Opposition members force recess over HOA regulation breach
Some members of the Opposition stalled Tuesday’s House of Assembly (HOA) sitting, forcing a recess over what they argued were breaches of standing order regulations.
Second District Representative Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull led the charge, contending that the Opposition was not given adequate notice before the sitting, which he said contravened HOA standing orders. The rules governing the House require that members receive notice of a sitting at least 10 days in advance, excluding weekends and holidays.
Turnbull’s argument was supported by Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn, who firmly opposed proceeding with what he suggested as an illegitimate sitting.
House Speaker Corinne George-Massicote sided with the Opposition members, acknowledging that the required 10-day notice period had not been met.
Despite this, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley urged members to allow the session to proceed, warning that the territory risked missing the February 21 deadline to implement the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) recommendations outlined in its Mutual Evaluation Report on the Virgin Islands.
Premier’s urgent plea
The Premier explained that the sitting was necessary to pass critical legislative changes required by CFATF. He also noted that his upcoming travel schedule from February 14 to February 23 made it even more urgent to complete the work before CFATF’s “post-observation period” ends on February 21.
“If we recess this sitting of the House, we will not be able to meet the requirements of the post-observation period,” the Premier warned, noting that he and Opposition leader Ronnie Skelton had previously agreed to have today’s sitting. Skelton confirmed the Premier’s statement,
While the Speaker upheld the Turnbull and Walwyn’s position, an agreement was reached to reconvene on Thursday, February 13, to pass the necessary legislative amendments. However, the Opposition insisted that the upcoming sitting also include their long-overdue questions to the government, ensuring a balanced discussion.
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Great job opposition. Keep them on there toes don’t mind slowman and his tactics. rule are rules. What good for the goose should be good for the gander
He is travelling? AGAIN?
And again again again. Could he please be here and deal with our countless Problems. Thanks you Sir
I say let him travel in peace. When he here he not fixing the country problems either when he traveling at least he not here to make nothing worse.
This tactic was a waste of time. What benefit was achieved via this move? Mitch looking bad by way of his sexism or Myron looking like a nit-picker? We in trouble if this is the best of the opposition
Boss move by the opposition alliance! Let Natalio know that you guys have sound minds and can see rite through his games. Ronnie fumbled the no confidence vote (or was that on purpose?), and Natalio used standing orders to push back and got the upper hand.
Now, working in unison and as a cohesive force they have made a chess move to getting the Q&A back on track before the government big China escapade party before the jam next month!
Natalio, Lorna, Marlon and all the others in the entourage gonna party like it’s 1999!! Meanwhile, back home, further deterioration of the infrastructure continues with no abatement.
Nice going stop pussyfooting with this boi. Stand your ground.
The Speaker of the House cannot be bought.
Neithet by the ptesent govt nor the opposition
W
Great job
Seem like the premier only want the rules to apply when it’s convenient for him. Anybody else highlight breach of the rules is unhelpful. This a play straight out of his book yet he had sound like he had want to bawl when them boy throw the rules at him.
Learn to prioritise the needs of the territory over travelling and we would not see this mess. Skelton is wrong for agreeing anything with the Premier without discussing with the rest of the opposition if this is what happened here. Just the leader of opposition. Imagine if he was a premier. Bad behavior. No concept of team.
Natalio looking a little weak. He push for rules but cant follow the rules. Maybe he bending many more rules to benefit himself and his friends financially. Defo looks that way.
The premier want to use the standing orders only when it suits him
BVI people don’t like to follow rules, especially the young ones, Maybe these examples are Why.
My takeaway from this is that it is a further revolt against the leadership of Ronnie Skelton. It says in the article that he previously agreed with the Premier for the sitting to be held today. Yet two of his troops were vehemently opposed to it. (What!!! They don’t discuss strategies ahead of these sittings???). And don’t forget that another two are off on a jaunt with the Premier shortly.
It begs the question, “Which Opposition is Ronnie Leading???”
Pointless kindergarten games , get on with fixing the infrastructure, in a honest and efficient manner please .
I picked up that Natalio spoke with Ronnie on the 31st January about a HOA meeting on the 11th February. Based on what I understand taking out the weekend days the notice would have been short. Ronnie should have told the Natalio this when he they spoke on the 31st. This is Ronnie’s fault also for not paying attention. He messed up the vote of no confidence and now he messed this up to.
I check that too he say when he had count it, it had enough days so he don’t know what happen in between lmao. so either the month shrank or he cant count. Skelton not ready he need just let Myron lead the opposition. Always fumbling the ball.
The standing rules aren’t new. That they were all blissfully unaware of the rule of law whilst doing the people’s business should be of offence to all of us.