Premier slams Walwyn over ‘drinks for youths’ remark
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has criticised Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn for suggesting that politicians should buy drinks when engaging with young people, calling the remark irresponsible and unhelpful to addressing youth challenges in the territory.
Speaking in the House of Assembly, Dr Wheatley argued that leadership required honesty rather than pandering for popularity.
“We have to have the courage to tell persons on things like crime. We have to have the courage of telling persons it’s not just the politicians who are responsible for whether crime happens or not,” he stated.
The Premier stated that social issues, including parenting, family values, and community involvement, play a significant role in addressing crime.
He added that true leadership was “not just being around a bunch of young people while they’re smoking their weed and saying well, leave the young people alone or telling or being around buying a set of alcohol for young people who are showing signs of alcoholism just because you want to stay popular with the young people”.
Premier Wheatley took direct aim at Walwyn’s comment that politicians only talk to young people without buying them drinks.
“I heard the leader of the opposition say we talk the young people to death and we didn’t buy anybody a drink,” Dr Wheatly said. “That’s exactly what we should be doing, is talking to the young people. That’s what we should be doing, speaking to them, communicating with them. Trying to see how we can follow their ambitions, their goals, their objectives, not just sit down and drink and party”.
The exchange comes at a time when youth engagement and crime prevention remain pressing issues in the Virgin Islands. Government statistics have shown rising concerns over youth involvement in drugs and violence, prompting calls from both sides of the political aisle for new approaches.
Dr Wheatley told legislators that the government will host a national crime summit in September.
“What all of us should do is come together as a community, as a nation, that’s what leadership is about. And say, how do we solve these challenges? Not trying to ascribe blame for political convenience. This is a challenge that we are all facing. How do we come together and solve it together?” he said.
Walwyn, who took over as Opposition Leader this year, has often accused the government of failing to connect meaningfully with young people. The Premier’s rebuke signals a growing clash over how the Virgin Islands’ leaders approach youth development and crime reduction, with the upcoming crime summit expected to test whether bipartisan cooperation can emerge on the issue.
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Petty, petty, petty people, with petty egos!
This don’t make no sense whatsoever. I hear the whole VIP clan came down by the Pier Park on a Friday. They came by Robbie bar that had the most people. Everybody around was an adult and obviously had to be drinking. They came and chat off the people to death and ain’t buy one drink I hear. Why they come there? Even pastor Karl was at the bar sitting down taking up space and ain’t buy one drink not even for himself. The people started to heckle them so dem shame.
Premier what you saying makes no sense to me
This may be the first time in history where, astonishingly, parents are being told to take instructions from their children. If a father does not realize his God-given authority to instruct his son when the boy has come of age to take responsibility in the home, he may resort to bribing him with a cookie just to get the simplest task done. But think of it this way: if you had enticed your wife to marry you only by your dancing, what would stop her from leaving once a better dancer comes along? Our children need more than entertainment and indulgence, they need structure, guidance, and discipline. What they also need from society is the political will to enforce laws that are strong enough to deter crime. And what we need, as adults, is the humility to admit that our current values and cultural practices cannot, by themselves, produce the kind of children we claim to desire. Too often, we avoid responsibility: we shun joining the police force, yet expect foreigners to secure our streets. We wait for the rainy season just to hand out petty contracts for bush clearing, as though survival, not purpose, were the ultimate goal. Let me be clear: there is dignity in landscaping, just as there is dignity in every form of labor. But there is no humility in wasting one’s God-given potential, especially when you have been prepared to be the best among your peers. My brother Walwyn could just have told us what the approach of most of us have been. If we are serious about a reset, let’s gather all the teachers who have taught in our schools over the past 20 years, and let a child psychologist give us a psychoanalysis comparing trends from 50 years ago, 20 years ago, and 20 years into the future. I assure you, the findings would jolt us into urgent action to stem this tide. For without our children, shaped with wisdom and discipline, we have no future.
Myron is so desperate for power everyone can see it but he should know by now no island man shall be premier section: voters of the bvi
Didn’t they come by bars at the Pier Park on a Friday? Why were they there like a pack of wolves. If the people drinking and you all come to disturb them with your political talk on a Friday of all days, Ayo couldn’t buy nobody not even one drink? You all couldn’t support the business owner? Wow
“I heard the leader of the opposition say we talk the young people to death and we didn’t buy anybody a drink,” Not surprised that the humor was completely lost on Slow-Andy.
Very surprised that a man with a wife and “some” girlfriends will be qualified to discuss Family values with the young people though.
Same for district 5
How dare Myron enter that realm of party, anytime you talk about party please leave natalio thing alone, party and traveling is his territory so don’t cross his path Mr walwyn.
Respectfully natalio would envy you either buying drinks or party in competition with him.
Walwyn was turning their campaigning at the pier park into humor. Why is the Premier even responding? Does he have nothing better to do with his time?
Why Natalio being so petty? The opposition leader just throw a little political humor in the debate and he got to respond to it? Myron really got them rattled man.
.. and then if they happen to have got everyone a drink.. the report would have been “ VIP buying drinks for votes.” It serve you people right.. I have seen other leaders of Caribbean islands.. dancing with their supporters, even wuking up on their wives in jam.. the people didn’t scorn them but supported them… here in the bvi if our premier dare to move one leg to a beat it’s negivtive.. he’s labeled as something ridiculous.. so I don’t blame them for not buying drinks.. this is the result when you criticize .. so ofcourse they will be very careful .. you people criticize everything.. Good or bad!
Who wan pull a bill cosby on them young boyz? dayum
i dont LIKE natalio but i agree with him on this.. buying rum for youths to get on there good side ain really helping.
what is being pushed and sort after by youths are drugs,rum,sex,violence,gangs,fast life,party life, half naked women/minors, guns etc
we need to shun these things and peer pressure them into not wanting to be associated with those things or that lifestyle. The more youths shun it and dont participate the rest will follow cuz them social they want to be where everyone is at
To the other….
This was a good laugh. Wheatley has a point, they should not be buying alcoholic drinks and as another commenter alluded to , the politicians would be criticized for buying drinks for votes. If all this is true they could be more sensitive since they are taking up space. It is commendable they are trying to connect with the public and be relatable but maybe they can sit or hand around outside around outside. If they must they can offer non alcoholic beverages if they are concerned about giving alcohol.
Ask about him when he was a teacher, man need to be on a list and it’s not a voters list!
Him and his momma ain’t the fastest
These Corrupt Politicians need to Stop their Tit for Tat Behavior. It is Sickening everyday, This One said That and That One said This. Man we got bigger Fish to fry instead of this nonsense with you all.
Not a Fan of Natalio. Not a fan of Myron. To my understanding Myron said Natalio was talking to the young people But couldn’t or didn’t buy them a drink. He did Not say an Alcoholic Drink. That is probably a Statement anybody else would make. Too much Stupid Narratives while our Territory is going to the Dogs. Come on people, Stop being so Petty and try and unify and set Good Example for the survival of our Youths and our Territory. I wonder how many Youths see Myron or Natalio as Role Models. Someone they would like to Emulate?
Natalio and his gang just cheap. That’s it and that’s all. Why they come to Pier Park on a Friday? Friday is when people go out to drink the most on the pier so they thought it good to come campaign on that day including Rev. Dawson. They know the people there, young and old would be drinking. They come to talk the people to death and couldn’t buy a drink for nobody? I hear they didn’t even buy a drink from themselves. Why they come down there for and now talking piss cause they get shame!
“ Drinks” is not referring to alcohol. Stop it Premier!! You were a partaker of the … Perhaps you still do with the random things you do to the unproductive activities you put in place.
Perhaps you need a Gin Sing drink
He is stating you all use the youths and cannot give a little treat
You sound so petty and you taught English 101 he he
Go sit down my friend
if you want the vote, show the youth how they benefit. the gov brass go behind doors with the big $ locals and buy drinks for them and bring policy to keep them rich and make them more.
what about the youth, most of who have little money and opportunity.
stand up and demand the bvi not run for 12 families and 1000 people, out of 30,000 citizens!
Slowanday prefers to buy them ..
Just like they did last election in the 7th
JU- ANN ( AKA ) WIGGIE , LEAVE THE MAN ALONE WHY ARE YOU SO OBSESSED WITH HIM ? IF OR WHEN HE BECOME A PREMIER OR NOT , WHAT THAT HAS GOT TO DO WITH YOU ? OR WHETHER HE FROM AN ISLAND / DO OWN HERE OR ARE YOU IN CONTROL OF THE PEOPLE AND CAN DICTATE TO THEM WHO TO VOTE FOR ? DON’T YOU HAVE ANYTHING POSITIVE TO DO BESIDES WRITING & BLOGGING THE SAME SH*T ON PEOPLE WHO HASNT DONE YOU ANYTHING / THATS THE SIGN OF A PSYCHO / GET YOURSELF CHECKED OUT / YOUR WIG MUST BE MOLDY
Yeah Friday night with the * in tow….Walwyn that is.He even used to show up down Loose mongoose,in the early Cline days..Rabbit curse him a night lol.They like too be in thing you see.