Premier denies changing the will of the people
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has rejected claims that his government is altering the will of the people in its handling of the Constitutional Review Commission’s recommendations, stating that the House of Assembly is acting within its mandate to deliberate and determine which proposals are adopted.
“We’re not changing the will of the people,” Dr Wheatley stated during a recent press conference. “Just like any report that’s conducted, a report is handed over. The House of Assembly commissioned a report through a resolution in the House of Assembly. That report is handed over to the House of Assembly for further action,” he explained.
The Premier said that while the recommendations from the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) were informed by public input, not all could be accepted wholesale. “Any report, including the COI or any report, you don’t have to accept all of the recommendations that the report has put forward. There has to be some discussion and some deliberation as to what will be taken forward and what is not going to be taken forward,” he argued.
Premier Wheatley added that while the CRC’s work was valuable, it must be balanced against wider considerations, including ensuring that recommendations represent the entire community.
“The report correctly states that there’s a lot of education that’s needed in the public,” he noted. “It’s commendable that the persons who came out and shared views, but I’m not sure if anybody would be able to assert that everything that has been shared is representative of the entire public’s views,” he said.
He further cautioned that some recommendations came from a small section of the population. “Some of the recommendations certainly have to be taken, in my view, with a grain of salt. So in some instances, some of the recommendations which have come forward would have come forward from just a handful of people,” Dr Wheatley explained.
The Premier assured that the government’s approach to constitutional reform would remain transparent.
“We have to have the wisdom to analyse the report, its recommendations, and to be able to come to conclusions that we will transparently communicate with the people of the Virgin Islands,” he insisted.
The House of Assembly has moved into the committee stage to finalise its report on the CRC’s findings before negotiations with the United Kingdom begin. The Premier has pledged to establish a negotiating team by year’s end and to conduct public consultations before travelling to London for talks.
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Appointing this boi as deputy premier was one of the biggest mistakes done by Fahie.
…aside from all of that narcotics business, I guess?
He dont know anything about being the deputy premier
Yes Andrew effed this country pretty good…He gave it to us from multiple positions. But that’s what happens when voters aren’t smart. They still turned around and voted for most of them a second time. The NDP 1, 2 and 2.5 battle doesn’t help either. What a disastrous time for the Virgin Islands…
Based on election results, this is exactly the government the BVI wanted and deserves.
But I will keep saying it. I am glad for all who voted VIP and corner lady. I also hope you all ain’t getting not one kickback. Let all that raise and pension they set themself up with burn ayo eyes and conscience. Eat crow while they eat steak for ayo stupidity.
Now they looking to carry ayo to independence. I man with a doctorate in history leading ayo to independence. Hehehe ayeee mehson.
You are so right.I agree with you.that was the worst mistake,puting this man in power….
“Some of the recommendations certainly have to be taken, in my view, with a grain of salt. So in some instances, some of the recommendations which have come forward would have come forward from just a handful of people,”
Sound like the self determination agenda if you ask me.
Spot on.
Remember. He is Fahie’s Boy.
So we know what to expect.
The picture of the Criminal is still on the walls of the HOA in his honour.
This man has the votes of 487 people of the VI and honours one man who is a criminal and is in prison until 2035 but is honoured by this premier of our nation.
This person who is leading this territory with 487 votes will not honour the wishes of the people only Andrew Fahie.
The wishes of the people will not be carries forward in this Constitutional Review nor will the recommendations of the Constitutional Review, we have seen that in the discussions in the HOA.
Now behind closed doors the SECRET will of the SECRET HOAs dirty deeds will really be done.
Crooks, dihonest hoodlums and thieves have n honor?
This man is the worst thing happen to us.
Mek it mek sense:
“It’s commendable that the persons who came out and shared views, but I’m not sure if anybody would be able to assert that everything that has been shared is representative of the entire public’s views,” he said.
Nothing will ever be representative of the entire Public’s views – we have a lot of differing opinions. But please give some real consideration to the thoughts and suggestions of all those people who actually took the time and makde the effort to give input to this democratic process.
People, it is only hating yt men who easily refer to Black men as boy/boi.
The have no respect for the Blaxck man
So are we are supposed to think you have the hate right with Blaxck and yt? Are those the proper terms for none hating people? Or are you a hater also?
Deflection does not represent truth nor eases. conscience.
The immanent contradiction that lies in making a profession of reconciliation.
I was just thinking both maybe racists from the comments. Or racist haters. Or haters. yt boi blax.
All seems a bit unnecessary.
yt boi blax. are necessary to highlight facts,not fiction and the mind which is unfettered from birth.
None ever admits to being racist, there words, syntaxes and actions do.
If the recommendations were in his favor and said that the Premier MUST come from the 7th district, i bet he would say oh the report is the will of the majority of the people! Then the report would have been considered thorough and perfect because it is in his personal best interests. But because the report is calling for Premier and Deputy to be voted from the at large popular vote, which would exclude him, then all of a sudden the report is only from a small section of the population. WELL GUESS WHAT? YOU WERE ONLY ELECTED BY LESS THAN 5% OF THE POPULATION!!! So i guess those results arent valid either!
What’s the point of appointing a whole committee to spend hours and hours of meeting with people and producing a report, only for you 13 to pick and choose which recommendations you want? It is a nonsensical process. We do not want you to choose what you think we want or what only suits you. VIP must go!
Respect is Earned. Respect is Measured by One’s Demeanor towards People or Things.
Most of the Statements in this Article stating what the Premier said concerning the Topic are Nonsense. The Premier Must know that you would Not have 100% of the Population attending No Meeting at any given time. therefore, the Said recommendations would have come from a Cross-section of the Communities that make up the V.I. And the Recommendations in the Report were indeed the Will of those Persons present or who may have met with the Chairperson privately. Sadly, the Comments in this Article makes No Sense whatsoever and call it what you want, I am just Speaking my Mind. If I am disrespecting anyone so be it. It is my Views.
Which cross section?
Holy Moses, is saying)> i may have played with ya’all minds – and put “ah Lil ting on meh salary ” but I surely didn’t touch ya’ll will / unless its a title to a piece of property and that would of been be an honest mistake .
Our denial, self-serving, dictating Premier. We in trouble.
It seems like this child looking to take us to independence without the majority of the people’s input, and has disregarded the recommendations of the constitution review committee which then confirms that having the review was a waste of money. The views of the people does not matter. Action speaks louder than words. Spending monies a year before election will not work this time. We have seen enough and had enough; VIP must go.
HELL NO WE WON’T GO , AND WHEN OUR HEAD COACH RETURNS WE GO BE BIGGER & BADDER , DOH SAT AH DIDN’T TEL AH-YO