Premier hopes coalition gov’t lasts beyond next election
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed hope that the current Government of National Unity administration will extend beyond the upcoming elections which are constitutionally due by early next year.
Members of the political Opposition coalesced with the ruling Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration to become part of the government following the release of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report months ago. However, the coalition was not without its share of controversy since at least one displaced government minister crossed the parliamentary floor to become part of the political opposition because of a difference in views.
Asked recently whether there are plans to contest the upcoming elections as a government of national unity or as members of separate camps, Dr Wheatley said it was difficult to say, but he noted that many persons in the community have commended his government for taking the necessary steps to become unified.
The Premier expressed that the while the move was rare in the region and persons may sometimes be required to let their egos take a backseat in such instances, it was necessary to do what was in the national interest as opposed to what was in the interest of any particular party.
“I think with the reforms and with the crisis that we face it’s a national issue and you want all hands on deck, and you don’t want partisan interests to take precedence over territorial interests,” the Premier said.
Built-in transparency
Dr Wheatley further argued that he felt the Government of National Unity is an excellent way to go about implementing reforms.
“It’s almost like some built-in transparency I would say, because of course, you know you cannot take decisions in favour of any particular party because, of course, the coalition would fall apart. It wouldn’t work,” the Premier stated.
“I surely hope that the coalition lasts even beyond the next election, because of course sometimes when you’re arguing and fighting, you really forget how like-minded you actually are,” he added.
Opposition’s role crucial
The Premier said Opposition members who came across from different party groups all agreed in more ways than they disagreed and he felt it was in the best interest of the people for them to continue working together.
“What form and what shape that takes in the future? I’m not quite sure. But I do know that we need everybody working and being on the same page,” the Premier said.
The Premier also stated that he was not discounting the role of the Opposition since it played an important part in holding the government‘s proverbial feet to the fire.
“You’ll always need an Opposition to be able to do that. But of course I like the idea of all hands on deck and everybody working together,” Dr Wheatley added.
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Now they want to make the one party state permanent.
No way Dr Slow.
It won’t!
Enjoy your last dance as chief
Ayo not representing us to the fullest
All he is interested in is remaining Premier. This statement says everything. I worked under the now Premier and from what I witnessed he would not even qualify for a middle management position in the civil service. He has no work ethics or discipline. He has no plans for anything. He is absent even when he is present. He does not know one single thing happening in his ministry. He is the perfect person for the UK because he is fast asleep and they could have their way.
You’re speaking the truth. He’s like that. It’s so sad. Persons blamed Andrew for micromanaging but what can you do when you have people like this on your team? He just wants the title.
Not under your Watch! No Way!
The ones who benefited ,partnered, enabled, dumbly stood by or those who didn’t even attempt to expose all the known corrupt wrong doer’s in short the lot of you.
Government jobs are public servants .you work for the people not a party. So Don understand why they would still think or mention that concept. ?. Come on .Change is change but if mindset still the same then no real change
might not exist by the end of this year. Elections may occur in the distant future but not during this time of direct UK rule threat in 2023 and 2024.
typical moo moo to even think so. You really never know who a person truly is until you hand them power. Then the true person is exposed. Here we go again
Such naivety! Good job we’re not independent yet, can you imagine how this joker would get manipulated by Russia, China etc if we were?
No Sowande, it will not survive through the election, you’re new friends will stab you in the back (those that aren’t prosecuted for their many wrongdoings).
I don’t know where he will find a job after he lose. He was a failure as a lecturer. Don’t know who would hire him.
National Unity is the only way forward. Thanks for your example Premier.
No thanks… Unity government is basically the equivalent of direct uk rule.
Don’t even think one of y’all will win back a seat if y’all run together
Tell da paper Dr go take ah seat up on the sticket!
It got another stickit beside long look? Let he go east end.
Tell me when is next election and I’ll tell you if you’re hoping in vain, Hon. Premier.
We need the house desolved fast
The suggestion can work for a territory of this size. Why fight? Just work together toward a common goal. The upliftment of the territory. Doh knock it till yuh try it.