Power being taken away subtly from politicians — Walwyn
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn sounded the alarm about what he perceived as a quiet but significant erosion of power among elected officials in the BVI.
Walwyn’s comments came during a recent debate in the House of Assembly, where he pointed to subtle changes in legislation that, in his view, could undermine the authority of elected leaders.
“The power that you run for, that’s given to you by the people to assist them, is migrating to somewhere else,” the lawmaker added. “And it’s being done in a subtle way. You’re setting up boards, you’re setting up this, you’re setting up that. So that they have to go through all of these things for certain things to happen.”
Walwyn expressed concern about the growing reliance on boards and external bodies, which he believed could diminish the effectiveness of elected officials in directly serving their constituents. “We are becoming less and less effective in terms of assisting our people,” he argued.
Walwyn’s concerns were raised during the debate on the Crown Lands Management Bill, which he argued should be renamed the Virgin Islands Lands Management Bill to better reflect local interests and control. The bill, concerning the management and disposition of crown lands, was seen by Walwyn as not aligning with the interests of Virgin Islanders, potentially sidelining them in critical decisions about their own land.
“The lands belong to the people of the Virgin Islands,” Walwyn asserted, pushing for more significant local input and decision-making authority in land management.
He pointed out several inconsistencies in the bill, especially conflicting statements regarding land affordability and market rate evaluations, which could complicate the ability of ordinary citizens to purchase land.
He also highlighted a need for more public communication regarding reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry (COI), which he believes might leave many unaware of important shifts in governance.
“I don’t think enough is being done. And if we’re saying that these changes are being done for the people to improve the country, then I think it’s important that the people that you say you’re doing it for, that they have a clearer understanding of what it is we are actually doing,” he stated.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM.
This man is confused about his identity as a legislator. As a lawyer, he should be most aware, and likely is.
Politicians are elected as lawmakers with the power to FIX the system. The underlying power is not supposed to be one that allows them to CIRCUMVENT the system.
What’s good for one has to be what’s good for all.
Elect better next election. Drain the swamp.
All the land belongs to the crown. When will they learn that you belongs to the plantation it does not belong to you.
Myron Walwyn all of you are the same, all of you want to have your own way with the people’s money and whatever else. The BVI had its own way of ruling and doing business without the UK getting involved but as the saying goes give a cow enough rope and he will hang itself. What all you smart pollinations are forgetting the UK owns the BVI and anyone in the BVI with any brains don’t want independence so give it up.
Work for the people and not for yourselves.
Yes, the is rightly being taken away from the politicians and being given back to the people. Politicians like yourself only empower themselves, greedy bill one such instance.
I agree the land is going to be taken away from Virgin Islanders. I agree over 100 years ago after slavery ended, now in 2024 the British Virgin Islands is going to be taken away from the people of the British Virgin Islands. Is it the UK/British Politicians taking the land away? Is it the US Politicians/US military/and US veterans taking the land away? There is definitely some wrong in the British Virgin Islands Legislative Council Chambers, Main Street, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Something is wrong in the Governor’s Office, the Deputy Governor’s Office and in the Premier Office and something is wrong with the elected officials in the British Virgin Islands. Who is taking the land away from Virgin Islanders?
Did you take your medications ms. Varlack?
the wigged one has ruffled your feathers ( you all are only interested in POWER , and don’t want to be held accountable for your clandestine
actions / that sh* t got to stop
So the UK setting up boards that yall greedy ms have to go through when yall need to do some scheme
good for ayo. I glad them putting stop gaps and taking measures.
yall wan to come and talk bout it saying that it will hamper progress.. what progress??
yall haven’t improved the bvi in decades but have annual budget increasing every year but nothing to show for it?!?
the asphalt that yall keep slapping on the road literally washed away from the rain.. not even or storm.. not even a hurricane! just rain!
tax money wasted again!
#covidgrants
#greedybill
#potholes
#badinfastructure
#minimumWage
#FakeFamers
#FakeFishers
#AndreFahieBust
#MissingPlane
I take anything this Man says with a grain of Salt. One time He is saying that He can’t make Laws to protect Virgin Islanders, Then on the other Hand he is trying to Fool the Fools that think He cares about Virgin Islanders. The reason there are certain Boards and Bodies in place is to put a stop to the crooked Politicians doing as they please, Although they get away by only accepting their Families and Cronies to sit on Boards so they can still manipulate the System while giving them extra Cash.
Myron is upset because He allegedly can’t get to give his Cronies that $1,000. he used to give them every Month from the Peoples Tax Money. The COI put a spokes in ya’ll Wheel!!! Do what is right for the Territory so that everybody will equally benefit and not just a few.
did the ministry of finance, british virgin islands government destroyed the british virgin islands. i began working there in 1985 and i always never trusted my own british virgin islanders. there is no one in this world to trust and have confidence in. i am almost 60 years old and i am disabled and i do not have a job to support myself for the past 7 to 10 years and now i cannot return to the british virgin islands because of the destruction in the british virgin islands and here in the usa my life has already ended and has already been destroyed.
You all power still there. All the COI did was brought you all down to serve with integrity.
Yes to UK because we want to continue to be dominated by Caucasians and to be second class subjects. It’s just a matter of time before the extraterrestrials out do themselves and are unable to survive in a Melanated atmosphere. Let the bombs continue to rain while the climate goes haywire and we are faced with uncontrollable catastrophe. This is what Yes To UK means for those of you that are clueless.
What part of the BVI are you from and who are your relatives. You obviously need help and you are reaching out but you seem to have lost touch and is using this medium as an SOS. I suspect that if you publish your story something can be done to assist you.
The only thing that has been taken away from you all is your ability to steal our money and make sure your relatives or friends get money for nothing.
Think we are all on the same page. We think this is a good thing for the People of the VI.
Seems the blindfolds are off and the users of this site finally Walwyn for what he is, just another BVI politician. Money for friends, money for family, no vision whatsoever.
I think locals are so hateful of the politicians that they don’t realize that by plotting for elected officials downfall and forcing them to be ineffective is at the same time hurting the people and our ability to adapt and move quickly to improve the BVI. We are so blinded by distrust for elected officials, that we embrace the COI to our own ultimate demise. The enemy of your enemy is still your enemy! Be careful what we wish for!
That was straight to the point / but there is no honor amongst thieves /\\_ so integrity amongst those sharks is like our culture ~ LOST
Yes, the power should be taken away “subtly” from politicians.
The people and the UK have a plan for the politicians and it’s not unreasonable. Treat us fairly/equally and stop thinking about yourselves!
You have oppressed us to spend our tax dollars illegitimately for too long, and this is the result!
Very surprised this is coming from you Walwyn?
i did not know that the british virign islands was a colony of the united kingdom. i thought that the british virgin islands was a british dependent territory with a chief minister and the the british virgin islands legislative council chambers change to british oversees territory with a premier.