I don’t want to defend nonsense anymore — Premier Wheatley
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said he was no longer willing to defend what he described as “nonsense” of the past that ensued before the installation of his Government of National Unity.
As an example, the Premier questioned whether it was the first time a suggestion was made for assistance grants to be moved to the Social Development Department. He further urged persons to be honest with themselves regarding concerns made in the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report’s recommendations that helped form the current framework agreement between his administration and the UK.
“Let’s take a look at the audits which have been done in the past. Being in the Unity Government feels better for me,” the Premier said as sounds of applause rang out in the background.
He continued: “Yeah, I feel like I’m being true to myself. I don’t want to be in a position to defend nonsense—things you know are wrong, anybody on the street could see it’s wrong. And you have to try and fumble and explain it. I don’t want to do that anymore.”
While he did not specify the wrong things he fumbled to explain in the past, Premier Wheatley urged persons to take a look at themselves and said a lot of the criticisms that are in the COI recommendations came from civil servants and different people around the territory.
“Are we saying that there’s nothing for us to learn from this whole process that we went through?” Premier Wheatley asked.
Dr Wheatley said he wanted to be the type of leader that can inspire some level of confidence in the people who want to see good governance in the territory and related an anecdote of how difficult it was to face children who he said were disappointed after the COI report was released.
“I had to speak to some little children after all the events that took place and those little children were so disappointed,” Premier Wheatley said. “It was hard to explain the situation to them. They were so disappointed.”
He added: “I want to inspire confidence in those young people that they can look at the Virgin Islands and have some pride in it. You could see the shame on the faces of those little children.”
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So you knowingly defended nonsense but because you wanted the position of deputy premier you went along with it. All of a sudden you have been washed in the blood of the lamb. You have become Premier and want to hold on to it so you are dancing to the tune of a different drummer. Newsflash: You are the #2 reason why we are where we are. The VIP 3 years in government caused this. The mismanagement, waste of funds, shady deals and the constant bickering with the governor and you were a central part of it.
Thumbs UP !!!!!!!
I think the Premier is taking the right position here. The COI has broad support and many of the things that took place in the past are indefensible. It is time for those in politics today to do what is right and act only in the interests of the public. In time people will see good government has returned to the BVI and politicians will be trusted and respected.
“You could see the shame on the faces of those little children.”
” things you know are wrong, anybody on the street could see it’s wrong. And you have to try and fumble and explain it. I don’t want to do that anymore. ”
OKAYYY this is a mess. People voted you in to be true to your values and your admitting you sold yourself & sold us out. Your the premier now. Its seriously disappointing.
This is the current problem with the BVI & colonialism stop trying to be white & sounding right & educated “fumble & explain” if you know its not actually right!!
Stand up for our rights.
When they killed Afghani children in a botched strike in the last days of withdrawal with all eyes on them they “fumble & explain” that it was a legitimate target & a righteous strike. I never seen an US official more neverous on TV while telling that specific a lie. Yes killing children is a righteous strike…
No one was found responsible for the deaths of innocents. Classic.
They tell us black people sold themselves into slavery, meanwhile omitting that the white colonizers held guns.
They live in a world of lies & that’s what your aspiring to?
I would more respect a politician in a shirt & long hair who is honest than a clean cut bald one in a suit that is deceptive & makes false promises & misleads the public.
Well said. The ability to acknowledge wrong and want to change it speaks volumes. Just put forward your best effort.
African tribes held slaves and sold them without guns at their heads. Fact is the last slaves in world are in n africa and Arabia. Sorry. Fk colonialism. Try some people passing lifestyle to others who learn things and enjoy it. Better operators win in sports and business. Why not gov? What type of failure and fraud Do you need to see and have documented again and again by your government and civil servants to recognize that it is a failed state and deserves severe reform?
Slow Wande now want to criticize his ppl. Just like him, he eventually figures stuff out.
The shady deals and nonsense was happening long before the last 3 years fyi
“Let’s take a look at the audits which have been done in the past” What audits ? More double talk
Why can’t we get the HOA to sign in with name of their sins having already admitted “wrong doing” why they’ve all alluded to a “certain something “ that they can’t quite bring themselves to shout out to the world. Yet they still won’t pass let alone abide by legislation to prevent themselves from letting each other and the tax payers down again, Pathetic.
Mumble, fumble brain in a jumble.
I dont see any change.
Send help…look who throwing people under the bus now…
So what is wrong with admitting that something is wrong and wanting to change. I know some will like to see this Unity Government fail, as a matter of fact they just do not want a local Government and cannot sleep at night knowing that the change they wanted to see did not happen. Uk is giving us a chance to get back on track and if we keep on saying you fell down so like hell you stay down you cannot get back up, it is wrong and anyone with that mind set have no good intentions for the BVI. We were taught when you fall down you get up and do better. So all you people who do not want the BVI to rise but stay wallowing in the past should cool out because you are clearly showing that your agenda is not in the best interest of the BVI but that your motive is selfish and hate.
Its time to admit fault and move on. He is pointing fingers at himself as well. He is doing the right thing. Lets trust the process and believe in our future. We have a good thing here.
When a man shows humility we should take notice.
Keep fighting to satisfy the requirements of the COI. The rest of us should get behind him and help. This silly bickering by the elders in the government needs to stop. Stop being selfish and work with this young man to make the BVI better for generations.
If this fail people will ask why? It would be a shame that the elders in government sabotage the efforts and the very thing they don’t want will happen (UK taking over).