People shocked but happy that Willock resigned
A few people who gathered at the House of Assembly yesterday morning to witness Speaker of the House Julian Willock announce his resignation expressed shock and surprise that the opinionated Speaker decided to resign.
Willock announced his resignation yesterday morning before vacating the bench and making way for Deputy Speaker of the House Neville Smith to conduct the House of Assembly session. In his resignation speech, he told the public he was asked to resign by Acting Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley after the members of the House indicated they no longer had any confidence in him as the Speaker.
Local social commentator and political aspirant Cindy Rosan said she was surprised and a bit shocked at the event that transpired in the House, but said she was happy with the outcome as she believed Willock should have stepped aside from last year.
“We had the issue last year where the House of Assembly, through Mr Willock, attempted to halt the COI and there were no grounds apparently and he was ordered to pay the fees. I am going to say the past Premier Honourable Andrew Fahie- he moved a motion in the House, and I am going to say overstepped the court’s order and put a special committee to remove what the court ordered; which was disappointing for a lot of us,” Rosan said.
“We had a rally here to protest it. We haven’t gotten anything from it. But I think those are the things we were seeing unfolding in the House of Assembly and things persons were getting exhausted of. The overstepping of the rules, going above the rules. Operating above the laws of the land. To me, from then he should have resigned but today is good for me as well,” she added.
Rosan said she believed the decision for Willock’s resignation came out of meetings local officials have been having with Governor John Rankin and UK Overseas Territories Minister Amanda Milling.
“We are still waiting to see what comes out of all those meetings. I am assuming a plan is unfolding in some kind of way or fashion and we will see where that goes with that, but I am assuming this is part of that bigger picture,” she added.
Meanwhile, local activist Amberley Crabbe, who has been a key figurehead in the recent protest, also expressed her surprise that Willock waivered on the request by the Acting Premier.
Nonetheless, she said she believes there is a larger plan that she’s waiting to see unfold.
“I think we are all in a bit of a shock with what transpired in the House of Assembly. I do believe out of respect for the process and the House of Assembly that we should allow things to take their course. We do not know what else is coming for today but we did hear our Acting Premier say they will be making the best decision for the territory so we would like to give an opportunity to see what transpires for the rest of the day. I will hold my comments until that time so I can make an honest opinion on what transpired,” she added.
Former public-sector worker Dawn Leonard was also present, and she expressed the same sentiments as the others.
“I am a bit shocked as to what has happened a bit now. You weren’t sure what had happened, but I do concur with Amberley that we must see the process through, and we will be back when the House is in session to see the process through,” Leonard said.
Willock insisted he was not asked to resign out of any wrongdoings but instead he was being used as a sacrificial lamb.
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Bvislanders are their worst enemies
That is a general statement.
SOME BVIslanders who are only looking out for themselves, and seeking ways to enrich themselves and their friends and family at the expense of the wider community are indeed our worst enemies. They are the enemies of all residents (whether belongers, non-nationals, tourists or international interests) because they corrupt, pollute, poison and steal from our collective resources and tarnish our reputations and future.
But, we should never paint everyone with a broad brush. There are honest persons, who do not engage in corrupt personal or business practices, who do love and fear God (not just in lip service but as modelled in a virtuous life), pay their taxes, work hard, and try to leave a worthwhile legacy for their children and future generations. Let us acknowledge that.
Having said that, however, I must say that over the last few days there has been an embarrassing public display of unwarranted pride and arrogance as persons made known their objections to direct UK rule (which it is their right and priviledge to do freely). While in my humble opinion, it may be wise for a reset at this time, I can also see that many persons are operating out of fear of going “back into slavery” of “losing all we have gained”, of “the white people taking over”, all while piping a bunch of unfounded talking points like “what have they ever done for us?”, or “they want what we have”, or “we built this by ourselves” (all of which are factually untrue but serve their purpose of stirring up the indignation and wrath of the people).
But I would caution all of us to pause, take a deep breath, evaluate where we are, how we got here, why we are in the mess we are, and ask yourselves honestly can you trust the same ones who oversaw us getting into this mess to suddenly have a 180-degree turn and overnight they are championing the very changes and adjustments that they spent months (and several millions of dollars in lawyer fees) protesting against because “we are not corrupt”, “we can manage our own affairs”, “we already have systems in place”, and “this is a witch hunt”?
Mmmmm… seems to me that if this COI hadn’t been introduced that we would still be in the dark about a LOT of this mess that our elected representatives from successive administrations (VIP – NDP – VIP – NDP – VIP again) have left us in. And trust me, the public doesn’t know the half of what really happens. Let me tell you a secret… the public servants (yes, the same ones who are so often thrown under the bus) know the real dirt, and many of them have gotten frustrated and disillusioned with the “system” and that’s why many of them have been disgruntled and “don’t care” over the years. Not excusing their behavior, mind you… but when you see a child acting out sometime you have to ask what is really going on in the home. Mommy and daddy smiling and holding hands in public, but behind the scenes its hell… that’s kinda like what its like for many public servants. And they are bound by professional ethics, their consciences and General Orders from spilling the beans. Well, except for some who over the years flouted their oaths and leaked documents to the media (remember those?). I have no doubt that many were relieved that the COI came to town so the curtains could be lifted and we could catch a glimpse of the horrible mess behind.
This is a loooong post and I need to wrap it up, so let me say this in conclusion. As a BVIslander who loves and cares for my country, I am saddened when I see that my people seem to exhibit short memories when it comes to the poor performance of our Representatives (not leaders… we voted for Representatives, which means they need to REPRESENT us). I am disappointed when we allow pride, passion and willing ignorance lead us to follow false prophets and charlatans on talk shows who encourage wrong while calling it right. It bothers me that we still seem to consider ourselves a righteous nation when known evil is allowed to dwell and prosper among us (drug smuggling, money laundering, prostitution, employers stealing from workers and abusing them, mistreatment of the weaker members of our society, etc.) while we say NOTHING, and revel in our status as being RICH and having BVI LOVE (all while openly hating our brothers and sisters).
My people, its time for us to take a good, long, honest look at ourselves in the mirror being held up right now. Its embarrassing and uncomfortable, yes, but necessary. Its time for us to repent of our evil ways, turn back to God, forsake the things that brought us here, stop chasing money at all costs, and start re-building a society that our children and future generations will thank us for (and not curse us).
Oh, and for the love of God… don’t “Free Drew”… he is right where he belongs!
There will be no chains or loss of freedoms, talk of such is only for those afraid of losing their piece of the cookie jar.
Instead, I can see three things which are very likely to happen.
1. Every government budget will have to be explained and approved by the Governor’s office.
2. Strict rules on bidding and contracting will be established and be supervised.
3. A much enlarged Accountant General’s office will be responsible for direct accounting of every government department in real time, with quarterly reports direct to the governor’s office.
In essence, I see an ENLARGEMENT of the civil service, with every available accountant and experienced HR manager getting new jobs. Yes, in the short term I am sure we will have UK accountants in each department looking over our shoulders, but as the service becomes accustomed to handling the public purse in a responsible manner, they will be replaced with our people who take pride in good service to the country.
This is not a punishment, it is a teaching process to good governance.
so reading the story only Cindy said she is happy but the headline said some are “happy”
You all need to stop misleading the public Willock is one of we, and Cindy does not speak for a majority
election you will see how we feel about her
I am not Cindy and I am HAPPY! SO it is definetly not misleading! Now go somewhere with your P**s!
Who is Government Official 1 named in the statement of the DEA officer – wh is best friends with Fahie.? Why the newspapers and the HoA not trying to find out who he is and expose him? Why hasn’t he been arrested yet?
He has not been arrested because DEA and FBI don’t rush to arrest the wrong people so their take their time and do their investigations properly.
We will miss Julian Willock as speaker at least he was competent
The newspapers & half the BVI know who it is, but the papers (understandably) don’t want to name him
Well said ‘Slim Jim’ I agree with you 100%.