Walwyn downplays latest claims of opposition disunity
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn
Speaking at the Opposition’s press briefing, Walwyn said communication among members continues through established channels and insisted that the absence of some colleagues should not be viewed as evidence of disorganisation.
“I don’t see it that way,” Walwyn stated when asked about perceptions of a fractured Opposition. “All of us were elected by a district… and regardless of whatever personal feelings or issues we will be having, the first and foremost responsibility that we have is to our constituents,” he explained.
He said Opposition members were informed of the press conference and an earlier preparatory meeting via the group’s regular communication channel. “The members who are present with me are the members who responded, the other two did not respond. You will have to ask them about that when you see them,” he stated.
Walwyn emphasised that the Opposition’s aim is to hold the government accountable rather than engage in political squabbles. “We are not here to oppose for opposing sake, but when we see things that need addressing, it is our responsibility to bring those things to the fore, not to embarrass the government but to push them to be better,” he said.
Walwyn added that both Ronnie Skelton and Marlon Penn participate in legislative committees and engage in dialogue, even if they were not present at press conferences.
Territorial At-Large Member Stacy “Buddha” Mather supported Walwyn’s comments, noting that disagreements and varying attendance at meetings are part of the democratic process. “Within families, we don’t always agree on everything, but we have to walk with each other and we have to let our voices be heard,” Mather said.
Mather also argued that the public should allow absent members to explain their own positions. “The chairs that are empty today, please let the representatives and the Honourable members have the respect of having those questions posed towards them,” he urged.
District Two Representative Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull echoed the sentiment, adding that he too supported the Opposition’s collaborative efforts.
The press conference followed a string of recent Opposition engagements focusing on the constitutional review process, economic policy, and public sector salaries. It comes amid renewed scrutiny from sections of the public and media regarding Opposition cohesion following a no-confidence motion earlier this year, which saw uneven attendance among its members.
Despite those concerns, Walwyn maintained that the Opposition remains united in purpose. “Those of us who are here recognise our responsibility to our constituents. We take it very seriously,” he stated.
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Ronnie and Marlon deserve each other. Two low energy people who are both suffering from entitlement. When things don’t go their way this is the way they behave? When Ronnie was leader of the opposition, Myron showed up and participated in the press conferences despite being on another party and despite Ronnie forming PVIM after losing the NDP leadership to him. I have lost all respect for both of them. And what Ronnie did during the vote of no confidence was disgusting. I will not be voting NDP sorry.
for the stunt ballhead and ants pulled, sorry for mather, they right. it is better to have peace and work as one than to have turmoil working under pretense. we are tired of the hypocrisy.
Press on alliance. Leave those entitled children where they are.
Regardless of what has happened between the opposition, if a press conference is called all members should show up to represent the people who elected them. It should not be about personalities. Leadership calls for maturity. You show up even when you don’t want to. That’s maturity. The only reason why they don’t show up is because Myron is the leader and they believe that because his parents are not from here he should not be in that position. That has to be the only reason because Myron is more of a leader than both of them combined.
Skelton just a badminded old man period
THAT WAS SIMPLY PUT / LEAVE SANDFORD & SON ( AKA ) THE WANNABE ENTITLED ONEZ ) WHERE EVER THOSE TWO HYPOCRITES ARE
I like how Myron answered the question. Not because two people don’t take their responsibilities to the public seriously enough to put aside their feelings mean that the opposition is divided. If they want to behave so let them do so. The Alliance alone to me is doing more than when the 5 or 6 of the opposition was working together.
Marlon making Ronnie who has nothing to lose drag him down and in the end with the help of John Cline and the others Ronnie will replace Marlon as the leader of the NDP. Watch and see
Ronnie and Marlon would quicker align with VIP to make sure the alliance does not succeed. The signs are already there. Ronnie sat down and did not debate and abstained from a motion he himself brought before. To me that was a big red flag. It shows me that he don’t care about the people right now. All he cares about it to make Myron fail and if it takes supporting Sowande who we all
Know is already a failure then he will do it.
strupes. VIP must go.
Both NDP and VIP are going to form a coalition government to avoid this dude becoming Premier.
And for one simple reason. His parents are expats. That is a shame.
Will never be Premier here…Bottom line.
But he is the best one for the job to be honest.
there are others born in BVI who respect bvislanders more than some. we will never forget. Give the top to Mather; flip the coin.
Only those like the current American Premier is who ayo like.
We want somebody to represent Bvislanders
You sound soo stupid
Can’t lead 5 men yet thinks he alone can lead government.
If big, grey Ronnie want to act like a little child when he almost 75 years old, what could Myron do about that? If Marlon still in diapers, what could Myron do about that? Myron don’t study those people. You and the Alliance push forward.
Leaders lead people and the people follow them.
Ronnie is the one I see acting like an adult. Keep cheering Walwyn with his nonsense and them blame everyone when he doesn’t get what he obviously wants. You cheerleaders must think that you all will be the ones to form government with him.
I believe some of you people are on something. A press conference is called by the opposition. Ronnie doesn’t show up because he is in his feelings about losing his position and it’s Myron who is doing nonsense? You on crack or something?
If I was Ronnie and Marlon I would not join them either. There is party process and maybe if they had allowed the process to work these concerns and conversations would not have been necessary. It speaks to Alliance’s want for power; that’s it; that’s all.
Ronnie acting like an adult by not debating and abstaining from a vote of no confidence that he tried to bring? By not attending opposition press conferences? That is Ronnie adulting? GTFOH with your crap mehson. Stop defending piss and if Ronnie is your friend or family tell him man up. He too old to be acting like this.
Leadership requires conflict resolution. Walwyn needs to know that. And talk face to face with his foes so they can be allies. As a matter of fact, you know what. Keep doing things how you all are doing things, why should I offer any advice, I am just a local virgin islander who wants a functioning opposition
They are all old school D**ty HOA13. No one can vote for any of them. Keep the list handy. They allegedly stole your money.
De Castro, Sharie
Dawson, Karl
Fraser, Julian
Hodge-Smith, Luce
Mather, Stacy “Buddha”
Penn, Marlon
Rymer, Kye
Skelton, Ronnie
Smith, Lorna
Turnbull, Melvin
Walwyn, Myron
Wheatley, Natalio
Wheatley, Vincent
I think we just like to hate on our politicians sometimes. The whole of the public workers get big raise and we not complaining about that. We don’t even know how much they get. I hear some get double what they used to get pay. We say not a word.
The leaders who we calls for every little problem get a raise and now they thief our money? The rest of the public officers thief our money to? We over doing
there is disunity in the Government itself. District 5 has to go. the most wicked holding sankey sunday and victimizing people.