Historic House sitting is nothing shameful — Premier
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley opted for the proverbial rose-tinted glasses as he assessed yesterday’s sitting of the House of Assembly (HOA), calling the abnormal legislative gathering an historic event.
The unprecedented recall of the House, mere days before the general elections, summoned lawmakers to validate the immigration status of some 688 Belongers whose legitimacy, according to Governor John Rankin, may likely have been called into question; raising doubts over the validity of the results of next week’s polls.
But even as the occasion was met with some derision by other lawmakers — several of whom pounced on the opportunity to score political points against the Premier’s incumbent Virgin Islands Party (VIP) — Dr Wheatley chose to celebrate the moment.
“This was of course history,” Premier Wheatley said. “I don’t think there’s anything for the people of the Virgin Islands to be ashamed about.”
He continued: “When you have challenges, you seek to address challenges, and that takes courage. It was indeed a historic sitting and persons in the room can say that of course, they were a part of that and there will be some institutional memory there.”
He further pointed out that the United Kingdom’s parliament was recalled some 34 times and suggested the occasion should not be seen as anything strange for those in attendance.
In the end, legislators passed the Immigration and Passport (Validation) Bill, 2023, unopposed, with all eight members present at the time securing the place of those nearly 700 persons that had been jeopardised as a result of the oversight.
Premier Wheatley expressed gratitude to the various actors that played a role in bringing the Bill to the House, including the Speaker, HOA members, and the Attorney General’s Chambers, among others.
The Premier described the sitting as a crucial step in protecting the BVI’s democracy and for ensuring that there are free and fair elections.
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It is shameful because the VIP Government used it as an opportunity to slander and accuse the other members of things they are not guilty of. And the Speaker should not have allowed them to use the House as a platform to push their political campaign. AT ALL. The members were called to the House to fix YOUR MISTAKE. AGAIN! Same way the unity government was formed to fix YOUR MISTAKES. Yet, instead of saying thank you, you try to paint a false picture of the other members who are affiliated with other parties and accuse them of not caring for the people. They have done MUCH MORE FOR THE PEOPLE WITHOUT HAVING TO CHARGE THEM ANY FEES, FAST TRACK OR OTHERWISE. So still it is not about you caring for the people. The desperation is shameful and pathetic. Fast track was about clearing the backlog they say yet those who were not able to afford the fast track money are still faithfully waiting in line. It was always about the money with that shameful VIP government.
This actually fixed a NDP mistake that created ridiculous backlog. Get your facts together.
Everybody knows the former AG was a clown – here we see his work at first hand! Unfortunately there are plenty of others – like the opinion that a BVI company cannot own shares in a gambling company – complete nonsense but what the Governor ordered.
What a waste you couldn’t represent any other people in this territory. The at large arena didn’t want you. So it is to wait and see what Long Look will do this time because they gave you a chance.
You full well know the Governor asked you to bring these reports forth ever since you took over as Premier and you refused. When the council dissolved you thought you had passed it until they threatened you with Direct Rule this weekend. Boy, you are just as bad as Fahie or worst. How you all does sleep at night knowing what you all have done to this country?
The resurrected HOA has just begun the process of making a select group of BVI constitutional lawyers very wealthy. Next week some of the 28 or 29 losers on polling day will hire these lawyers to challenge the results of the election in the High Court. Court documents will be filed, injunctions handed down and the whole purpose of this ‘reconvened’ HOA will be thwarted. Good job!!
Please inform us what challenges will those who may be dissatisfied with their results bring?
Also, have you read the laws and amendments?
What they meant for evil, please God use it for good …
This whole matter does not make sense and seems politically motivated. Let’s say the former AG advised against it and Fahie went ahead ignoring the advice. Well, why didn’t the then Governor intervene and flagged it then and both of them register the concern in Cabinet on the record from 2019-2020. Also, the Governor should have refused to sign the documents to give status. None of this was done because the advice from the AG allowed the process to occur & the then Governor agreed. Also, immigration was not a subject under the former Premier, so he is conveniently being blamed for political reasons. The issue is the failure of the system over the years to deal with these outstanding matters and not Fahie nor any politician. It was a good thing that was done. Too many political games with the lives of the people.
Will someone rid us of these pestilent Wheatleys. All of them.
Lets hope the voters do.
For he everything is just a little mistake no big deal
A big poppy show! Is supposed to be mature but yet acting like a four year old. Does not hesitate to create some make believe narratives either along with his deputy- K Rymer. They’re so disingenuous when it comes to explaining the government’s business that it is pathetic. It’s like both of them have lard on their tongue. What a pity.
Those status will still be challenged and questioned and should be so challenged in a court of law.
It isn’t shameful but you are!
Nothing but love and appreciation for my premier! The people in the East is fortunate to have one of their own as our national leader!
It’s a new day in the VI and this is a new VIP with the young Wheatley as our leader!
Like mother, like child, mother recalled 34 times, now child recall first time.