Motion of “no confidence” not necessary right now

Although they had said they’d be willing to move a motion of no confidence if the current administration was performing poorly, Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton has stated that such a move isn’t necessary right now.

With the Governor’s threat to seek additional powers in the BVI, many have been wondering if the Opposition would use this as an opportunity to campaign against the Dr Natalio Wheatley administration and finally take a shot at leading the territory. And at a press conference earlier this week, Skelton was asked whether he would be willing to move a motion of no confidence against the government, “if a decision is not being made in the best interest of the people.”

In response, Skelton said in any jurisdiction, it is typical for the Opposition to seek an opportunity to cast a motion of no confidence in the ruling administration. But he said he and his team are not exploring that option.

“It’s not in the people’s interest to do that right now. This is a time for us to hold hands and sing that old negro spiritual “kumbaya” so we can stop, protect our country, and move foward as a people who are developing our country,” Skelton explained.

In recent months, the government and Opposition have been at odds over the running of the territory and in particular the legislative affairs of the House of Assembly. Premier Wheatley had stated that there is nothing unusual about his leadership, adding that Opposition members are jealous of him as they’d all like to sit in the Premier’s seat.

The Opposition members have maintained that they are simply calling for more seriousness from the government, adding that government members are often absent or uninterested during high-level meetings where decisions of national importance are made.