BVI News

Parliamentary Opposition establishes shadow cabinet

Opposition Leader, Ronnie Skelton.

His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition has moved to implement a shadow cabinet to that of the sitting government.

A shadow cabinet consists of a group of opposition spokespeople who, under the leadership of the Opposition Leader, form an alternative cabinet to that of the government, and whose members mirror the positions of each member of the Cabinet.

Members of a shadow cabinet have no executive power. It is the shadow cabinet’s responsibility to scrutinise the policies and actions of the government, as well as to offer alternative policies. 

A media release from the Opposition said they implemented this shadow ministerial system “in consideration of the wishes of the people of the Virgin Islands”.

The portfolio of the Shadow Subject Ministers System will be as follows:

Leader of the Opposition – Ronnie Skelton
Finance
Food Security**
Gaming
Immigration
Banking
Town & Country Planning
Shipping Registry
Health & Social Development**
Alternative Energy**

Myron W. Walwyn
Tourism
Education**
Culture (Festival & Fairs)
Financial Services**
Macro-Economic Planning

Marlon A. Penn
Health & Social Development**
Housing Development
Trade and Economic Affairs
Financial Services**
Information and Telecommunications Technology

Julian Fraser
Alternative Energy**
All subject matters falling under communication and works

Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull
Natural Resources
National Health Insurance
Social Security
Lands
Climate Change
Labour

Stacy Mather
Agriculture & Fisheries
Food Security**
Education**
Youth Affairs & Sports

**portfolio areas shared with another member of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition

“The Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and all members fully commit to operating the Shadow Subject Ministers System as effectively as possible in an effort to deliver to the people of the Virgin Islands the best possible Government, of you the people, elected by you the people, and working for you the people,” the Opposition stated.

Financial Services introduced among ministerial assignments

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13 Comments

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  1. Hmmm says:

    This is normal in all countries but let us hope it is being done for the right reasons. Let’s move forward together.

    Like 15
  2. One thing for sure says:

    The Opposition is out for blood because they could not form the government so expect anything from them cloaked under the disguise of good governance and working on the behalf of the people.

    Like 6
    Dislike 24
  3. I see nothing wrong with this. says:

    I endorse this move. In the same vein I advocated in the past for a consolidation government, I advocate for a robust & strong Opposition to hold the government’s feet to the fire.

    Stay on their behinds to ensure they do the right thing, and do right by the people.

    Each member of the Opposition represents the interests of their constituents
    Their views need to be heard. No more of the government doing what it wants without objection or input from the Opposition.

    Holding them accountable is long overdue.

    Like 15
  4. WHO says:

    Who is out for blood? Nonsense!!!! The government could not even get it right this morning at the first sitting. And the AG sitting right next to the bumbling fool. Thank God for the opposition. Keep those who THINK they know on the straight and narrow by those who ACTUALLY know. Live streamed all over the world and out the gate the Premier can’t even get to right. How embarrassing but hey, that’s how this government has been rolling. Accident after accident. I guess nominating Luce Hodge Smith was an accident too. As was noted – a bumbling f**l. And Lorna seconding it as well. I hope she has the good sense not to let them lead her down a slippery slope.

    Like 16
    Dislike 2
  5. resident. says:

    i love this. i hope true change and betterment of this small rock we call home.

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  6. OK says:

    Mitch, all your shadowing can’t change the fact that the Labour Commissioner is back on the job and she is doing great!

    Like 6
    Dislike 5
  7. KEEP THE HEAT ON says:

    STRONGEST OPPOSITION TO DATE

    Like 8
    Dislike 1
  8. wow says:

    Sharrie cant slip up at all because those two bull dogs will be on her tail…lol

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  9. WARNING TO THE GOVERNMENT says:

    ANY SLIP UPS…VOTE OF CONFIDENCE NEXT

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  10. Vote of no confidence says:

    At the very first sitting, major blunders, premier, deputy premier, guy from 9 who really couldn’t tell if his notes was a 6 or 9. When a person loose their note and they are the ones who wrote them, then continue to flow. Then be is not really a reasonable person in being.

    Hon Frazer let me down, this was the perfect time to call a motion of no confidence. I like though how you sneakingly threw shots at the Governor of the USVI.way to go senior member.

    Hon Dawson was a bomb, great speech sir as usual. You should have been in health. Hon Luce also spoke well great job.

    Like 2
    Dislike 2
  11. @ Keep The Heat On says:

    In Theory, this should be the strongest Opposition in the history of the Virgin Islands. However as it currently stands in practice, and until this current Opposition proves different, that honour still belongs to the tandem of Fraser and Fahie from 2015 to 2019.

  12. Elsa says:

    Its good to hear she is back on the job and doing great! No BV Islander should lose a job over work permit issuing because she is fully aware that lots of them are unwarranted.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  13. Grape vine says:

    Hold the government hands to the fire to improve the country and keep the laws of justice and democracy alive
    Great start
    Bad blunder Premier
    You are in the learning process . Dont kill him . Just veto what he does wrong Opposition. By the end of the year we will hopefully see great changes Please increase that pension plan . Seniors cannot live on a set budget for over ten plus years . Cost of living is killing us

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