BVI News

House expected to elect Speaker tomorrow, gov’t quiet about its pick

The first sitting and first session of House of Assembly is fewer than 24 hours away and the Fahie administration has kept virtually quiet about who it will pick to become the next Speaker of the House.

Though the Fahie administration remains tightlipped, unofficial reports to our news centre are that government’s picks for the post include media owner and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications & Works Julian Willock, former legislator Irene Penn-O’Neal, educator Barbara Stevens deFreitas, and former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Claude Skelton Cline.

While the reports are yet to be confirmed, insider sources say Willock is a favourite for the post.

The 13-member House is expected to elect its Speaker when the House convenes at the Multipurpose Sports Complex in Road Town on Tuesday — the first time since the February 25 General Election.

According to Section 69 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution: “When the House of Assembly first meets after any general election and before it proceeds to the despatch of any other business it shall elect a person to be the Speaker of the House.”

The consititution further says the Speaker shall be elected from among the elected members of the House of Assembly or from persons qualified to be elected members of the House, other than ministers.

“No person shall be elected as Speaker if he or she is a person disqualified for election as a member of the House by virtue of any provision of section 66(1) other than paragraph (f),” it further reads.

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21 Comments

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  1. Meh says:

    None of those names are particularly exciting. But we know the cronyism drill already.

    Like 13
    Dislike 3
  2. Yeah yeah says:

    Wow I support the esteemed 100percent

    Like 8
    Dislike 14
  3. Wasn’t He says:

    The Esteemed was fired from Government by the Governor, thought he would not qualify for such position. If he is I’m thinking he will be the best person….if not put Claude we don’t need him ( C—–) any where around the cookie jar.

  4. Courage says:

    Claude is deserving of the job, plus it does not involve tampering with the cookie jar. Next choice is Barbara Stevens defreitas. Willock is better off as a consultant/ advisor for government not speaker of the house. Plus he is a tad too vindictive for my liking. Irene may serve just well but Claude is the man.

    Like 3
    Dislike 12
  5. Lily Ann says:

    Comedy Central lololololll

    Like 6
    Dislike 3
  6. 2 Grand says:

    Who it be it will be. Service. Justice. Balance and the good governance of the Virgin Islands is what we want

  7. Ezra says:

    Big mistake to even consider esteem controversial one. Circus circus circus circus circus. Barbara who Ireen who go siddung. The speaker suppose be neutral. Nothing change in politics.

    Like 4
    Dislike 3
  8. News! says:

    I love it! Yasss!

    Like 2
    Dislike 2
  9. LB says:

    None of them but especially not JW. He is not impartial and not good for this country. Too petty and vindictive.

    Like 10
    Dislike 3
  10. My take says:

    Mr Willock can handle himself good choice fahie

    Like 3
    Dislike 7
  11. VIP man says:

    You guys making a bunch of jokes claude no irene no willock not at all .come on Andrew do better you making s joke out of this government the people cry out for change well them getting it

    Like 4
    Dislike 3
  12. Greg says:

    It could be one of three cronies. Zoe, Willock or Claude. They all b– choices. They all act c—–y people but then again tola poitrics jokey.

  13. Not sure about this! says:

    I felt a lot of positive things from the new group of elected officials to date, but you certainly will give me pause to re-think if these truly are the choices for Speaker of the House.

    Like 5
    Dislike 3
  14. hog city says:

    willock all the way

  15. People says:

    No one can do worse than the last Speaker. The House use to be circus. Even to JW will be better.

    Like 1
    Dislike 5
  16. Bias says:

    Selecting a past candidate or candidates who sought to be a candidate of the party is a mistake!!

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  17. JOKES says:

    Anyone but JW and CSC.

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