No single stakeholder group speaks for everyone in BVI — Governor
Responding to criticisms that the persons he speaks with may not quite cover the views of the BVI public, Governor John Rankin has said he is familiar with many persons engaged in various causes in the community.
Governor Rankin said his job is to try to listen and learn. He further said this is something he continues to do.
“I don’t think any one person – of course the elected representatives have a particular role for speaking for their constituents – but no single stakeholder group speaks for everybody in the BVI as a whole,” Rankin said at press conference recently.
The Governor further expressed that what is circulated in the media and in the comments sections found on social media are not necessarily representative of the people of the BVI as a whole.
“In my view, one can learn just as much, if not rather more, by being out and about talking to people,” he stated.
According to the Governor, he achieves his goal of interacting by meeting with young people of various organisations, visiting churches and also with members of the voluntary sector and with non-profit organisations.
The Governor said he also holds meetings with persons working on health and disability issues, those in the private sector and persons outside of Tortola, where he is based.
When challenged about whether he has invited local activists to his residence to solicit their views on what is happening in the territory, Governor Rankin replied in the affirmative.
“Actually, with respect, I’m not sure how you define ‘activist’. I know a lot of people who engage in various issues in the territory,” the Governor said.
He added: “Of course there are people who are active on all the issues I have mentioned – people active on Alzheimer’s, people active on cancer care, people active on all these issues. They’re all equal stakeholders in the territory. But yes, of course I do meet people who are interested in political issues as well outside of government and I’m always happy to have discussions with them.“
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In other words, Cindy and Henry them just a set a loud mouths and I must agree. Activists are respected. These loud mouths are just for amusement.
“Actually, with respect, I’m not sure how you define ‘activist’. I know a lot of people who engage in various issues in the territory,” the Governor said.
Various super small groups of BVI islanders make more than their share of complaint noise. Some of the local media add to their noise while others just ignore it. The latter choice is preferable these days.
hahahhahahahahahahaha yall som tools
We appear to be avoiding the question that is looking us in the face, do the people of the BVI want the UK to come in and take control, and, it’s a very simple matter to resolve. Hold a non binding referendum of the people, let democracy have its day and find out what the people of this territory want. The answer to this question will help both the UK and local interests by pointing them down the path the people want. This could save a great deal of time and money, for instance, if the people want direct UK rule, why bother rewriting the constitution, why waste time pondering a document that might be suspended in the final analysis. If the answer to direct rule is no, then the UK and the Governor will know what they are dealing with and act accordingly.
Unfortunately democracy does not exist in the BVI because over half the BVI population is excluded from any type of local vote due to various restrictive status laws and the current constitution.
However IF a true democratic referendum in the BVI was held outside the current restrictive laws by permitting all adults in the BVI to vote then that referendum result would be a true statement for or against direct UK rule.
Are you kidding me? So you mean to tell me that you should let thousands of economic migrants determine what is best for the BVI?
I was thinking the same thing! Referendum should have stated “BVI voting population” not just population. Can’t expect a work permit holder or resident to be voting to determine our future. Pure NONSENSE!
Let crazy Cindy take that
Are you kidding me? So you mean to tell me that you should let thousands of economic migrants determine what is best for the BVI?
Not at all, the BVI is a British territory, so, every British subject should be included in the vote, not just BVI born.
WHEN WILL YOU GET THE MESSAGE ? , YOU AIN’T GOT NOW MORE POWER TO SQUANDER OUR TAXPAYERS MONEY ANYMORE ,AND WE THOUGHT BY NOW SINCE YOU YOU BLASTED OUT OF THE HOA IT WOULD HAVE SOAKED IN , BUT WITH YOUR ARROGANCE AND VINDICTIVENESS YOU REFUSE TO ACCEPT REALITY/ BUT HEY YOU STILL GOT YOUR PRECIOUS WIG TO HAVE YOUR FUN PLAYING DOLLY HOUSE AT HOME WITH YOURSELF SMILE ? ? ? ? ? HE HE