Elvis J. Harrigan writes Governor to confirm support for Hon Fahie
It was this news site that first and accurately reported that some 6 defeated candidates who ran on the VIP ticket in the 2015 general elections had signed a petition to Governor John S. Duncan OBE in support of senior VIP member Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) to be the Opposition Leader.
This was after a nasty fight developed between Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) and Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) over the post of Opposition Leader following the elections where the VIP only obtained 2 out of 13 seats, keeping them in the Opposition in the House of Assembly.
Our newsroom’s sources close to the VIP was told that Hon Andrew A. Fahie had expressed an interest in becoming the Leader of the Opposition and Hon Fraser, who is the duly elected Chairman of the VIP, believes that he should hold the post as he heads the majority party on the opposition side of the isle.
Under the Virgin Islands Constitution 2007, the issue of political party does not play a role in the pick of the Opposition Leader as all that is required is a majority in the Opposition to advise the Governor in writing who will be their Leader.
However, according to the same source, Hon Fahie refused to go along with Hon Fraser as the Opposition Leader, therefore there remains an impasse.
The VI made history on June 23, 2015 when for the first time the Legislature was convened without an Opposition Leader. Governor Duncan has given the two warring factions a month and a day to see if they could break the impasse.
Harrigan for Fahie; placed it in writing
While the petition was being signed, Mr Harrigan was at the time overseas and had asked his Committee Chairman Mervin Charles to sign for and on his behalf, which he did, according to the letter obtained by this news site.
However, on his return to the territory last week, Mr Harrigan went a step further to write Governor Duncan to confirm his support for Hon Fahie to be the Opposition Leader and advised that he had authorised Mr Charles to sign on his behalf.
The letter was obtained by this news site through our sources inside the coup plotters’ camp.
Fraser caused us to lose, candidates signed letter to Governor
Outside of Harrigan, the other candidates signing the letter supporting Hon Fahie to be the Opposition Leader were At-Large candidates Irene F. Penn-O’Neal and Sharie B. De Castro, and District candidates Elton L. Sprauve, Oleanvine Pickering-Maynard, Elvis J. Harrigan, Andrew A. Fahie, and Zoe J. Walcott-McMillan.
Many party insiders said this move could be the beginning of the end of the 42-year-old VIP. Many of the candidates have blamed Hon Fraser for their loss at the polls as it is alleged that they were told on the campaign trail by the voters that people could not vote for them because Hon Fraser was the Party Leader. This news site understands this was one of the main driving reasons behind the signing of the letter.
VI political history
Looking at the Virgin Islands political history in the last 20 years, no party leader has ever been ousted once losing an election. In 1999 to 2003 the VIP won the election with then Hon O’Neal as Chief Minister. Dr Smith of the losing National Democratic Party (NDP) served as Opposition Leader.
In 2003-2007, the VIP lost to the NDP under veteran legislator Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, and he retained his post as Opposition Leader.
In 2007-2011 the VIP came back and won in an 11 to 2 landslide with Mr O’Neal serving as the first Premier. Dr Smith of the losing NDP was the Opposition Leader (2007-2011).
In 2011-2015 the NDP came back and won in a 9 to 4 result and Mr O’Neal remained as Opposition Leader of the losing VIP.
On June 8, 2015 to current, the NDP was given another term in office with an 11 to 2 majority and for the first time there are attempts to oust a party leader. It remains unclear the support in the VIP and the country for Hon Fahie as Party Chairman or Opposition Leader.
.png)
Follow Us On
37 Responses to “Elvis J. Harrigan writes Governor to confirm support for Hon Fahie”
When NDP was defeated 11 - 2, Dr. Smith had the support of Dr. Pickering and was supported as Opposition Leader. And this is the case with the leaders of losing parties noted in the news story above.
Fraser does not have the support of his colleague and as such has not been declared Opposition Leader.
All I see is that both individuals are putting forward arguments on why he should be Opposition Leader
- Fraser - I am the leader of the party in Opposition.
- Fahie - I command the support of the majority of members (whether they won or not) of that party.
I do not see any "coup", just party members that are facing reality, that the party may not win with Fraser at the helm. He should take the hint.
I don't think it will win with Fahie at the helm, either.
Thus the dilemna.
I mourn for the VIP, the party of HL Stoutt and TB Lettsome.
Help Dancia, Karl, Gerry or Colin.
Fahie, you screw your self and who VIP organisation. People are not going to look at you as a genuine person/leader. You are are a h*****rite, and people are always wary of hypocrisy. You too are dome now. Watch out. You too will never become premier. Juggy is a trator. What can we expect from him! God looks low but he is high. The only prayer Gods hears from sinners is ( ask forgiveness of our sins) then he would listen to our prayers. Even then, he he does not always give us everything we ask for, it might destroy us.
Every time something major in politics that is outside the norm happens in our politics we come on with blogs talking about what is embarrassing and what is shameful and the world is shame of us. Anyone who makes these comments obviously do not research before they post. These kinds of things happen ALL OVER just research, read and be more informed. And they will continue to happen when you have leaders who don't want to listen to the masses and try to hold on to power