Walwyn slams ‘shameful’ lack of support on no‑confidence vote
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has condemned what he called a “shameful” failure by members of the House of Assembly to support a no‑confidence motion against Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s government.
Speaking during the July 31 sitting, Walwyn said the motion was an essential accountability measure.
“A vote of no confidence is an accountability tool in our parliamentary democracy. It is one of the few devices apart from questions and answer to questions that members of the opposition have to be able to hold government to account,” Walwyn stated.
He warned against misinterpreting such a move as political disunity. “Accountability should never be mistaken for disunity. They’re two separate and distinct concepts. On the contrary, it is essential to preserving trust, transparency, and collective progress,” he explained.
The motion collapsed after receiving support from one other member — Second District Representative, Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull. According to Walwyn, this exposed a troubling willingness among some legislators to prioritise party loyalty over the needs of citizens. “It’s a different ball game because we want to fit in. We want to feel as if we are a part, and that is shameful. That is absolutely shameful,” he lamented.
The Opposition Leader accused government members of being disingenuous and singing ‘Kumbaya’, despite the country’s dire state. “Then they come in here (the House of Assembly) and pretend as if all is well, because they don’t want to offend the premier,” he said. “Man, give me a break.”
Walwyn argued that the Virgin Islands is facing worsening conditions without adequate government response. “The living conditions in this country are worse than we have ever seen them in modern Virgin Islands. That is the truth, regardless of how you try to face it,” he said. He cited the stagnant tourism and agriculture sectors, inadequate water supply, and lack of inward investment as key concerns.
He also spoke about the struggles of the elderly and differently abled.
“Our seniors, the seniors of this country not being treated well. That is a fact… We have all of these seniors, these adult differently abled persons home, twiddling their thumbs doing nothing and a simple fix… we can’t do,” Walwyn explained.
This is not the first attempt by the opposition to bring a no‑confidence motion. Previous efforts also failed to advance, leaving the government intact. Under the BVI constitution, such a motion, if passed, would require the governor to revoke the premier’s appointment.
Walwyn concluded by urging colleagues to put people above politics. “Don’t be afraid to stand out… But don’t pretend it all is well when we know that people are not living good in the country,” he stated.
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Hon. Walwyn you did very well. It is because of you we know the terrible things that are taking place in the country. We are lucky to have you in the House of assembly. I watched as Ronnie Skelton abstained from the vote and I was deeply disappointed in him but not surprised. Just because he is not the leader of the opposition and Myron was the one who brought it he did not support it. That is small mindedness. He placed his dislike for Myron over the concerns of the people of the country. Shame on him.
What the hell difference would it have made besides satisfying your ego???
Why didn’t Hon Skelton debate the Vote of no confidence when it was almost identical to his?
One can conclude that Ronnie intentionally filed his motion incorrectly because he and Sowande are on cohorts.
You must be 12. Hon. Walwyn did very well in elucidating what is happening, but everything he said we already knew and any votes he got from the Opposition side would not have helped him. And he couldn’t even get his Alliance partners together and Hon. Skelton is the problem. Go sit down.
The motion was seconded by Hon.Mitch Turnbull… No other member debated the motion but it was seconded.
I t sadden me that black people as former slave forced by terrorism and religion still enjoy been ruled by a heavy hand, been treated badly and ignored by the premier for Vybz Kartel quarter million USD, and both member of Myron alliance team disappointed me, it’s like when Marlon sabotage the last motion of no confidence to go see the kangaroos in Australia, so too Stacy Mather claimed he had family emergency and Mitch turnbull came late, this is purpose because this was a months plan. The majority still believe in family and entitlement. But Myron historic speech will reverberate in history, because he did express the feelings and conscience of the common BVI man and woman.
The (3) members of the Alliance knew they would not have the support of both Ronnie and Marlon. They also were aware th at NONE of the VIP members and Lorna would side with them on this vote.
Turnbull and Mather both delivered their contributions which also shored up Walwyns’ position which is a collective one amongst the three gentlemen.
What the general public obtained form this vote were several crucial facts:
1. Skelton and Penn have hidden agendas
2. VIP front and backbenchers along with Frazer and Lorna will do anything to keep their gravy train rolling on! Even if it means breaking laws and causing pain and suffering to the masses.
Let’s see the spin on that yella tabloid rag site…
The hidden agendas moved
I am not a fan of Walwyn, but I recognize he is a smart man and a shrewd politician. Anybody who thinks that Walwyn thought this motion of no confidence would pass needs to get their heads examined. I truly believe that this motion of no confidence served the purpose that Walwyn intended. This is a stepping stone for a much broader strategy. Time will tell and I will be watching.
My analysis of the Vote of No confidence:
I believe it was as successful as it could have been. It would have never passed because the government has the majority. However it revealed something to me
1. Hon. Walwyn is best suited to lead the BVI now. He has a good grasp of the issues and he put the solutions forward. I can see he genuinely cares for the BVI.
2. Ronnie Skelton’s abstaining shows me who he is. When you have nothing left to offer you would destroy anything.
3. I regret voting for Lorna Smith. That woman has no shame whatsoever and she would do any and everything for power. She will not be getting my vote again.
4. I was able to see who was for the people and who was not. The VIP only interested in holding their jobs. That’s it.
If he is so well suited, tell him to run at-large
If you were to remove your personal biases, you will see clearly that he is the best suited. Which of the others is? He can run at large and win if people pay attention and not play their xenophobic games!
Doesn’t Myron hold the record for the highest number of votes ever given to an at-large candidate? I think he set that record in the 2015 elections. He got close to 6,000 votes. So Myron has been there done that if you ask me.
And as power hungry as many claim him to be he did not make a peep about being premier then. Dr Smith retained that status.
Tell Natalio to run at large. Remember he ran 3 times at large before and didn’t even get back his deposit.
We want an at large Premier. It is time
Boo hoo Myron. Go cry in your sandbox.
So Ronnie Skelton tried to bring this same vote when he was leader of the opposition. Now Myron Walwyn bring the vote as now leader of the opposition and Ronnie did not support it. ENTITLEMENT.
Ronnie mashed up NDP because he lost the party elections to Myron. He mashed up PVIM because Myron replaced him as Opposition Leader.
We see you Ronnie. We see you. You stink.
I AM TERRIBLY TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED IN RONNIE!!!
It is sad that the Deputy Speaker allowed 2 debates on the same motion breaking all established protocols.Only in BVI we praise this level of incompetence in these so called leaders.
Hope Myron got the message loud and clear we do not want any island man running our affairs
Which continent are you from. Antartica?
FYI The place Great Britain (Motherland) is an island. You should familiarize your brain on the world map. Imbecile like you should not be allowed to vote.
That’s why Ronnie going always be incompetent,he doesn’t have the Brains to think for himself and Marlon too is just a waste!!
Usually such bain mentality does not require a response, but yet others need a jolt of medication.
We agree with you. It takes “incompetence and no brians” to build a billion dollar business and become at least a millionaire from scratch.
Of course he is one of the few that inherited generational assets, but it how he developed it that proved he is “incompetent and brainless?”
Did you grow up with him on Old Main Street, romp al over town and did what boys do? Many did.
Hence, what is being spewed on media comments today about the respectable gentleman originates directly from the bowels of envy, jealousy and ignorance,from both his own locals and expatriates.
Ronnie has a God given role to play within the continued development of his country and people.
A once terminally ill child is today almost a middle age man thanks to God and the mind of (Mr. Skelton,) Ronnie.
People need tostop being filthy minded and get to know.
Well two things I will say from your post
1. When people have escaped death from sickness they should be more empathetic and caring for other people. I see none of these qualities in Ronnie. Instead from his actions yesterday I see a bitter, wicked and entitled old man.
2. The best thing for Ronnie overall is to retire because after yesterday I have lost every bit of respect I had for him. He is a much smaller man to me now.
Why the bitterness?
To get support you have to be willing to support others first.
I saw myron being very supportive of Ronnie when he leader of the opposition. I witnessed it during the debates etc in the House of Assembly. If Ronnie is not leading he has a problem and the truth is he does not have good leadership skills. ENTITLEMENT IS NOT LEADERSHIP.
He supports others in a big way. You want him to support Myron for you to see. He is being judged off that only because he is a big supporter of others.
Marlon less. Judd said. Let he go run his million dollar family empire and leave running a country to more capable and competent persons.
If you can run a million dollar family empire that is a positive thing. If you open several businesses and have to close them down, that shows a lack of management skills. What ain’t closed is struggling. Being a good speaker does not mean you can run an empire. The empires that great speaker tried to run are all melting.
It’s easy to run million dollar business when renting to government with getting conflict of interest contracts.,.
Poor BVI
What Hon. Walwyn run to make you feel he is capable other than his mouth? You have to be able to run a small business before you can run a big business with $500 million budget. Open your eyes and you will see that that is exactly what we re suffering from right now. A bunch a young people who know how to run their mouths and nothing else.
Hon. Skelton has nothing to prove in this area. He iknows exactly what to do, day 1. Experience speaks.
Ronnie is a big child. A big child who is entitled. This country is in a terrible state. Despite what the viP band wagon including desperate Lorna Smith say the country is the worse it has ever been. Ronnie had a chance to stand up for the people yesterday but chose his hatred and political jealousy for Myron over the love for the people. Ronnie, I think it is best you retire because I suspect that you will be very much embarrassed at the next election.
I SEE YOU GOT 2 NEW NAMES FOR 2025 ( LILLY & ELSA TO ADD TO PAT HOPE GOT DRESSES AND WIGGS FOR THEM TOO , YOU CAN BAD MOUTH WALWYN MUCH AS YOU LIKE , BUT YOU CANNOT EVEN WALK IN HIS SHADOWS • GO FREE THE DREW NOW
@Jack. Don’t worry we island people will talk dat at polls come next election.
The BVI, our home, is in a bad state. We all see. We all live it. We needed the people we elected to stand up for us against the government that is making life hard for us. It pain my heart to see that Ronnie Skelton sat down there and did not get up to debate to defend the people. And then when time came to vote he abstained which means he is in support of government’s performance. Yet turned around under other business to raise concerns that could have been better addressed during his debate on the vote of no confidence. I have lost all respect for Ronnie. He is petty and emotional. So the majority removed him as opposition leader and since he is not in charge he will support it even if it something good for the country.
How come there is all this disappointment for Hon. Skelton’s abstention and none for Hon. Turnbull and Hon. Mather’s absence? The devil must be in the details. Hon. Walwyn’s Alliance members were not there and did not debate the vote of no confidence, but they have not disappointed anyone it seems. In fact, I believe even Hon. Walwyn don’t care about them not being there as Hon. Skelton is always his focus. The devil and jealousy must be in those details.
Where was Hon. Turnbull and Hon. Mather? Hon. Walwyn said it plainly who he wants to be aligned with him. The word ‘Alliance” means a union formed for mutual benefit. He was not interested in aligning with Penn and Skelton, so he did not want their votes. Those votes in this instance that would have been non effective anyway. You cannot force persons to follow you down the street. Hon. Walwyn keeps stabbing persons in the back and expecting them to line up with him. Please, these are grown people you are speaking about. Hon. Walwyn is a talker just like the Premier. That does not mean he can manage this country’s finances. Let us look at what he has managed and what the Premier has managed. This country will not be going anywhere with this type of leadership, persons voting for persons with no experience, no positive experience and calling down those who have. We must be enjoying the rut that we are stuck in, so carry on.
Soon we will all see each other face to face along the road ways as we all walk when the roads become impassable and we can discuss these matters at length. See you then.
Wow! Whoever wrote this must be really desperate to help their family/friend look good and make others look bad. ENTITLEMENT
I don’t believe one word of what you just said. Have a safe and enjoyable festival though. You sound desperate btw
The qualities of Hon. Skelton were on full display that day. Hon. Mather and Turnbull offered their reasons for not debating. It is for the public to decide what they make of it.
However Hon. Skelton was present. For both the debate and the vote. The vote of no confidence was almost identical to the one he sought to bring before but failed to do so. He sat down and did not defend the people. To me this is not about Alliance or the NDP. It is about the people. He should have gotten up and defended the people. He then abstained from voting. Again he did not support the voices of the people. He placed his politics above the people. I do not see your point about Myron being jealous or against Ronnie. It is the reverse and you know this and you know it is connected to Myron’s family lineage. Ronnie has said and shown enough about his disdain for “island people”.
Ronnie broke up NDP because he lost a party elections fair and square to the child of island people. Let us talk truth. Talk about stabbing in the back. Not even the discipline to respect the outcome of his party elections.
Ronnie left to form the PVIM then dissolve the party all on his own over the radio without telling his members and supporters because two of his elected members decided to support Myron as leader of the opposition.
Ronnie was not effective as leader of the opposition and everyone knows this.
Let’s stop making excuses for people and creating false narratives like you have just done. Ronnie was present and his response was not in the interest of the people. He wanted to see Myron fail more than he wanted to see the concerns of the people be advanced.
Well then his friends, who aligned with him over everybody else should have been there to prop him up because we all knew that it was going nowhere. Hon. Skelton maybe many things but he is not a magician. But the motto of the Alliance is every chance you get, throw rocks at Hon. Skelton. Careful, because after a while when those rocks are not connecting, some people bend down, pick them up and fling those bad boys right back at you. The Bible says you reap what you sow. Some of you should know that and preach to the others.