Who betrayed BVI in 2007 constitution talks?
Junior Minister for Financial Services Lorna Smith has suggested that two members of the BVI’s own negotiating team blocked the territory from achieving greater constitutional advancement during talks with the United Kingdom in 2007.
Speaking in the ongoing House of Assembly debate on constitutional review, Smith said the BVI was close to securing a major shift — allowing the Premier, rather than the Governor, to chair Cabinet — but the team was divided.
“I have to say that two of the negotiators in that room — and two of the negotiators in this room today — will attest to the fact that we could have made a lot more advancement in our constitution were it not for two very strong dissenting voices. I ain’t calling on names. Who the cap fits,” Smith told the House.
Though she declined to name the dissenters, her remarks echoed what other elected leaders have said in previous debates: that internal divisions within the BVI team cost the territory a rare opportunity to secure stronger powers.
Her comments also add context to the repeated calls for unity ahead of the next round of negotiations with the UK. Still, her refusal to identify the two negotiators may draw scepticism from the public. Some residents have long complained that elected leaders shield each other at the expense of transparency, and this disclosure could fuel those concerns as constitutional reform remains one of the most consequential processes for the territory’s future.
Smith stressed that the issue of who chairs Cabinet is not symbolic, but fundamental to advancing internal self-government.
“The recommendation made in 2005 was that the Governor be simply informed of the business of Cabinet prior to its meeting, including being presented with all documentation, while the Premier be the chair,” she said.
She argued that the current arrangement — where the Governor chairs Cabinet but does not have a vote — gives disproportionate influence to the UK-appointed official.
“I’m always amused by the fact that the chair doesn’t have a vote. He has no authority but in my observation he’s the most powerful voice in Cabinet,” Smith said.
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But this time members of the HOA are trying to destroy the work of the Commission they had write a report.
A report that contains the wish of the majority of the people of our Virgin Islands
We all know it was Julian Fraser. Something is wrong with that man.
Fraser would betray anyone and anything for power. He told us in a press conference after the 2023 elections that he told the VIP that we not go with them unless he was the leader because they are incompetent. They gave him a car, a sash marked deputy premier and a few plane tickets and off he went with them.
2 of them with them said they were incompetent but where is the lie
Who did?
And I hope he remains to be the most powerful because of the ruthless corruption of the electorates. Also you should have the balls to name the individuals, you are no different bunch of crooks
Hon. Smith, if you going to point fingers go all the way and call names. Stating information that the public cannot fo4 sure out names too is irrelevant to even have rhe conversation at tvis time because, in 2007 you were not an Hon. Member therefore the information was shared to you via your Husband and for those same reasons are why all 13 Members should not be Voted back in because the same protocol of covering Members will continue. With a new 13 Members there is no aged protocol.
The members of this current House of Assembly who were members of the Legislature back in the 2007 talks would be Julian Fraser and Ronnie Skelton. Might it be one of them??
You would be surprised who it was.
JUST A COUPLE QUESTIONS , WASN’T GOVERNORS THERE WHEN STOUTT WAS THERE ❓️ / ARE YOU SAYING THAT THEY PULLED THE WOOL OVER HIS EYES ( THAT WOULD AN INSULT TO HIM AND ALL THAT HE HAS ACHIEVED FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE COUNTRY ) IF, WE ARE ALL ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND OUR HANDS ARE CLEAN , WHY ALL OF A SUDDEN
YHE GOVERNERS IS A HEADACHE OR GIVING SOME PEOPLE SO MUCH STRESS , THAT THEY HAVE USE LAME EXCUSES TO SCAPEGOAT THE GOVERNORS / WHAT KIND OF KNOWLEDGE THAT THESE NEW BREED OF WANNABE ARISTOCRATS CALLED POLITICIANS GOT THAT STOUTT DIDN’T HAVE ❓️ ) WELL WE HAVE ” MOSES ” CAN WE HAVE THE NAMES OF THE REST , WE ALSO KNOW THAT ONE IS CASTING OUT DEVILZ SO PLEASE GIVE US THE NAMES . THANK YOU
This is why when selecting persons to serve on these types of negotiating teams , they should be persons who has demonstrated neutrality and fair, non partisan approach over the course of public and professional lives.
Who Betrayed BVI in 2023 to Present for their own Greed? Look in the Mirror and Answer that Question.
Who Betrayed the People of BVI over 18 Months Now By Suspending the Trade Commission? Who Betrayed the People of BVI by Depositing 5 Mil Dollars in BOA?
One Must Think carefully before they open their Mouth to ask Questions, especially when one has Skeletons in their own Closet. Enquiring Minds Need to know.
The Premier cannot be the Persons chairing cabinet and head of House of assembly its too much power a dictatorship. Even in the United States the president does not control Congress or the senate where laws must be approve before coming to him.
And in Uk the Primeminister does not have control over the house of lords where Laws go before the King sign them into law. The Premier has the Executive and Legislative power thats why I dont understand the true reason why all this talk about independence.
the same politicians that going do it again this time lol. wym??
Anyone , any person who becomes a minister or other who becomes a millionaire, known oe unknown, is a thief.
Thereis noone who can becomea millionaire through government salaries.
Anyone who give themselves rediculous raises of government money is a thief.
There is a need for people like TRaore’ to run this country. People who can get things done not those who can steal.
We ave become a territory of thieves.
Look at the roads and decide who is for the people.
If i take a look at the HOA of 2007 vs 2025 there is only 2 names that are the same in both periods. Thing to talk.
Advertised government in the sunshine but never delivered. What’s new?
Was it not Lavity Stoutt who sat quietly and allowed the Wichams Cay and Anegada Agreement to go down. If it wasn’t for the likes of Lindy Ras Uhuru DeCastro and Noel Lloyd’s positive Action Movement where would we be today. Stop making up y’all own history and stick to the facts. I was totally astounded when I read the Arthur Hodge Court Transcript and there was no mention of him rolling Prosper down Belle Vue Hill in a barrel spiked with nails. This is the narrative that had been handed down for generations. We are creating a society of astronauts who live on their own planet no offense but cut the crap and get a damn life.
O neel and Phraser were the two.
When they realised what the ruling gov (NDP at the time) were getting thru with, they blocked what they could.
Now it is the whole HOA that is betraying the people. They have basically torn up the wishes of the people.
“voting has consequences”
hey mister wiggie I never said stoutt was an angel , and ( no man bis perfect , except you ) now which of these jokers can walk in stoutt’s shoes , including yourself , seems like your ego hmgot hurt / look in the mirror and and Holler at yourself ” boi I really need to get a lamb life – C ya
I think we need to take the photo of Lord honourable drug king pin premier down off the wall and put some mirrors up so they can all look at themselves a bit harder.
Anyone noticed they say they are gonna be more transparent but then we hear they trying to kick the Attorney General and Governor out of their meetings.
The math ain’t mathin
Won’t give names…Doesn’t have them, not true, just spreading poo. She’s learned politricks well
We knew Frazer, Ralph and Head Coach were the Judases. I believe Skelton went but when that meeting happened to change the Constitution they sent him to another mission in the UK. Just like they sent him away when Myron tried to take over the NDP.
I have to say that two of the negotiators in that room — and two of the negotiators in this room today — will attest to the fact that we could have made a lot more advancement in our constitution were it not for two very strong dissenting voices. I ain’t calling names.
Irresponsible comment.
Judas betrayed Christ and then you betrayed us in 2023.