Gov’t deliberately excluding Opposition district reps?
Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn said he does not like the lack of collaboration that the Dr Natalio Wheatley administration shows when addressing issues in districts represented by Opposition legislators.
Penn said he finds the behaviour unproductive as all 13 members were elected to serve and must collaborate to do so effectively.
He said he has noticed that this issue is creeping up in the current VIP administration, adding that he will be raising this particular issue in the House of Assembly soon.
“I personally have no issue with any of the members (elected leaders). All of us get along, we’re friendly. But I find that we politicise too many of the things that are necessary to do for the people of our country. I find that when things are needed to be done — particularly in districts where you have non-government representatives — we sort of push the representative to the side and try to undermine and go around them to get some of these things done,” Penn explained in a recent interview with 284 Media.
He continued: “I think that’s unproductive and it’s one of those things that’s creeping up in this administration that I’m going to speak about in the House of Assembly. We need to nip it in the bud, the election is over. The people elected 13 members to represent their interest and all of us must work collaboratively for the best interest of everyone. Whether I’m part of the government or Opposition, you need to respect me in my position.”
In recent times, there has been much tension between the seven-member coalition government and six-member Opposition of the House of Assembly. The problem surfaced immediately after the April election, where Opposition members vowed to be aggressive in getting action and answers from the Wheatley administration.
Since then, the Opposition has been asking many questions of the government and has accused them of using statements to avoid direct answers that the Opposition and residents need. They’ve also accused the administration of running the House of Assembly in their own interest, organising sittings around the schedules of government members who have been taking a number of international trips to represent the territory.
To lodge their dissatisfaction, the Opposition recently walked out of the House of Assembly after the government pushed back the question-and-answer segment and proceeded with tabling several statements that addressed the questions the Opposition wanted to ask.
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Pure BS he knows that is not true Smurf is wi**ed but the good thing is he will never be premier it’s above his head
That is why the bvi will continue to go downhill . You can be related and honest . The premier lives next doorbto East End and look at the deplorable infrastructure of our communities . Do not take these things personal.
The rep is correct let us do the right course of action for everyone. Premiet you can do better
I am awaiting the backlash from my Comment. Say what you want if the UK don’t step in and take over this Territory for a while, This Territory will continue to go to the Dogs JUST because of Politics. Marlon is correct with what He is saying. Politics is killing this territory. Every other Country in the Caribbean is moving forward. St. Kitts, Anguilla, USVI, Barbados and on and on. Where are we going? The BVI is cursed!!! I would not suggest taking nothing to the HOA. Take it to the Governor let him forward to the UK. The sad thing is, it’s not the District Reps they are affecting. It’s the people. Whether they do for the East or not, the people will still vote for Marlon. It is just wilfulness of any Government to behave like this. What legacy can a Premier like this leave behind? The BVI was cursed from April, 2019. It will only get worst. I have said it….
Well actually, once the things are getting done, and your district being improved, then you shouldn’t care. But the reason it is a problem for you is because you need to be able to claim some credit for the things being done, so you can be elected again. So you are indirectly politicizing the issue yourself. Whether right or wrong.
Smurf just shut up shut shut up. You are no better. You are just what you speak ill of others. You just a troublemaker.
U have to some VIP that in office to reply so dumb the place hurt the primer need to at least give the district representative what they need to move forward. U have to be happy driving around in GV vehicles tx payer have to pay for the gas and u getting pay good for doing nothing. Have a f**king heart of the country Marlon right
And UK is consistently ignoring all of you and the people’s interest.
Contrast this: UK allocates 1 million plus to prison, then appoints a UK overseer…
None of you siad piss about that gross colonial doubling dipping. Like sheep you remain silent. Bunch ah useless powerless clowns..
None ofyou are ready for priwme time lead the country politics.
This moo moo needs to go sit down he has become useless