First Lady, Hon Walwyn criticised for ‘divisive’ comments at HL Stoutt memorial
Mrs Smith was tasked with the honour of giving a general reflection of the life and legacy of the late legislator and nation builder Mr Hamilton Lavity Stoutt yesterday March 2, 2015 at his Twentieth Memorial Celebration. Her presentation was to be titled ‘We Remember’.
All was going well with the presentation until the point when Mrs Smith said, “Today there are many who find it fashionable or expedient to associate themselves with the late HL. Truth be told, and this might sound harsh, they secretly hope that his contributions to this territory, in the words of Shakespeare, ‘would be interred with his bones’. As I said, this might be harsh but in the words of the late Bob Marley, ‘who the cap fits-let them wear it’. Neither was I speaking to the Honourable R.T. O’Neal who was constantly at his side.”
According to one politician who did not wish to be named since he does not want the issue to be prolonged, said, “That statement was obviously for us, the many in this territory who are following the happenings of today, that statement of Mrs Smith, someone I respect very much but I believe chose the wrong platform for such a statement today, was directed at Honourable Julian Fraser with their back and forth on the BiWater issues when he (Hon Fraser) said it was her son who had signed a certain document,” said the politician.
“We must know time and place to politic. That was a short part in her half hour speech but the small things stick easier and that overshadowed all the other wonderful things she said because after that so many persons stopped listening and were chatting about that little statement,” added the politician.
Another was not too pleased with certain insinuations allegedly uttered by Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn. “We can say what we have to say at ceremonies like this and do it without the little jargons and insinuations. The time will come and it’s coming sooner than later for all the political speeches but in the meantime let’s give reverence to solemn moments like this.”
Hon Walwyn had said in part, ‘Our Chief Minister’s love for this territory went beyond his district while governing, his style was more progressive than the typical politician of that time and I dare say even some politicians of today. Though there were many opportunities for him to concentrate on appeasing those elected by him, he instead concentrated on building a country… Thankfully, our late chief minister was not a man like many but a true leader of his people.”
These comments from Mrs Smith and Hon Walwyn were deemed divisive, a criticism that has long been put to the ruling National Democratic Party.
United Kingdom-appointed Governor to the Virgin Islands Mr John S. Duncan, Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal and Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith and Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R3) were credited as being the more mature and professional speakers of the day.
Governor Duncan in his brief remarks said of the late Mr Stoutt, “He was the giant in our community, someone who led us through major political, social and economic changes with his often quoted statement, indeed his watch line – a community without vision will perish, he was a man that provided vision, a man who lived by that vision.”
Premier Smith, among other memorable things of the fallen hero, had said “Mr Stoutt always referred to his successful contributions to the VI as leadership, direction and determination.”
And on the part of Hon O’Neal, the stern yet humourous side of the late Hon Stoutt were told in several stories among which included that of him stating and showing that persons coming from other countries should not be allowed to do as they like, something Hon O’Neal said he learnt from the late Hon Stoutt.
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66 Responses to “First Lady, Hon Walwyn criticised for ‘divisive’ comments at HL Stoutt memorial”
what bulls..t .... is that! some of the local like yyourself do not have any respect for there own people or anyone else.
Hmmmm wow and tha was her ma... lavity what ah thing eh
Mistakes. Whatever it is you are referring to that we should remember , was it more than he has done for this Country .
It is sad how ungrateful some of us can be. Hold on to your grudge and see what that could do to enlighten or advance us as a people. The very party he co-founded has a slogan which says, Forward Ever, backwards never. Try moving forward and come with a vision as he had for advancing our country.
Its not what you say, its how you live. I can go on a stage and make myself look like and Angel with a halo and be the devil in hell...do not compare people by just their speech...
my fellow Virgin Islanders...let's face the truth...SOME B V ISlanders are simply a Despicable piece of human waste...these kind of people when caught should just simply be ext......
This/these was a political campaign speech, a precursor of what is coming. Nonetheless, election is just around the corner and the temperature is heating up. There will be much opportunities on the campaign trail to hurl political grenades and light fire under competitors. Though I would prefer hear about solutions to our myriad of problems. This type of speech was ill-timed. H. L. Stoutt must be really churning in his grave.
No taste, no class they do not know what to say when! the BVI has never been at this low point ever until that unscruperlios gang got power