Let the chips fall! Premier welcomes debate on referendum
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley is encouraging residents to participate in healthy debate in the territory, including on the issue of the recently announced referendum for same-sex marriage.
Premier Wheatley asserted that the territory needs unity now more than ever and said this goes beyond the notion of political groupings. “That goes to how we interact with each other as a Virgin Islands people. It doesn’t mean that you have to agree on everything,” the Premier said.
He added: “But you don’t have to try to kill each other. One faction try and kill another faction. You have a proper debate, you have a proper discussion and then let the chips fall where they may.”
Dr Wheatley told his fellow lawmakers that they should all work together in the best interest of the territory, and contended that in instances where they disagree, they should agree to disagree.
“We have a good solid debate, a good discussion, and at the end of the day, if I didn’t change your mind and you didn’t change my mind, well, that’s life,” Premier Wheatley said.
In the meantime, the Premier urged that residents should not get annoyed about the upcoming referendum and should instead seek to participate in the discussion.
“Don’t get vexed at the referendum. You have your say, have the discussion. Have the debate. Let the chips fall where they may,” the Premier stated. “Don’t be afraid to have a discussion and a debate and to express your view. I have a view. I’ll express my view. I’m not afraid to do that. You can express yours.”
Dr Wheatley warned that many more debates are coming and said residents cannot be afraid to deal with tough topics such as the constitutional review, changes in the public service, and other matters.
“This is how you grow and you develop. The Virgin Islands has to be a country of ideas, a burgeoning country of ideas,” Premier Wheatley argued.
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Like this man dont read the blogs, fire fi dem tings
I feel like we giving this too much energy. This issue not even important really for the future of the BVI. Why don’t we fight the public register of beneficial ownership for financial services with the same vigor.
Who ever convince the Premier to do this has provided very poor advice. It will make no difference in the overwhelming lives of BVI people now or in the Future. It is taking precious resources and energy that should be put towards BVI’s sovereign status as a State or Territory or other constitutional status. How far can and will the government be willing to go with this? Maybe they intend to hire morality Police (lol) that was just disbanded in Iran, to see who living with who, who zooming who, who is family to who, who sleeping with who and the list goes on. This ship has sailed in most advanced democracies. Religious zealots are chasing people into corners to what end they themselves don’t seem to understand love by the grace of God.
Yet another smoke screen. A referendum on a matter before the courts…ridiculous.
How is it that the BVI telling the UK that they will follow all other Countries like US when it comes to having open beneficial ownership registers for companies but they don’t want to do the same with recognizing same sex marriage. Just occured to me as a bit hypocritical.
Dear Sir/Madam,
The issue of same sex marriage in the bvi has to be addressed and will be addressed but please be patient with us as there are many other important issues that were already on the table to be addressed. Please give us time to finalize what was already on the table and then we’ll get back to you. Thanks for your cooperation…
Yah will level this place with more cat 5 hurricanes followed by a 9.5 earthquake. Ayah people still ain’t humble yourselves naw? Keep entertaining wickedness. Good luck.