Uphill task in removing government
Opposition members have agreed that attempting to remove the government through a no-confidence motion would be difficult.
During a recent press conference, Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton and other Opposition members expressed concern about the state of the territory under the current administration. The lawmakers shared their plans to seek public support in efforts to bring about change.
Skelton explained that the Opposition submitted a no-confidence motion, which contained 20 clauses highlighting various issues the territory is facing. These issues ranged from economic struggles to inadequate governance and lack of transparency.
“The Premier and Minister of Finance has governed in such a way that has led to a bleak economic outlook for the territory,” Skelton said. He pointed to the government’s handling of public resources, such as the recent underestimation of the salary increase for public officials by $20 million, which he described as a “significant burden” on the BVI.
Despite these concerns, however, Skelton admitted that successfully passing the no-confidence motion would be difficult.
“The Opposition will have their say, but the government will have their way,” he declared. Skelton said the Opposition would need to persuade at least one government member to change their stance for the motion to succeed.
With the government currently holding a majority in the House of Assembly, it is difficult for the Opposition to tip the balance.
Opposition members stressed that their goal is not just to criticise but to hold the government accountable and encourage better governance.
Meanwhile, Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn argued that the only people who can remove the government from office besides what the Opposition is doing are the voters. He urged the public to engage with their district representatives and hold them accountable for the conditions in the territory.
While the motion was initially removed from the House of Assembly’s order paper due to procedural reasons, Skelton reassured the public that it had been resubmitted for future consideration. The Opposition also plans to engage with residents across the territory to gain broader support for their cause. They believe that the current government is failing to address critical issues such as road repairs, public safety, and economic development.
The outcome of this motion remains uncertain, but the Opposition is firm that it is time for new leadership to address the challenges the BVI is currently facing.
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The reality is that the populace is between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. On one hand we have a Government working with the UK to put a noose around their own neck, at the same time skirting the COI transparency and accountability provisions on the other an Opposition that can’t even make a proper submission to the HOA.
While the UK are getting what they want placed in all of these rushed legislation so are the Government concentrating as much political discretionary powers in Ministers. We will take decades to come out of this. The timelines are so short now both the UK and Government will have secret talks in London and compromise on each other’s positions. The Prince will return to a heroes welcome as the Order is lifted proclaiming himself saviour of the Blessed Virgin Islands. Meanwhile the cat and mouse game between the UK and government will continue to the disadvantage of the people.
On the other hand we have an opposition who can’t even read the rules properly and make a submission to the HOA to debate a motion. A motion mind you which is well written, valid, and represents the opinion of a large proportion of the population and actually needs to go forward if even for the historical record. They get caught napping on the job. Easily outwitted. Are they ready to lead? They can’t even come together and decide amongst themselves and make a proper submission to the HOA. They are further outwitted by the Government to suspend questions “for the good of the country” essentially putting our democracy on hold.
Dissolving the HOA, which mind you is not going to happen, and calling a snap election will only reshuffle the same cards with no real difference. Here we are between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. SMH
lol. That’s where we are at.
THIS IS THE WORST CONDITION THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN IN BESIDES THE DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY THE HURRICANES IN 2017
Why doesn’t the opposition get an online petition going for the removal of these 2nd graders running government?!?!?
I get it that most persons will not want to write their names for fear of retaliation/victimization, however; this horse and pony show needs to be halted before the end of 2024.
Enough is enough and if the so-called “honourables” on the government side do not see their failings; then the public needs to give them: DAS BOOTS!
Rather than complaining people need to be thankful that we are not in Haiti, Palestine or South Sudan. Everywhere have problems and the VI is no different. Even the UK has problems. We need to sit for a minute and realise how blessed we are. Yes things could be better, the road we drive on could be better, our general infrastructure could be better but guess what, 99.99% percent of us have a place to shelter at night, food on our tables, dont have to worry whether a drone or fighter get will bomb us or our homes. Give thanks to God for His goodness for so far protecting us from the ravages of another Irma.
You know what you right… even though our national budget is a half a billion dollars every year and we still dropping in potholes every 2 feet or can’t bathe after 6 or have to inhale garbage smoke all the time because we won’t buy an incinerator and watching crime and poverty rise we should just be humble quiet and thankful we don’t have bombs dropping on us.
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 could have been and should have been a Red-Letter Day in the History of the Virgin Islands. Unborn Generations would have been able to applaud their Fore-Parents and read about this date in years to come. The Hon. Leader of the Opposition blundered in NOT including the people of such an undertaking so that an organized Body of Voters and others could have and would have been right there with such a movement. Secondly, The Hon. Speaker blundered in NOT referring the Hon. Leader of the Opposition to take note of the Order Papers.
It is plain to see and any Honest Citizen can admit that this territory is stuck in a Rut. We are not progressing. It would interesting to see the Report that the UN Mission will produce. We have a Government that has NO regards nor respect for it Citizens. How can you say that you are going anywhere and speaking on behalf of the People of this territory when you do not include the People of this Territory? The VIP Government is NOT a Government of INCLUSION of the People. As the Late Hon. Carvin said: The People are kept in the Dark, and it’s true. NO Conversation with the Citizens of the Territory. How long can this be allowed? Then again, If the People don’t make the change, it means they are satisfied with the status quo. The Wheels are already in motion. There will be a change soon. With New Elections people will be free to choose who they think are qualified to move this Territory forward, taking the Citizens with it. All is NOT Lost…
Not really. Next election put up good candidates. But check first they truly with you and not there like Lorna, who took the people’s votes and then cheated them.
Election needs no uphill struggle. What it needs is honest, upstanding!decent people that we can vote for. Why is that a struggle in the VI??
TO MANY CHIEFS AND NO INDIANS RUNNING AROUND ON THE VOLCANO FORM ROCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN.EVERYONE IS SCRAMBLING FOR HEAD HONCHO POSITION.INDIANS ARE MUCH NICER.
Is everyone against the Premier? So, everyone let him do what he wanted to, without saying a word and holding him accountable with checks and balances and now everybody screaming their heads off. Everyone should be held accountable. All. Everyone doing a bunch of stupidness because they let position and power go to their heads. That’s a regular occurrence with all politicians. Fix the damn place as the people expect and give them ability to do their jobs, and stop making them feel incompetent. Freaking unreal, this place.
Holding politicians accountable is not what we do here. That is and has been the root of the BVIs woes for a long time. It’s become an accepted way of doing things. Going into politics here is a wealth building tool. Look at all the pushback on register of interest. Look at the govt’s procurement practices. And so on and so forth.