Turnbull calls for VIP government’s removal
Citing ineffective leadership, Opposition legislator and Second District Representative, Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has argued for the removal of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration from office.
The VIP, helmed by Premier Andrew Fahie, has received flak on several fronts in recent weeks. But most particularly, it has come under fire for its perceived insistence on paying the $98,000 in legal fees incurred by House of Assembly (HOA) Speaker, Julian Willock following an aborted court injunction.
As protesters marched to the HOA building in Road Town yesterday, continuing their agitation against the government’s intention to pay Willock’s legal fees, Turnbull lent his support for the measure.
“We need justice, we need a referendum, we need this government to be gone and we need leadership that holds account to the people of the Virgin Islands and never loses focus of the sight of what the people want,” Turnbull said.
“We are calling for leadership,” Turnbull urged, “leadership that matters [and] leadership with integrity; not one that changes what they say depending on who is in front of them, not one that changes what they say depending on what reaction they want.”
Turnbull said the territory needs leadership to take it to the next generation.
“You can’t be talking about self-determination, you can’t be talking about independence and all the things that we’ve been talking about and our actions depict something completely different,” he added.
He also argued that the Premier is accountable to the people, but has ignored their voices in their wish for Willock to pay his own legal fees.
This is despite an online petition that garnered more than 1,200 signatures and a previous march against the government’s move.
The Second District Representative contended that the government has failed and said there are people in the territory who have had enough.
“You are going to be held accountable for your words, you’re going to be held accountable for your actions. The people of the Virgin Islands have had enough and I stand with the people,” Turnbull stated.
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Sorry Mitch, you are not the solution. You too need to be removed. What we need is a complete fresh start.
Mitch don’t mind them, continue to call then out. If you (mitch) also start failing the people who elected you, we will also call you out!! We are not playing games with the VIP & NDP.WE ARE SICK OF THEM<
In the UK we celebrate Guy Fawkes day. He unsuccessfully tried to destroy parliament.
Just sayin
Mitch I will never forget your disrespect to the preMier that help you get to where you are. On such an important day you so greedy to bring down others. You couldn’t let we enjoy this important holiday. You are a disgrace.
and his disrespect in the HOA to the Hon Speaker.
One thing for sure Mitch is not going to be no Minister or Premier
either your mother
How come you are not remembering the disrespect of the former leader of the opposition. Your memory seemed to be focused on one man and one incident. Well think again?
try go sit dung
To ok can you tell me who the h**l is more disrespectful than f** Albert that man is sole responsible for the entire bvi and the deep dark whole this country is in. F** Albert and the speaker cut from the same cloth they both …
He called for the coi and know he has all those nasty secrets thinking you wouldn’t get caught but you did blaming the dead how low can this man get.
He l** soo much hi lip gets shorter with every l** told which is many
Mitch stay strong and speak your mind do not back down the previous vip premier warned you all do not put Albert in charge now look what mess he did .
The last premier was garbage too… not as bad as this one… but still garbage.
and I approved this message
and see if you get a gold star for your approval
WELL ITS ABOUT TIME
We will save millions, trust me!
Mitch is on to something because he was the same one who called for Dr.Smith’s removal.
Does Mitch realize that his pursuit of instant power is what caused us to have a VIP Government? I really don’t think he is the right person to be speaking of removing anyone because his actions is what gave us the VIP. If he cared about the country he would have worked with the NDP Government and try to find common ground, in the best interest of the Country. Last elections Mitch and company had one goal and that was to ensure that the NDP did not form the Government and they got their wish. Funny to hear him only 2 years later singing a different tune. The people haven’t forgotten so as bad as VIP are, we do not want you.
NDP is responsible for themselves being removed. When someone is failing at their job you fire them and try someone else. Only a sheep would think that NDP deserved another term after BVI Airways, Pier Park and countless other stuff. The COI showed that even though they made the laws they breached them. Give them another term for what. Even though VIP wasn’t the savior we thought they would be it was the right choice not to reward failure.
The VIP only won because PVIM split the NDP votes, the statistics are very clear on this.
My comment wasn’t intended to be a VIP/ NDP thing. This is strictly about accountability. You cannot expect to fail and be rewarded. They had 2 straight terms how much more practice do they need to get better at their job.
It’s people like you who have this country in this mess. Look at Wheatley, he is a perfect example of why we are in this crisis, both parties sit in the cabinet and fight it out but some how they are all forced to agree to move forward with bad decisions despite the wishes of the voting population.
It’s people like you who vote based on emotions. I did not case one X for a VIP candidate so my heart and conscience are clear.
you real funny and from reading that s**t above you a (SHEEP) he cause us to have VIP wth is that man think for yourself vote for u and country
talking about removal, Mitch is the first one who needs to GO!!!!
Does mm turntail live in a glasshouse?
These jokers need to go. This is not amateur night at the Apollo
“You can’t be talking about self-determination, you can’t be talking about independence and all the things that we’ve been talking about and our actions depict something completely different,”
Take the word referendum out of the discussion. It is a blunt and dangerous tool. Britain will be diminished as a consequence of a referendum that went the wrong way. The BVI should not go down the path of playing Russian roulette with the economy. We are thriving as a British Overseas Territory. Bermuda is thriving as a British Overseas Territory and so is Cayman. The politicians need to stop the reckless talk. And it is reckless also for activists to call for a referendum.
Mr Turnbull:
1. Removal of an entire party from office is not a solution – that is the purpose of the election/voting process.
2. Yes. Justice dictates that the poison ivory in nature’s little secret garden MUST be pruned from the vine. Mr. W is that poison that MUST be removed. He cannot be allowed to hold the territory hostage to his personal ego. Not to mention his disrespect for the AG and the legal process of the country.
3. Should Mr. Premier Fahie acquiesce to the demands of one with such an inflated self-image as to compare himself with the likes of Dr. King and Malcolm X THEN we the people will and must stand with you Mr Turnbull in demanding the premier’s removal for *** and mismanage the people’s money.
In order to correct this willock issue I urge both Mr Turnbull and Ms. Jones to operationalize the adminissions of Frederick Douglas to “AGITATE AGITATE AGITATE.”
Darm if you do! Darm if you don’t! Can’t please everyone. The Territory is in turmoil due to lack of good leadership. As a Community People need to look at the Wide Picture and despite personal feelings realize that the Premier is NOT EFFECTIVE. It’s rather unfortunate that the Freshman Legislatures have to bear the stigma of bad governance because of the Premier’s inability to serve the People Morally, Ethically, Fairly and Inconspicuously.
Bad gamble Mitch. Placing all your chips on an issue to get you public support and didn’t consider the contrary result. You are becoming politically expendable.
A little self serving I would suggest, but, Mr Turnbull is certainly half right, the current government does need removing, and, probably will be once the COI is complete. But, we have tried both governmental parties in the past neither of which have been successful. Today, only option left is for the UK to take control and install some stability into the territory.
VIP is less than honest and straight up with the people, but they are doing some things right…VIP has the tourism industry looking up and hopeful…But my Issue is, yes, We can try another bunch. But Who?.
They are doing what’s expected to them – any government. We thrive with n tourism so what would you do if you were there correct get it back up.
district member maybe woke up on the wrong side of the bed: to sit with a political group for 8 years the very same group that to this the people have no idea where this aeroplane gone: were the sewage money went: no proper account for that school wall and we not even touching the pier park …..the uphold is no different from the thief…..wheel and come agin #2
NDP squander millions ayo worrying bout ah lil hundred thousand Mitch remove yourself cause u was part ah the same NDP wa give away millions
This young man will be our leader soon he saw the lost leader bad spending habits and speak out for the betterment of the country,
He did his duty.
VIP ALL THE WAY