We have to learn better negotiating skills — Walwyn
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has indicated that elected leaders need to sharpen their negotiating skills to effectively counter some of the arguments presented by the United Kingdom in its latest report on crime-fighting agencies in the BVI.
A major recommendation in the report is the transfer of key law enforcement bodies such as Immigration and Customs from the control of the elected government to the Governor. The UK argues that these agencies play a crucial role in national security and should therefore fall under the Governor’s existing responsibility for security matters.
This proposal has been firmly rejected by all 13 elected representatives, who view it as a step backward for a territory that continues to aspire toward greater self-governance.
However, Walwyn pointed out that the UK’s recommendation is constitutionally grounded, particularly in Section 60 of the BVI Constitution.
“The powers that are being used to take control of Customs, Immigration and areas that have traditionally fallen under the Premier is being done through Section 60 [of the constitution]. And the reality is that the argument is strong because you can’t deny that these agencies have a huge security component,” Walwyn said recently on The Alliance radio show.
Given the strength of the UK’s constitutional basis, Walwyn argued that elected officials must offer more compelling counterarguments to effectively challenge the recommendation.
“We have to learn to negotiate and put better arguments together. The argument that my grandfather’s navel string is buried here and I’m 10 generations removed from the plantation – all of that is true but for this level of arguments, we have to find sounder ways,” he said.
He further noted that instead of relying on perceived sentimental reasoning, leaders should draw on the preamble of the Constitution to emphasise the BVI’s aspirations for self-determination and local governance.
“Our words to him (the Governor) is that even though you might have that inherent authority based on Section 60 of the constitution, based on the preamble which sets out the aspirations of the BVI people, it is not the wise thing,” the Sixth District Representative said.
Elected officials have frequently used the argument of deep ancestral roots in the BVI as a means of resisting what they view as UK overreach. They contend that their heritage and local knowledge make them better suited to govern.
This ancestral argument is also often used to rally public support on contentious issues such as immigration policy and appointments to high-ranking positions in both politics and the civil service.
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One wall!
Continue beating a dead horse LOL.
1. Start by finding common interests: one of them might be good governance in this instance. Consider as any aspects as you can come up with. Have a cultural, political and social understanding of what is motivating all parties to negotiate.
2. Consider what a satisfactory outcome would look like for both parties. What will it take to get there? What are the obstacles? How might they be dealt with? What is the value proposition for both parties?
3. Focus on the issues being negotiated. Not personalities. Leave out the ad hominem attacks.
4. Negotiation is an iterative process. It takes time, effort and willingness to lose battles in order to win wars.
5. Trust is everything. Work hard to get it, and harder to keep it.
Finally an adult is in the room. Thank you Hon. Walwyn.
He went to the governor behind the government back
You really should try to educate yourself on government procedures before talking. These gentlemen are members of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. They have the right to meet with the Governor if they wish. As a matter of fact the previous leader of the opposition and other opposition leaders met with the Governor very regularly. Try to understand things before talking.
Myron in my view was the one of the most vocal and most strategic in the debate on this report. I listened intently to what he said and how he presented his concerns. He made clear that he was not in support of the powers that the governor was seeking to get or take back. It’s because of him that we learnt the most about what was in that document because many of the others either did not read the report or something. So I don’t understand your point about to suggest that a visit to the governor is a problem. Pick sense out of your nonsense please.
That, my learned friend, comes from demonstrating discipline in a structured learning environment, aka school. You are well aware of what masquerades in these parts as “education”; where individuals obtain “degrees” in order to get high paying jobs, which they are not qualified to do.
We do not need to get better at countering the arguements.
We need to get better at engaging with and solving the problems of crime and corruption.
You focused on the wrong thing.
Fix the problem that the UK has quite rightly clearly pointed out for us. You should be welcoming it, reading and understanding, and then coming up with a plan.
The only plan you have is to find better weasle words so you can carry on as you are.
AYO AINT SEE THAT THIS MAN IS TRYING TO FORM AN ISLANDMAN PARTY?
That’s the same thing Marlon said to me about the alliance.
I agree with what Myron is saying. When you listen to some of the debates in the House of Assembly you have to shake your head. The things that some of them say make you cringe. You have to beat the Uk with solid facts supported by evidence. You can’t do with emotional arguments that lack grounding in law.