Premier disagrees he is blindly siding with Governor on issues
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has denied charges that he has simply been siding with Governor John Rankin on issues concerning the constitutional review; to the detriment of residents.
The Premier was accused at a recent press conference of not listening to the concerns of the people and not involving them in the process of the constitutional review that is set to be taking place soon.
Premier Wheatley, in denying those claims, noted that he is the elected leader of the government and is here to represent the interests of the people.
He reminded persons that the Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommended that the constitution be suspended partially and temporarily and argued that this proposal did not represent democracy.
Dr Wheatley said the United Kingdom (UK) has the power to suspend the BVI’s constitution based on laws that are in place and said they would be making all of the decisions that are needed if this was to happen.
“That’s not democracy, that’s a dictatorship and that’s something that we were seeking to avoid. The actions we have taken have preserved democracy and we’re doing that on behalf of the people so that people can go to the House of Assembly and say whatever they want to, sometimes,” Premier Wheatley said.
He continued: “They (legislators) have the ability and the power to have a voice because we successfully negotiated with the United Kingdom to stay their hand and not suspend our constitution.”
The Premier further argued that the people of the BVI should not go without representation and said he was only concerned about the people and this was the reason he was serving in office.
Talented and skilled
In the meantime, Premier Wheatley argued that he was suitably qualified to take up a post anywhere else in the world and was not simply dependent on his electoral seat for survival.
“I’m talented enough and I’m skilled enough to survive anywhere in the world and work anywhere in the world. Yeah, I’m not concerned about trying to maintain a job as an elected member. I’m concerned about preserving democracy that my fore-parents fought hard for,” Dr Wheatley said.
Premier pointed out that he was also trying to preserve the legacy of former leaders of the BVI such as his grandfather Willard Wheatley, H Lavity Stoutt, Ivan Dawson, Ralph O’Neal and Terrence Lettsome.
Dr Wheatley also argued that leaders of the BVI must possess the quality of maturity that will secure the best interest of the people of the BVI and said it is not an easy task.
“As a leader, you have to know when to be able to negotiate and you have to know when to be able to say enough is enough and to fight. And I pray to God every day for the wisdom, for the knowledge, for the understanding to be able to lead in a way that’s responsible and not reckless,” the Premier said.
He added: “It’s made more difficult, in my view, by persons who are irresponsible and unreasonable and if those persons had their way, I guarantee you, we would be in a dictatorship, right now, without the people’s representatives having any voice whatsoever.”
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Like how you negotiated with those fellows at the famous east side restaurant. Step down.
hear this f**king du**y..if you sooo qualified to take up a job anyplace in the world how did you end up running for sooo many different partys trying to get in government. Be careful of the words you speak. 1 TERM, LETS SEE IF YOU RUN AGAIN….
No you not the elected leader.You were elected by a few(district) it amazes me the likes go the media with such bulls**t.For sure you are not my leader.Carvin said the now govt.was a coup and every day he seems to be your mouth piece,I dont want hear s**t from you ugly man or non bunch of cr**ks
Hon unelected premier you blow your horn well. But do we the people agree with you. Please name one place in the world, just one place where you can go and command a high level position. Enlighten me because I can’t think of one place. There is no where in caricom you would even be elected. The only place you can even be consider a deputy PS is in tortola. But remember in tortola you had CSC as a government consultant my goodness.
Please hurry up Governor ring the bell let’s get this piece of s…out of the way quickly already.
Puppetry in motion.
More like his hound dawg
Time for elections. Brother man, you ain’t cutting it. for god in heaven sake, Go sit down
is large and in charge. All of the HOA members are mere puppets.
Long look 7th district we need a candidate that can speak for the people in this time! No more excluding the will of the people! We wanted and fought for change from all those involved in the COI.
If you was part of government under the COI you are part of the problem! You politicians benefited from a Broken corrupt system while the people suffered!
We don’t want the self serving leadership, we want to have a voice and say in the development of our people, having jobs and education. We did not form your family government,
Family members running government is not democracy!
I don’t think people realize the position that he/we are in. Only other option is independence and most of us don’t want that. it’s like what’s the plan you kick up against the governor and get the constitution suspended then what!? people saying all kinda things but nobody coming with strategy that actually can put us in a better situation or give us more leverage. Our last elected Premier was moving coke we have no leverage!
You ain’t no d**n true Premier. I am soooo sick of you. All you do is every week on a plane somewhere. Shame on you man, your own district is slowly turning on you.
The 7th push this man on us. Take him back