Disappointing turnout @ first Constitutional Review consultation meeting- Hon Malone
“I just came from West End where they had the first consultation of the Constitutional Review Commission. I wish to thank those persons who came out, but I would like to express my somewhat of a disappointment in terms of the number of persons coming out,” Hon Malone stated as a caller to the Hot Seat radio show on ZBVI 780 AM on Wednesday evening.
Approximately 30 persons showed up for the meeting that was also not live-streamed.
‘We have to take responsibility for mistakes’- Hon Malone
The Opposition Member said the new constitution would take the Virgin Islands forward for the next 30 to 40 years and it was crucial that Virgin Islanders take the consultations very seriously and have a strong say in what will ultimately affect their lives and generations to come.
He also said people should not look at the negatives, especially coming out of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) and make that a reason to not participate in the constitutional review consultations. Additionally, he said the Virgin Islands has had many successes and that is what people should be focusing on.
“We did a lot of good things…We can’t just express only the negative part of it. We have to correct them, yes…we have to take responsibility for them..but we have to work in terms of preparing our Virgin Islands for all of those persons who have toiled from the 1940s, 50s, 60s, straight up to [now] and for those still yet to come.”
‘Stockholm Syndrome’
Hon Malone said the people also have a responsibility to make it enshrined in the constitution that leaders must be held accountable.
He said this should be the way forward, rather than opting to go back into colonialism.
“We don’t want to hold the Stockholm Syndrome [mentality], whatever the British do to us we have done it to ourselves, no. We have done a lot of good things. What about that? So we have to express those good things we have done and we have to lay a path that says we have to put provisions in the constitution and make leaders in the present and the future more responsible…and put it in the constitution.
Stockholm syndrome is a theorised condition in which hostages develop a psychological bond with their captors during captivity.
“But we cannot go back to 1949, we cannot go back to 1967 and so forth. We have come too far and we have done too much,” Hon Malone said, while cautioning that Virgin Islanders must be mindful of the messages they send out.
‘This thing is serious’
Urging the people of the Virgin Islands to make it their duty to participate in the consultations, Hon Malone said the people must play a part in creating a Virgin Islands Constitution that everyone can be proud of.
“No matter how poor the turnout is in the beginning. We have a duty to go out there. You have to use your platform to encourage people to participate in it, because once the book is closed and the consultation is done and the review comes in that only two people showed up here, three people showed up there, four people showed up over here, the people of the Virgin Islands are not interested in anything concerning the constitution, so we in the UK could put whatever we want in it and when that is done then the same voices come back and tell you did not tell me this thing was so serious.
“Well, I am telling you now, this thing is serious.”
He added that most of what is on record for the CRC to consider has originated from the Commission of Inquiry, "but that is what they want, but what about what people want? They must get their voices heard, they must get represented and we must be able to do this together?” Hon Malone pleaded.
Call a big meeting @ Multi-Purpose Sports Complex- Julian Gordon
Meanwhile, the Host of the show, Mr Julian Gordon, said one of the first things that should have been done was to have a big town hall meeting at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, which he said is a most central area.
“Bring the Ministers, bring the other Representatives, and bring other persons that you want to speak and address the Constitution matter and come and invite the public en masse to come and sit there. You could fit 1500 people in there and when those 1500 come from all over the Virgin Islands and when they go back and talk about it with members in their constituency and other persons they are associated with the message will go forth.
He also said the Commission needs to do better to organise and promote the meetings so there is more participation.
Meanwhile, the CRC has planned an official launch of its consultation meetings at 3:00 pm today, November 11, 2022. The launch is expected to be live-streamed on the Government of the Virgin Islands’ Facebook page.
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26 Responses to “Disappointing turnout @ first Constitutional Review consultation meeting- Hon Malone”
Boss you terrorize the BVI people with illegal vaccine and now acting as if we should forgot how we was lockdown like chickens with police on our necks. That kind of leadership was slavery minded while y'all sell outs was collecting the bag secretly on the graves of our friends and families who lost their life carelessly. The BVI people needs accountability with the d**** sentence.
Stop trying to lay the blame on the UK and the CoI.
Most citizens of this Overseas Territory of the UK know who are those that got us in this gigantic political mess. You are not willing to admit to this truth, that the overwhelming reason why we are in the huge (gigantic) mess we are now in. So allowed me once again to tell you, bellow:
The main reason why we are now in the huge political mess, is because over a period of many years of political mismanagement of our finances by our past and present leaders, though no proof is known of them all individually.
Constitution review at this time can not remedy this detrimental injustice against us. Justice must prevail over injustice.
We are in desperate need of better governance for the people of the British Virgin Islands, beginning time, now.
"Righteousness exualt a nation". Political unaccountable of its finances proves dishonesty, and lack of respect to those it is due. Honestly remains the best policy, here, there, and everywhere all of the time.
tune in to a broadcast from house of assembly and the political leaders hardly speak about future developments for our people and our country
Always some long stupid talk about what happened in the past: there have to be a change look at who trying to speak on behalf of of our people on Facebook and radio talk shows makes you want to vomit
EVERY single politician in the BVI is not a politician. They have no clue what they are doing. You lot are INCAPABLE of running a country. Your impeccable track record of being the most idiotic and stupid persons in a Government isn’t enough to show you that? The fact that this country is 2 decades behind the rest of the world isn’t enough to show these clowns that?
Please hurry suspend the constitution. Maybe at some point persons with some level of intelligence can help this stagnant rock move.
it is amazing how our brothers and sisters that reside in this territory from the west indies can down press.....
however those europeans got us so mix up ,mix up; all manner of community meetings, talk shows; Facebook, and pocket
mr white simple submit his documents; them aint show up as yet(run with dat fu now ✔️????
set of cowards in our own land where our forefathers suffered under the united Kingdom however grand pa and grand ma came out very victorious( the slave master were here back then
The C O I simply sent the documents via FedEx and very man jack trembling.....wait till he touchdown at Beef Island in the private jets
we talk to much, exposing yourself to the former slave traders( old folks always reminded me as a boy that silence is golden....shut mout catch no flies(some of us from right here mouth full of flies
The Constitution section 15 talks about "Protection Of Rights To Personal Liberty" (e) For the purpose of preventing the spread of an infectious or contagious disease:
Long and short of the story is that no one should be forced or conned into taking a medical experiment against there free will. It is wrong but no political leader defended the constitution then so what was the point of having it.
The Constitution needs to be respected by all.