select the next Premier for the BVI. It’s possible with the Guv’s handpicked Premier the UK might just remove the standing Order in Council hanging over the BVI since this time last year.
Friday is one year since the ex-Premier was arrested removing one VIP member from the HOA. Maybe this week all the other VIP members will be sent home forever.
Is he nervous. He has been picking and fretting for most of his campaign. I hope the next premier is not him.
VIP will win easily due to the splitting of votes. Remember this post once the results are in!
It is NOT a lie! This is the problem with too many of our people, we don’t know s**t and just like to talk s**t. If there is a situation where the winning team cannot decide who will be the Premier then the Governor will be the one who chooses. What Wheatley is saying is that with all these so called alliances and power struggles, there’s a possibility that this may occur as they all want to be Premier.
The Guv selecting the Premier does not bode well for the VI. That means they will pick someone that will be a lap dog doing everything they tell them to do. They will choose someone easy to manipulate. That does not leave the decision in the voter’s hands at all. My family did not fight for their freedom to have the UK come here and tell us who would run our internal business. The UK’s position here already creates a separation in government. We don’t need more separation. The know a divided country will fall right into their hands.
Not if they cannot agree. Then the governor determines.
You lie, read to understand. This is election day are you going in a new government posting nonsense liar. First order of business is to find out those persons who want to post but don’t have the educational capacity to comprehend and give them a free night up bolo. So king liar get a one mark shopping bag and pack a few things. We coming for you.
Is there a Case some where in the world that such happened.? Or is he trying to put one on us,like how Fahie and Frazer were fighting for leader of the Opposition, knowing he and others went to the Governor, to get Mr Fahie sworn in as Opposition leader.
Best comments I have read today.
He will not be picking you I suppose if that happens so I understand the concern.
I think the Governor might have better taste in lap dogs than head coach.
The Governor’s job is to GOVERN the BVI. Especially when the 13 elected politician’s cannot agree on who is to be the leader of the HOA. If you are not happy with that then move to a former UK colony and enjoy the rest of your life there earning worthless EC currency.
Sure sounds good to me. It will be YOUR fault.
Your a big liar stop hiding the things you do in secret wow you need to really stop ? you don’t need to be premier as I say your a big liar and fake to as well exprimer. May God continue help you tell the truth
At the very least the East Caribbean have their own money and it has been pegged to the USD from 1976 to the present. $1 ECD=0.37 US
XCD JMD
EC$ 1 J$ 56.99
EC$ 5 J$ 284.97
EC$ 10 J$ 569.94
EC$ 50 J$ 2,849.72
EC$ 100 J$ 5,699.45
EC$ 250 J$ 14,248.62
EC$ 500 J$ 28,497.23
EC$ 1,000 J$ 56,994.47
EC$ 5,000 J$ 284,972.34
EC$ 10,000 J$ 569,944.68
EC$ 50,000 J$ 2,849,723.40
EC$ 100,000 J$ 5,699,446.79
EC$ 500,000 J$ 28,497,233.97
EC$ 1,000,000 J$ 56,994,467.95
Last Updated
4/25/2023 6:16:55 PM