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Gov Pruce dodged questions on ‘power grab’ by his predecessor Rankin!
After an informal session, the press was invited to pose questions to the UK Senior Civil servant on a variety of issues.
One question posed was whether he agreed with former Governor John J. Rankin, who attempted to get more powers for himself in what many described as a communism/socialist type move. The former Governor wanted the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to grant him powers to do as he wished, saying that the Government of the day was not moving fast enough to implement the Commissioner of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations.
Was he a hypocrite?
What was odd is that Mr Rankin himself had not fulfilled his own obligations under the CoI recommendations but didn't face any sanctions.
When asked by the press if he will keep the request in place for a power grab that Dr Natalio D. Wheatley’s (R7) Administration has labelled as undemocratic and unnecessary, Governor Pruce dodged the question, noting that “I have not yet conducted my first quarterly review. That will be coming later this month.” He also said he has the greatest respect for Mr Rankin.
When pressed again he noted that he wished not to “pre-empt” his upcoming end of May 2024 review.
Many in the House of Assembly from both sides of the isles have lambasted the former Governor's power grab attempt in his last days in office. In addition, both the Caribbean Community and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean State (OECS) also spoke out against the undemocratic move and viewed it as another attempt to recolonise the Virgin Islands (VI).
No one in favour of Recolonisation
Even the US Virgin Islands (USVI) Governor Albert A. Bryan Jr. condemned the move. Other British Overseas Territories have also done the same.
A one-man commission headed by Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom was set up with the only conclusion that the VI was corrupt and must be placed back under direct colonial rule by taking away the constitution from the people.
The Inquiry did not touch any portfolio subjects under the governor, such as the civil service, the courts, the police, and the Governor’s Office itself.
History has shown that whenever residents are in charge of the VI, they continue to build and empower its people and economic and social progress is made, notwithstanding mistakes and shortcomings are also made.
Many persons, including the Opposition Leader Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), stated that the CoI report was one-sided and that it has destroyed many institutions in the Territory. A few weeks ago, a Member of the Constitutional Review Commission Rev Dr Melvin A. Turbull Sr, the senior pastor of the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church, warned residents against the “false narrative spread by the Col report that we are all corrupt.”
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17 Responses to “Gov Pruce dodged questions on ‘power grab’ by his predecessor Rankin!”
from 1972 when the very first Governor come here all went well suddenly a bunch of talk
What the Premiet is doing to
Our country. Is he any different ?
Spending millions on festivities while ignoring the cries of the poor people who cannot buy groceries
What the hell did I just read? Bu you know when they allowed our government to form they also gave us a democratic process so what you are saying is rubbish as they say. People like you are offended that we formulate our own laws and wish for direct rule not by the UK but by your fanciful idea of Monarchy.
If the king wants to rule let him make a decree otherwise sit back and respect the democratic process. The governors should be well aware of what their role is & not over reach.