Bishop Cline slams Gov Rankin for suggesting majority in VI open to direct rule
Bishop Cline during a June 2, 2022, social media video made reference to a news article where it was reported that the governor reportedly said that the 'small number' of people who turned out to the two demonstrations against direct rule, is not a representation of the wider community.
“Well, I don't know where the governor lives and where he's getting his information because clearly the governor is disconnected from this community if he thinks that the turnout at the demonstration was an indication that somehow the BVI is ready and willing to accept direct rule.”
Bishop Cline said the Governor has taken a very ill-informed position, "if that's what the governor is suggesting, and I had to come on here and say to the people of the Virgin Islands, 'What happens when you don't stand up? What happens when you don't show up? What happens when you don't speak up?...you give someone else the right to speak for you.”
The popular clergyman added that the Governor is trying to send out a narrative to the UK that they have the backing of the people of these Virgin Islands to impose direct rule.
UK trying to cause division in VI - Bishop Cline
He said the narrative is to cause division among the people. “Divide and conquer is the oldest strategy in the book, and to put us against each other while we're fighting.”
“I had to remind the governor that you are not just the governor representing the UK, you are the governor of the Virgin Islands and the interests of these people should be at heart, but for him to indicate that the small amount at the demonstrations is that it is not a representation of the wider BVI community when it comes to direct rule, that’s delusional and I will say it again.”
Bishop Cline added that in meetings with UK Minister Amanda A. Milling and the BVI Christian Council, youths groups and a cross-section of the community, persons indicated that direct rule is not an option.
“All of us have said on many occasions to the governor, to our elected officials, there are some recommendations coming out of the CoI, out of the 45 that we believe has merit and if implemented and when implemented, will strengthen good governance, will provide accountability and transparency and we are willing to work towards that,” he added.
Mr Cline indicated; however, that the accepted position is that direct rule and a suspension of the constitutions will not be an option moving forward.
There have been reports; however, that the proposal sent to the United Kingdom by the Unity Government essentially yields to direct rule without the suspension of the VI constitution, since the Governor will be the all-powerful person.
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60 Responses to “Bishop Cline slams Gov Rankin for suggesting majority in VI open to direct rule”
NO UK DIRECT RULE
when london shows up she will be very dangerous especially towards the citizens on this British overseas territory
have the governor of this overseas territory scheduled any meetings in our districts to hear the actual voice of the negro folks
It isn’t that we want uk direct rule it is that we recognise we need to clear out all the rubbish and get some transparency and some support to develop good and fair governance
Governor we trust you to do what you think is right for everyone that lives in VI
These are modern days and we will not surrender our Territorial integrity to the British who are masquerading as savior. I am totally offended with such statements by the governor. The British needs to clean their houses before venturing into other countries as protector of Democracy. Total Nonsense.
Hopefully you invested well and kept your nose clean during the gravy years of easy government money.
Our only true resource is our children and we have shown our children over and over again that we just don't care. Look at the state of our schools... (unless we can make money off them...by arming them).
Fish? Don't make me laugh. You can see the gigantic Japanese trawlers to the North every winter.
Natural beauty? These are desert islands- Just look around. If we wanted to preserve, there would be solar RO reservoirs at the top of every bay.
What do they want from a territory with a government that spends a THIRD OF A BILLION DOLLARS every year for almost 10 years and has NO INFRASTRUCTURE?
Do we pay taxes to the UK? And yet, every time there's a disaster they send ships and support and money. When they offer more money, we say no because they demand (Lord have Mercy!) accountability.
Get real. They want us out: O-U-T. What the UK wants is the world to see 'they tried' before they jettison our butts.