Mather blasts stagnation, calls for unity among lawmakers
Territorial At-Large (AL) Representative Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather pleaded with lawmakers in the House of Assembly to set aside political differences and work together to address pressing issues facing Virgin Islanders.
Mather emphasised the struggles of residents who he said are unable to afford basic necessities. He argued that political point-scoring hinders progress on crucial matters like food security, infrastructure, and healthcare. “We’re running around like a hamster in a wheel,” Mather said.
“And we’re trying to say, we’re going to get there. Come off the wheel. Do what is necessary. Have the will to fix what needs to be fixed, so our people could stop looking at us and questioning what it is we’re doing.” “People are hurting,” he added.
“We cannot dig in our pockets. We send them to Social Development, but we know they can’t handle everything.” The AL Representative said he did not intend to be a representative for the rest of his life and proposed a more collaborative approach among lawmakers, suggesting consultations with opposition members who possess relevant expertise.
“This gentleman to my right, one of the best finance ministers we ever had,” Mather said, referencing Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton.
“Let’s have monthly meetings. Let’s have weekly meetings.” Mather pointed out that both the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) manifesto and the National Democratic Party (NDP) manifesto outlined many similar goals. He urged legislators to find common ground and deliver on these shared objectives.
“There’s a list of things and many of these things in here, they were in the NDP manifesto,” Mather highlighted. “We all know what our country needs.” Mather expressed frustration at the slow pace of progress. He lamented the state of infrastructure, comparing the territory’s roads unfavourably to neighbouring islands.
“I came into this House saying to myself, ‘Antigua got good roads. Anguilla got better roads, Dominica got better roads,” Mather said. “I grew up in the Virgin Islands where we were better than the other Caribbean islands. Now if we say that, we dreaming! Where are we going?”
He stressed that lawmakers need to do better and urged them to take decisive action instead of giving lip service.
“End all the talk, end all the performances and do the work for our people,” he stated. “End the PR campaigns and do the work. Be honest with our people and talk to them. But above all, let us do something.”
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Mather you are a waste and was better off remaining at YEP, honestly. I understand that you are in the Opposition with minimal access to get stuff done but I haven’t heard one single decent or sensible recommendation come from you or plans, especially for our young people. You all are in HOA every time just ranting about dumb bulls**t and travelling all over. You are no different and blinded by the perks that come with being an elected official.
AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS STAY THE HELL UP OFF MATHER’s BACK. HIM HAVE MUCH MORE COMMON SENSE AND UNDERSTANDING THAN THE REST OF THEM. AND YOU CAN SLICE IT AND DICE IT HOWEVER WAY YOU CHOOSE/LIKE WO WO. STAY OFF THE MAN’S BACK WITH YOUR BS.
@ Voter – you obviously cannot comprehend, lack easing skills and are deaf to what brother Mather has been doing and championing. While YOUR elected toddler government squander, travel, throw parties and do didly squat; the opposition members are actively pushing the people’s issues to the fore for this clown government.
In the article above (which you haven’t bothered to read), the member is offering advice to the toddlers across the aisle to move us from being stuck in the mud. You mentioned YEP; funny you should since he’s juggling that assisting our youths while you up and down hiding in your vehicle chasing young …! GTFOH and come out from hiding and show yourself and what contributions you have made to this society. Empty kerosene pan…lmfao…
The counntry boys have all grown up now and have “blinded by the perks that come with being an elected official.”
The transformation in their attire, body size and attitudes say it all.
If any segment of the country has improved to the extent their personal live have, including becoming financially set forlife, oh how wonderful the people would be feeling right now.
as anyone noticed that marked improvement with all of them since taking election?
Not one cares about country or people, just personal gain, legal and corruptionally.
The country and people are woefully and wilflly being neglected.
How is he a waste? Hes trying to accomplish something but because other ‘legislators’ may have relatives that may very well end up on that list, nobody else cares to push for it
you already know the RAT RACE is about POWER , so hollering out is only going to fall on DEAF EARS , ( TYPICAL EXAMPLE , WHAT YOU SAID MAKE A LOT OF
SENSE , BUT ( VOTER ) DIDN’T GET THE MESSAGE , BECAUSE BHE WENT STRAIGHT FOR YOUR THROAT , JUST LIKE WHEN THE COMMISSIONER EXPOSED THE COLDBLOODED EXECUTION STYLE KILLING IB FIAH BAY , THE OUTCRY WAS AGAINST HIM FOR MAKING THE PEOPLE AWARE OF WHAT IS REALLY GOING IN HERE , INSTEAD OF THANKING HIM , BECAUSE THEY WANTED IT SWEPT UNDER THE RUG / AND LOOK AT HOW MANY LIVES HAS BEEN LOST OR TAKEN OUT SINCE , AND ALL WE ARE HEARING IS ” THEY ARE WALKING IN THE STREETS AMONGST US , YOU ARE AMONGST A PACK OF HYPOCRITES , WATCH YOUR BACK
Mather has no real solutions. He should have developed a manifesto with measures, for both scenarios (1) if we win and (2) if we lose, before the election and not trying to do it now on the fly.
A manifesto is what your painted all twisted over pleb? Lmao….waste paper and ink for morons like you whom can barely write a paragraph without grammatical errors? Go siddung you setty fowl!
Mather got to realise a big part of the problem he trying to solve is his same colleagues in opposition who only interested in power and not working the government to progress the territory. This is his first term. Maybe he will figure it out soon.