Premier accused of taking credit for blocking UK rule
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has been criticised for taking credit for stopping the United Kingdom from suspending the BVI’s constitution and imposing direct rule after the Commission of Inquiry (COI).
“They (UK) acknowledged that we had the leadership, the commitment, the human resource, and the skill set to reform our system,” Premier Wheatley said in response to a question about why the BVI’s constitution was not suspended by the UK as recommended in the COI report.
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn said in response, “In the Caribbean, there’s an old saying that ungratefulness is worse than obeah.”
Walwyn chided the Premier for not acknowledging the contributions of the many Caribbean leaders who he said stood up and represented the BVI in its time of need.
“Those Caribbean leaders stood up for us — the Ralph Gonsalves, the Mia Motleys — every last one of your colleagues stood up for you and you’re saying to me that the reason why your constitution was not suspended was not necessarily because those Caribbean leaders, those independent Caribbean leaders stood up for you, but because of your leadership and all of this,” Walwyn said.
He accused the Premier of taking all the praise for himself and not recognising what his colleagues in the Caribbean did for the territory.
“It is the very same system of government that we had that was condemned in the COI,” Walwyn said. “So it couldn’t have been all your leadership and all your glory. It is the fact that those people in the Caribbean, those Caribbean leaders stood up for this country and you didn’t mention them in your answer. I’m disappointed in that.”
But Premier Wheatley defended his response, contending that he has acknowledged the contributions of Caribbean leaders on several occasions before and continues to do so. He expressed gratitude in particular to leaders of the OECS and CARICOM.
“Certainly, their interventions were truly significant in maintaining our democracy. I certainly acknowledge that and I thank them,” Premier Wheatley said while revealing that he thanked Caribbean leaders profusely at a recent regional summit.
He also clarified that he was not simply highlighting his leadership, and credited other lawmakers for their role in preventing constitutional suspension.
“I am simply recognising that we have it within ourselves to reform our own system here in the Virgin Islands. That just doesn’t speak to myself as leader,” the Premier said while praising lawmakers who formed the Unity Government after the COI.
In the meantime, Dr Wheatley also credited the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) at the UN General Assembly for its role in staving off direct UK rule.
“I’m certainly not ungrateful to our colleagues around the world who advocated and continue to advocate on our behalf. Even recently, we’ve had leaders who’ve engaged on our behalf with the United Kingdom,” Dr Wheatley said.
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Walwyn is right. Natalio claiming it is because of his leadership the constitution was not suspended. This man doesn’t live on planet earth.
That is how he is and very good at mixing words although he is very repetitive with his words.
Neither Wheatley nor and other Caribbean leaders had
anything to do with this. The British made these decisions for their own reasons, not we.None of the piss in a pot islands matter.
to think that other caribbean leaders voices were heard by the UK on the matter of the COI is just a joke.
Now the Premier might of struggled with implementing what he said he would but it is because of the coalition government that was formed by him that direct rule was not applied at the beginning, but if he does not get things done it will be because of him that direct rule is applied.
You clearly do not understand world politics.
Similar to you not understanding the word Integrity
These Caribbean leaders being warned about these people here. They have no love for outsiders..Stay out of their business.
We want our college papers. When things don’t go his way he disbands them. Even the current MoE is doing better than him compared to when he was the Minister there.
For the love of our territory, please Step down and let Lorna lead or form another coalition. We need muscles on the government side.
Is this really what they are talking about in the “House” whilst the place goes to s**t?
As I’ve said before, It is because the Opposition Members at the Time didn’t understand their Roles that is why they decided to form the Coalition. If it was a true Unity Party, Marlon should have been the Deputy Premier. If the UK had taken over, They would have worked with the Members of the Opposition and other Key V.I. Stake- Holders. Also, Natalio was NOT grateful to the Opposition Members as just before Elections He declared that He could take it from here instead of him being Thankful for the support from the Opposition to form the Unity Party. Be thou as it may, in the next 24 hours we shall all know what next the UK has instore for us. May the Good Lord have Mercy on us and these Islands But anything to get rid of this Poppy show of a Government. Sister Kishmet, TH are the first letters in Thieves and TH are the first letters in Thursday and 7 is a significant number in the Bible while March is the 3rd Month of the Year. 35, 37,73,75.
S!0w W@nde is one of those people you hate to work with: at the first moment they seize all the credit when if it were up to him alone the job would never get done. What kind of child is this, Buddy?
Ayo tell Myron to go hush! He has no credibility of being in the HOA and should be locked up just like the other one in Miami.
Ain’t no body got time for he BS talk about who taking credit and who’s should get credit. If he so want more credit well go to any of the banks and apply.
If the UK eventually takes over it will be because of the Opposition greed for power. The same greed for power that cause them to fail to form the government when they had 7 and the VIP had 6. It is the same greed for power why Ro##ie and the opposition did not do the joint press conference with the government after Rank*n call for more power for the Governor. One set of Judases who feel the UK will take away rule from the VIP and give it to them.
United we will stand. Divided we will fall. Divided we will fall.
THIS is what our government is wasting time/breath/energy fighting about?? Please – get over yourselves and put that energy into constructively solving some of the many issues facing this territory!!!