Lake to UK: ‘Fix your problems before coming to us’
By Fitsroy Randall, BVI News Staff
“Dig the mote out of your eyes before you come to dig it out of ours,” a determined Patsy Lake, said in an emphatic statement directed at the United Kingdom government.
She was at the time speaking among a group of protestors who came to make their voices known that they are not in support of the Commission of Inquiry (COI)-recommended UK direct rule over the Virgin Islands.
Lake, who was involved in the protest that restored Wickham’s Cay to the Virgin Islands people some 53-years-ago told the protestors that they must stay strong, stick together, regroup, and let the UK know that the people of the territory will not stand for the suspension of the constitution.
“Let them see a good and proper representation of our people who are against this COI Report. You can’t sit down and tell us this is what you are doing. We ain’t no moo-moo. We not no fool. This is the 21st century and we will not put up for it,” Lake said to a ramped-up crowd.
With Sixth District Representative Alvera Maduro Caines and Territory-at-Large Representative Shereen Flax-Charles in the background punctuating her sentences with cheers of ‘No UK Rule’, Lake urged young people to come and support the protest and not be deterred by what many might consider a small group.
“I am going to remind you that when we stood up to protest Wickham Cay, it was just a handful. Quite a few people kept saying, ‘where they are going, and what they are doing? They ain’t getting nowhere’. But as the people began to learn about the truth, they began to come out and support – this is what is important; the truth,” Lake said.
“So, I am here to ask you all this morning, while some might think that the representation that came out this morning might not be enough to represent 30,000 thousand people. Let me tell you. This is only a small representation because the organisers did not have enough time. But they had time to plan for us,” she added.
This isn’t about Fahie’s arrest, UK had long-time plan
Lake highlighted that she does not believe what is happening is a result of the Premier’s arrest. She said what the UK is doing is something they have been planning a long time. The crowd then responded with, “they playing the long game”.
Lake recounted some years ago when the National Democratic Party was in power, and the UK came regarding the territory’s financial services. She said that was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg and the plan was to eventually culminate in the suspension of Virgin Island’s constitution so the UK could take over.
“Let us get the organisers. I am old now — I can’t do too much. I was getting a lot of calls and I decided I am going to come, so others can see my face. It affects all of us. Educated and non-educated. We must band together. I am in total and complete support that our constitution should not be suspended,” Lake said.
“The things that have been read to us out of the COI Report are things that have been happening all along. The governor that sits here and is supposed to be governing and keeping good order. Why did he not draw those things to the different government organisations before? You know why? Because it is a long-time plan,” the businesswoman said.
Who will guard the guard?
Lake, with the support of the loud crowd firmly behind her, criticized the governor for his lack of effort in helping to clean up the territory of all the things the UK deemed wrong.
“Tell me something, while whatever is wrong here, because there is nothing perfect, no one perfect, no situation perfect, we don’t live in a perfect world. We don’t have a perfect government; we never had a perfect government, but do we have a perfect governor?” Lake said with the protestors firmly shouting no.
“When the governor takes over? Who will guard the guard? Who will guard the governor? Himself?” Lake added with screams of “that cant work” echoing in the background.
The protestors were joined in solidarity by several legislators and key public figures. Minister of Transportation Kye Rymer was seen conversing with Fourth District Representative Mark Vanterpool. Sharie deCastro Junior Minister for Tourism was adamant in her support for ‘No UK Rule’ as she was joined in protest by Deputy Speaker of the House Neville Smith, political commentator Claude Skelton Cline and calypsonian Sistah Joyce. Second District Representative Melvin Turnbull, former Deputy Premier Kedrick Pickering, and prominent clergyman Bishop John Cline were among those present.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
53???? Wtf, more like 73…YIKES!!!!! Anyway, all that coming from a woman who said she does not keep receipts and copy of contracts LMAÓOOOÓOOO
READ TO COMPREHEND, NOT TO RESPOND! It clearly stated that she was involved in a march 53 years ago, it never said she was 53 years old.
After seeing those people who pushed themselves in front the march, I decided to keep away. People like Pats_ Face and Johnny Cake has milked the countries nipples for years. Who in there right mind rallying around them?
…the same few people many times does not make it look like a large crowd.
Patsy is the last person on earth to make a
Noise now. She is one of those who are
really scared right now, knowing the rope
is tighter and tighter an the honest ones don’t cry for them bad ppl.
BVI has some ignorant elected Representatives.
Who protests while dissing the UK then gets dressed up to go to a meeting later in the day with the UK Rep who came to discuss matters.
You put a dress or lipstick on a oh it’s still a pig.
That’s like telling a rambunctious child you’ll discuss their reprimand from school later and they throw a tantrum instead of awaiting a levelheaded discussion.
A cousin of the Premier who he placed on boards she had no business on – then to add to it all she collecting hundred and thousands of dollars in rent money from the government and she don’t have receipts and contracts.
These people are crazy!
Patsy, Patsy, Patsy,
You are t**k on the people’s skin. You have s**ked the treasury for decades. I can recall your failed campaign slogan, “VOTE FOR LAKE FOR YOUR PIECE OF THE CAKE!”
YOU HAVE TAKEN ALMOST THE WHOLE CAKE!!
GO SIDDUNG!!
It was distasteful to give you a mic and the one who brought you to it was equally as wrong.
Just imagine these 92 persons plus more that will like this comment standing in opposition of this fiasco.
Governor and FCO Rep, please pay attention to our numbers too.
The majority of who were there are there for their own benefit – VIP, NDP and their cronies are at it strong to save their slice of the cake, even the crumbs they go with.
All and your follower’s pockets done fat off of corruption money. go sit down
Fools protesting against the wrong thing. Protesting against UK when we should be protesting against corruption in our own government and among our own people. You protest saying we need to elect our own government. We did that and we did it poorly. Let the UK come and help resolve the issues. These people in charge have taken us for fools for too long now we showing them what fools we are when they get found out.
Exactly!!
The Governor as well as the UK Rep said they are coming to meet with Government Officials, Community Groups, Stakeholders, etc., yet like a set of uncivilized clown they’re dissing the UK’s willing to discuss the way forward and instead have been ignoring corruption that THEY THEMSELVES KNEW ABOUT AND WERE INVOLVED IN!!!!
These people like to take God name for joke but He sees ALL and exposure is HERE AND NOW!!!!
Let’s see you all protest against Fahie looking Diplomatic Immunity.
“A diplomat’s willingness to engage in corruption “was an indication of their home country’s norms or culture rather than their own personal values,” the study concluded.”
https://nypost.com/2022/01/15/how-diplomatic-immunity-lets-envoys-get-away-with-crazy-crimes/amp/
Good article.
These people got their heads up their a**. The UK really don’t want this mess of trouble. If they could, they would wash their hands of the place. It is costing them more than it is worth — hurricane relief money that went into backpockets, covid vaccine that they would have kept in the UK.
Get a clue! If the BVIs aren’t cleaned up you can guess that the US Coast Guard and the DEA are going to be all over these islands. They will haul people away like they did Noriega. You ought to prefer the British over the Americans, who don’t mess around.
Help us understand what money the BVI got from the UK after the hurricanes? If you don’t know anything just shut up and keep your confusing thoughts to yourself! You must have been a darn C Student in school, can’t even read and recall information correctly. You need to go find a clue or disconnect your internet.
Madam your drug lord premier refused monies and help from the UK after the hurricanes or have you forgotten? whose the C student now?!?
All we got was immediate assistance to quell the looting and secure the prison after Irma; an offer of a $400m loan guarantee (which we idiotically rejected) so we could have borrowed cheaply after Irma; and without raiding the Social Security fund and Covid vaccines and equipment.
Those British, I hate them! Give me Fahie any day! Keep my high school kids in a Clarence Thomas shed, part time! They don’t need to know much to work on the drug boats.
Let’s see who is the “C student”
And Fahie was just too stooopid to take a valuable $400 million loan guarantee.
From the Guardian
The news came as it was announced that the UK was to provide a further £25m aid to the hurricane-wrecked British overseas territories of Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands. Theresa May announced the extra funds as the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, made a visit to the British Caribbean islands.
UK officials said there was now a military presence on the BVI, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Seven hundred troops had been deployed as well as more than 50 police officers. More than 40 metric tonnes of aid had been distributed including shelter kits for 13,000 people.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/13/uk-to-provide-further-25m-aid-to-hurricane-irma-hit-bvi-and-anguilla#:~:text=The%20news%20came%20as%20it,to%20the%20British%20Caribbean%20islands.
Let’s see who is the C-student
From the Guardian
“Total UK aid has reached £57m, but BVI officials claim many millions more will be needed to help with reconstruction.”
“UK officials said there was now a military presence on the BVI, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Seven hundred troops had been deployed as well as more than 50 police officers. More than 40 metric tonnes of aid had been distributed including shelter kits for 13,000 people.”
Branson: “More can be done, but we are trying as hard as possible to get as much food, water and aid in as possible.”
Let’s see who is the C-student.
From Guardian article about UK aid to the BVI:
“Total UK aid has reached £57m, but BVI officials claim many millions more will be needed to help with reconstruction. More than 40 metric tonnes of aid had been distributed including shelter kits for 13,000 people.”
Who sent hospital boats for evacuation?
Why don’t you go and experience a hurricane in Haiti???
Let’s see who is the C Student
From the Guardian:
Total UK aid has reached £57m, but BVI officials claim many millions more will be needed to help with reconstruction.
UK officials said there was now a military presence on the BVI, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Seven hundred troops had been deployed as well as more than 50 police officers. More than 40 metric tonnes of aid had been distributed including shelter kits for 13,000 people.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/13/uk-to-provide-further-25m-aid-to-hurricane-irma-hit-bvi-and-anguilla#:~:text=The%20news%20came%20as%20it,to%20the%20British%20Caribbean%20islands.
They are not getting it.
See this right here is my problem with yall lil march… I not marching along side the key people wha make it come to this… The people wha been taking advantage of our broken systems and corrupt officials is who we supposed to rally with now because the UK the “real enemy” idk… is like you fighting for things to to stay backwards and corrupt. This the same one wha claim most of her business with government is verbal agreements so it don’t have no paperwork.
These people lack scruples
If the ordinary BVIslanders and residents who suffer from the self serving cabal we have now fall for this; they deserve to live in Haiti; which is where we are going in quick time if the Brits don’t clean house.
The current set up suits all these people mentioned just fine; that’s why they want to keep it. These are the same people who wasted the opportunities the BVI has had since 1984. Look at Cayman; look at Bermuda, look at Singapore. You won’t see a high school part time in a box store. or sewage in the streets.
You Miss Lake are a major part of the problem. With any Justice you will be doing your future ranting from Balo.
Perhaps this is just me but I am entirely disinterested in what the rich elite who benefit from this corruption have to say. There is validity in being worried about the UK overstepping, but the fact that this protest is being lead by those at the forefront of the corruption simply shows the world how deep our corruption runs. Even now they cannot allow new voices to speak, it must be them at the forefront, even when they are the criminals.
“@ Much To Think About” post should be pinned at the top.
Perfectly said as so many of us are in agreement with this post.
Please providence evidence for your allegations otherwise you are just an alligator.
All the poachers out protesting against the gamekeeper.
Ms Lake, you more than anyone should be keeping quiet. You are part of our problem. Your hands and feet have been in the cookie jar for long enough!
The Elite of the BVI showed out today and demonstrated exactly why we are in the mess we are in today. They literally clapped when this cr**k went to speak who have singlehanded run every single government for her personal gain. Not for the country. These people went and wrote to the Governor on behalf of the people and told the people nothing. Then when that didn’t work, came out to have public meetings to rally support.
she is not so lax with her other tenants’s contracts…
What a frigging joke! She part of the problem. COI she tell them she don’t keep receipts. Really?? Thousands, thousands & thousands of $$$$ !!! We not stupid !
The business companies act BVI law requires record keeping – so none her little enterprises are companies? lies dem tell. Part the problem.
The new movie for the decline of the BVI since 2019 will have the following cast:
Andrew Fahie – Bill Cosby with lots of makeup
O. Maynard – Eddie Murphy with lots of makeup
K. Maynard – Will Smith
Government Official 1 – Barack Obama
DEA Agent – Antonio Banderas
Guv Rankin – Leonardo DiCaprio
Amanda Milling – Tea Leoni
Honest lady auditor – Gabrielle Union
Gary Hickinbottom – Himself
Bishop Cline – Martin Lawrence
Claude Skeleton Clyne – Bishop Cline(in custody)
Natalio Wheatley – Chris Rock
Patsy Lake – Tina Fey
Any comments?
How about Trump as Governor, Bannon as DEA agent and you as Rudy or Mike Lindell
This is a bad joke. Fits right in with the rest of the nonsense we hearing and seeing since last Thursday.
We are very slow learners and have more shame ahead.
She is just as gr**dy as her cousin Andrew. It really shows that the ones who are against the UK take over are the ones who benefit from these governments, time for change.
Lake was allegedly not involved in the protest that restored Wickham’s Cay to the Virgin Islands people she went and hide while the march was going on she is a fa**.
Patsy Lake, seriously?
Hello, Pot? This is Kettle.
Prevention is better than cure. Only now people want to stand up to a corrupt government? It’s too late now. People need to realize that it is way too late to try to do something now. SMH.
Nice gathering of those who have benefitted from decades of corruption. That pointed finger!
Good one! We see them
Some serious darkness resides in that woman.
Lake was not involved in the protest that restored Wickham’s Cay to the Virgin Islands people she went and hide while the march was going on she is a f**e.
The historians need to tell us what she actually did.
The comments here make me smile. The young people are opening their eyes. The future may have hope after all.
Patsy Lake owns almost all of Wickhams Cay, government rent all her buildings, she sits on every board so she is protesting to keep the criminal enterprise intact. Greedy ** can’t get enough. So people don’t be fooled by her bs rhetoric. She is only out there to protect her own interest. Let her go sit her … a** down.
Me thinks she is corrupt too.
Snouts in the trough getting desperate now their handouts and entitlements might go away. The danger is if the BVI somehow manages to resist the call for a period of direct control then the UK will just wash their hands and force independence, and then the economy will come crashing down and you will be left with your corrupt and inept leadership pillaging whatever is left. The truth is BVI is mostly a burden and reputational risk to the UK. This constant drum beat that the UK has some sort of hidden agenda and malign motive is nonsense. Just about all the control has been in the hands of the local BVI parliamentarians for many years. They have shown they are inept and corrupt and out for self and a few of their friends and family members. Let the UK help get the BVI back on track otherwise the future generations are looking at a life of poverty, rampant crime which will drive off tourism – the only economic pillar that will hang on for a few years after UK separates from BVI.
Oooooooooo British virgin islands be careful. Go and kneel before God. That is the only protest you need. Be still and let God…..
All The Rich, crooks, Fishermen and Farmers come out
Today !!!!!
While Patsy is out on the streets protesting about a possible “return to slavery” just up the road her employees are already there.
Crooks, Rich, Fishermen and Farmers Come out Today !!! smh
She clearly stated what’s in the COI report has been going on for years and the UK didn’t say anything. So she is admitting that the place is stink with corruption and because the UK didn’t put a stop to it before, it shouldn’t do so now?? Help me make sense of this!
Patsy and CSC should either leg it or limber up for some prison time.
I see quite a few multi-millionaires there courtesy of the taxpayer’s purse, and in multiple pages of the COI!
A COI which I am guessing most of them have not read!
Also, a lot of people that have current contracts with the Government too. Got to protect them!
Not one sign there admitting that accepting any blame for why we are where we are currently! Like the UK just woke up one morning and decided to roll into town and pick on teh poor old BVI!
The silent majority see through you lot of charlatans!
The UK cherished its democratic rights and principles but democratic rights are too good for the people of the BVI, the majority of whom are of African descent. We know the stereotypes of Blacks that have been created and fueled to support an agenda. The UK wanted out the EU and the UK people were given the right to vote( democracy) to hank the UK out. Nevertheless, the people of the BVI have no choice in how it want to be governed. The people are being denied the right and freedom to choose. The UK is using unilateral action to suspend the constitution and employ direct rule. The people have no choice. Slaves had no choice and every aspect of their lives were controlled. What is happening now is dejavu of the slave era and some slaves are helping.
Patsy Lake your time is up. Gr**d has & will always be an alluring disposition in your heart. You’re on almost every Board in the BVI & sadly could not give an account of the monies in the COI. You should also be joining your colleague in a c**l. Governor is getting Directives from the UK & ain’t NOTHING you can do, will & can say to change it. So go & take a seat & wait for the assignment to be given!!
These ppl are so dishonest. They knew if they showed their faces at Athea Scatliffe on Sunday not even half the the dismal 300 or so that showed would have showed up. They are nothing but thieves and probably afraid of the dirt Andrew can throw from a jail cell in Miami. They so low can limbo under a razor blade
Where is R**an? She always has much to say
Where she should be. Fighting the same battle, but not aligning with the same crooks who contributed to where we are. It’s not everyone know how to fake, real people knows real.
March are impotant when your freedom is taken away
1. Andrew took away the country freedom when he ran to the governor ..Jaspert
2. Andrew took away your freedom, when he and his cohorts tried to give a young man of damagable behaviour status, while hard honest people were denied status even after doing 40 years in the country
3. Andrew gave away your freedon, when he gave 4 million to his cronies as stimulus package who were not deserving
4. Andrew gave your freedom when he replace Board members with incapable people for the job and paid them for incompetence
5. Andrew gave your freedom when he condone the business people who paid did not pay into social security when they take out peoples money
6. The list just started Most devasting when he almost sold out the country to cartel
Is this what your are marching for. Shame on all of you lynh ping
I glad they take pictures, show off all the moomoo them that continue to get fooled by this criminal government. The two political parties here have done and will continue to destroy this country way worse than the UK. Go out and find a legitimate way to make your living and stop Rob the people’s money
shameless
Y we as people like to disrespect each other in time of great peril, we need to put all these PETTY difference’s aside and ask ur self one question do we as virgin islanders want to go back in time to suffer from the hands of the oppressors like ur ancestors did? I also do have problems with the way we are treated in this beloved virgin island we call our home or how our affairs r handle i can go on all night about the negativity of all our ministers of government, back benchers n their cronies but now is not the time ppl cause our democracy our freedom our country and our way of life is under attack by the oppressors of over 400 plus years pass . Ppl did we not learn of how our ancestors was beaten rape n kill in many ways just so that generations to come could live free from slavery. But here we r many years later trying to give it back to very same power that agree with the buying n selling of the black ppl. I’m not here bashing no ones comment i’m only saying unity should be our main focus THIS IS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD. THERE IS SOME KNOWLEDGE IN REV FROM DADDY Jesus ABOUT ENGLAND HE ASK THAT WE BRAKE AWAY FROM THE HARLOT BEFORE ITS TO LATE FOR SHE IS VERY WICKED. PLZ MY PPL WE HAVE TO GET UP AN STAND UP FOR OUR DEMOCRACY DO’NT BE FOOLED BY THESE NONCOMPLIANT SET of UK demons WHO HAS AN HIDDEN intensions to plunge n pillage ur beloved country Tortola . Virgin Island ??
If one cannot let go of the past, how can one stand in unity with the present, and look forward to the future?
Sense our own can’t manage these islands. Lick us with the UK ruling. ?? Majority of us want direct UK rule.
“Dig the mote out of your eyes before you come to dig it out of ours,”
Patsee you are the mote that needs digging out from ours.
This is the same woman that owns the building that Premier Fahie moved to, the Pasea building that the Port Authority moved into and also the woman that pwns the hotel that was designated by the Premier as the as quarantine hotel and is also related to the Premier. What corruption?
These people do know that the BVI has belonged to the UK since 1627? That the UK allowed the BVI Islanders to rule themselves – and look at the mess they have all made of it so now the UK has to come back and clear up the mess. Its like kids with a cookie jar – they ate all the cookies and are surprised that their parent now takes back control of the cookie jar. None of BVI politicians were able to run it properly. So a clean sweep is needed.
So they are not protesting about the CoI findings that people in Government or their cronies had public money that were not entitled to do have? and that BVI politicians cannot run the country. NO they are protesting about the UK taking back control – its just shows are how dumb they are.
Forensic audit for all those protesting. Guaranteed that 75% of them are cr00ks. The UK is seeking
Proper governance and transparency for thousands of people not more feeding at the trough for a select few.
The redheaded recipient of too much under-the-table government largess is busy complaining about possibly having the spigot shut off? She might have to find honest work.
That’s Laugh-a-Minute.
The VI is at its lowest ebb, its darkest moment and at its gravest hour. The position in which the VI finds itself is disappointing, and embarrassing. It is in crisis and out of every crisis emerges a leader, e.g., Theodolph Faulkner, Noel Lloyd, etc. And in this crisis, a leader must step forth and lead the territory out of the abyss.
Nevertheless, Virgin Islanders, the people, not politicians nor the UK, must solve this problem. Virgin Islanders, past and blame game aside(the time will come for that), must come together cooperatively and collaboratively own the problem and craft problem solving solutions to fix this urgent and important crisis. Addressing this crisis must be PRIORITY 1 for the people. The VI, the people must pick itself and like a Phoenix rise from the ashes. As such, suggest as a start applying the 5 Why problem solving approach.
The governing principle in both the UK and the VI is democracy (a people-centered mode of governing) not autocracy. Thus, democratic principles/processes should apply in addressing the problems in the VI. As noted elsewhere, there other administrative means of attaining the desired outcome for the VI other than suspending the constitution. Let democracy thrive.
OK late to this party but I just looked at the pics and 80 % of the people there have been on or part of the Government gravy train for the past 20 years.