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Governor has all the power in proposal by coalition gov't

- Proposal essentially recommends direct rule without suspension of constitution
Sources within the Team Unity Government headed by Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, has told our news centre that the draft proposal being discussed with the United Kingdom (UK) and Governor John J. Rankin, left, will impose direct rule without suspending the constitution. Photo: GIS/Facebook
All ports security will belong to the governor, under the proposal by the Unity Government. Photo: VINO/File
All ports security will belong to the governor, under the proposal by the Unity Government. Photo: VINO/File
It appears that elected representatives of the House of Assembly (HoA) will be under the management of the Governor with little or no separation of the three branches of Government. Photo: VINO/File
It appears that elected representatives of the House of Assembly (HoA) will be under the management of the Governor with little or no separation of the three branches of Government. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Sources within the Team Unity Government headed by Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) have told our news centre that the draft proposal being discussed with the United Kingdom (UK) and Governor John J. Rankin, CMG will see the imposition of direct rule without suspending the constitution.

Nothing in the proposal has been discussed with the public; however, Premier Wheatley recently promised public meetings starting on June 20, 2022.

In keeping with the Wheatley Administration’s policy of appeasement to the UK, on the table will be a mandatory pre-review by the Governor of any contract worth $250,000 or more, which the Government wishes to enter into before a contractual commitment is made. With this new proposal, it is unclear the role of the public tender process and the Financial Management Act, which governs public sector contracts.

In keeping with direct rule without suspending the constitution, the coalition government is to submit monthly activity reports by each Ministry and their departments to the Governor's Office for review, according to the draft proposal not yet discussed with the public.

Governor in charge?

Further, without even amending the different legislation for statutory bodies, it is proposed that there is submission of quarterly updates by all statutory boards to the Premier and Governor for review.

The all-powerful governor, following the Commission of Inquiry’s report, will enjoy mandatory consultation between the Governor and respective Ministers on Statutory Board appointments before approval by Cabinet.

What should be of great concern to residents is under the draft proposal the Governor will be empowered to dissolve Statutory Boards for violation of governance standards. It is unclear who develops the standards.

In another shocking move that is part of the Unity Government's proposal, the now all-powerful governor gets to select a proportion of Statutory Board appointments.

No business persons are allowed in the HoA?

It appears that elected representatives of the House of Assembly (HoA) will be under the management of the Governor with little or no separation of the three branches of Government. It is proposed in the draft document, according to the same senior sources from the coalition government, that the HoA amend legislation to require each member of the HoA to declare his or her interest on time.

Initial failure of an HoA member to declare his or her interest by the deadline would trigger automatic suspension for two sittings of the HoA and carry a fine of $5000.00. These penalties would continue to roll over until his or her declaration is submitted to the Registrar of Interest.

Failure of an HoA member to declare his or her interests to the Registrar of Interests a month after the deadline would require him or her to vacate his or her seat, according to the draft proposal being discussed with the governor.

Residents who wish to become HoA Members who are businessmen or women should not run for office. Proposal in the draft is to amend existing legislation to not permit/any elected Member to apply for, or be approved for, a future Government contract, including Statutory Boards, after May 2023, according to many other proposals to empower the Governor to run the country.

It is important to note that this kind of measure does not exist in the United Kingdom Parliament.

All ports security will belong to the Governor

Another shocking proposal is to transfer responsibility for security of all ports (airports and seaports) to the Governor.  Currently, governors are in charge of the police force and even that they cannot carry out in a satisfactory way, with crime on the rise.

Nevertheless, the current government is willing to surrender all security to the Governor, in keeping with their policy of appeasement.

64 Responses to “Governor has all the power in proposal by coalition gov't”

  • We shall see (05/06/2022, 18:01) Like (47) Dislike (7) Reply
    Some level of accountability and good governance needs to prevail in order to move forward.
    • bvibuzz (05/06/2022, 19:10) Like (16) Dislike (21) Reply
      What is clear is this new government knows nothing about negotiations... They have given away the bvi
      • BVI resident 79 (06/06/2022, 08:59) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
        The BVI has not been given away by this government.
        The last two governments have lost it.
        The rules are simple.
        Weed out the greed and the Bvi will be handed back.
    • Tell People!!! (06/06/2022, 09:24) Like (6) Dislike (13) Reply
      Wake Up slaves!!!! Can’t you see…a Dictatorship professed to be a Democracy? What makes us different from China? Did we vote for this man to rule over us? In 2022 how can this still be possible? Mental Slavery is alive and well in the BVI!
  • sounds good (05/06/2022, 18:09) Like (41) Dislike (13) Reply
    Britain working together with the unity government is the way to go, the right way forward, the solution to ensure accountability and needed changes happen....
    • @ sounds good (05/06/2022, 19:08) Like (14) Dislike (39) Reply
      This is putting us backwards 40 years back into slavery

      We will never go back
    • @sounds good (06/06/2022, 09:28) Like (10) Dislike (10) Reply
      They are not working with us… they have taken direct rule over us! We are not stupid! A blind man can see what is going on here!!!!! We better get in the streets and protect this crap!!!! Bunch of fools we have elected!!!!!!!!!!
  • Appeasement (05/06/2022, 18:19) Like (28) Dislike (46) Reply
    The young leader is surely being tested in the greatest of ways. Unconventional party of the VIP will be the end of this country!

    He has surrendered even before the battle commenced! What about a proud history of doing for self? How can strangers govern our people? Young leader has a defeated demeanor with no knowledge of democracy, his approach is imperial akin to slavery again!
  • Windy (05/06/2022, 18:23) Like (15) Dislike (17) Reply
    Oh my God? Are you serious?
  • vi (05/06/2022, 18:26) Like (15) Dislike (29) Reply
    Talk about selling out
  • Well Well (05/06/2022, 18:37) Like (12) Dislike (24) Reply
    Well, what is this? So is everybody working against the people of the BVI?
    Where is the PARTNERSHIP? Gosh, Man.
  • new start (05/06/2022, 18:42) Like (43) Dislike (6) Reply
    In time we will see if it was worth all the fuss, however, we need to fix how this island in general is being managed.
  • q (05/06/2022, 18:43) Like (27) Dislike (7) Reply
    That could be a good move.
    Give the Governor the responsibility and sit back and see what happen.
  • hmm (05/06/2022, 18:44) Like (16) Dislike (10) Reply
    Sounds about right. Direct rule with a window dressing government.
    • Red Dawn (05/06/2022, 21:19) Like (32) Dislike (1) Reply
      It is INDIRECT rule, and that's a good thing. The local boys and gals can still run the goverment, they just can't do it the old way.

      I wonder if they will try to break up contracts into $250k chunks. Will they turn their businesses over to someone else? Willl they try to get front men to apply for government contracts on their behalf? They think they are so smart, it will be fun watching them getting chewed out in public.

      I look forward to seeing HOA members fined or forced to vacate for fudging their interests, that would be nice.
      • Hmmmm (08/06/2022, 22:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Red Dawn, everything you called, they have to meet the Jesus Standard or suspend the constitution. Well I must give it to the UK, Brilliant, You get control given to you without an issue so any screw up, it is they, the NUGs who give it to you. When they have to amend legislation and Gov has to agree then there will never be a turning back, it will be that way for ever. This is what you get for making a retaining wall more important than modernizing the laws. Sucks.
    • Rubber Duck (06/06/2022, 10:26) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      Why do we need them? All they want is on going access to the cookie jar.
  • resident (05/06/2022, 18:54) Like (70) Dislike (11) Reply
    This article makes accountability seem like a bad thing, we have watched for years as our elected officials have wasted our money on projects that barely produce anything or pie in the sky initiatives. They have reaped what they have sown, let the u.k manage the money maybe we will get some decent roads and proper schools for a change.
    • @ resident (05/06/2022, 19:06) Like (4) Dislike (23) Reply
      How can governors who have failed and done questionable things themselves talk about accountability?
    • Joyful Child.. (05/06/2022, 20:09) Like (22) Dislike (9) Reply
      seems like finally my Father will get his belongers status after 40 plus year. Fed up of the disrespect and oppression from immigration. No criminal record, U call to enquire they will call you back. Almost ten years no call from them. Not even to say if there is an issue. Even immigration officers are encouraging us to write to the Governor because the people in control no one can talk to them they do what they want, help who they want oppress who they want...God don't sleep. I truly hope Britain take over...One immigration said that a gentleman been calling for years and wasn't getting no call back, he got fed up and went in fussing only to be told after his application was in for ten years that " His application was incomplete". Imagine, maybe that can just be spite or just to get rid of him because he was fussing...It's not good on that side....A lot of Immigration officers are upset about the bias system..they know what's going on..
      • Wilberforce (06/06/2022, 10:25) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        You have no vote , therefore for BVI politicians you dont count. Non belongers working in BVI are the nearest thing to slaves in the modern world. A national disgrace which must end.
      • @joyful child (06/06/2022, 10:36) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
        If your father was in UK he probably would have been deported by now. Check Windrush.
  • ccc (05/06/2022, 19:07) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
    WE NEED ELECTION NOW WE CAN NO LONG TRUST THIS UNITY GOVERNMENT THEY HAVE SELL US OUT
  • fish (05/06/2022, 19:12) Like (8) Dislike (16) Reply
    Look how the UK recolonized the bvi without firing one shot smdh
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (05/06/2022, 19:14) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    These tough pills to swallow, but we are much more to be blamed for these tough measures brought upon us that the UK's government, and the CoI.
    This us very sad and regretible. The cost of self pride, greed, and unrighteousness is very high. I do hope that we will greatly learn the high principles of good governance in the shortest of time possible.
    I hope that in approximately 2 years or there about that there will be no need for direct Government, but that we Will be made ready for fair adjustment made to the reality that good governance means righteous management of our finances for the good all our people best interest, not the greedy few.

    Lastly,I still have confidence in this patchup so-called Unity Government under the former VIP Cabinet. They did not informed us of any their former leader twistedness. They should have had, in my opinion became knowledgeable of at least some of slickinsss, but stayed mum to us the people their boss, and pretended all were well, and their actions was for our best interest. However, we the people are partially deserving of blame. We elected not them us.
    (Like or dislike)
  • New election (05/06/2022, 19:23) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
    New election right now..
  • Let the UK manage (05/06/2022, 19:26) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    That is the only way the people will be able to get things done the right way. Can’t you all see if the monies is spend on what it is suppose to do to benefit the people the politicians will not be able to skim monies off the top for themselves? It is all about them getting rich. Anyone sitting in office does not get rich until they leave office IE BOOK DEALS AND LECTURES, THAT IS HOW POLITICIANS GET RICH, MOT SKIMMING.
  • josiah'sbay (05/06/2022, 19:36) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    The Unity government should be appalled at the possibility of having their name attach to this kind of capitulation. To betray the people of the VI for thirty pieces of silver ( To keep a Job ) is abominable. I'm paraphrasing, If you are led by cowards you'll be subjected to all that they fear.
  • HMMM (05/06/2022, 20:02) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    Giwve the Government ah chance to present the proposal nuh man. We need to see exactly what it say. Not what vino assume.
  • deep (05/06/2022, 20:22) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    They're just trying to save their jobs at all cost. Sell us out
  • solution (05/06/2022, 20:35) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    2 years direct UK rule with suspended constitution and dissolved HOA. During the 2 years of direct rule the Guv's office must review all the laws passed by the HOA/Legislative Council since 1980 to identify all the laws or sections of laws to be repealed, also amend the constitution to remove all district reps from the HOA with an increase in the HOA to 5 independent members elected at large for an experimental 1 year term in 2025.
  • resident (05/06/2022, 20:54) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    This must be because of all the stealing and conflicts of interest revealed in the CoI and the arrest of Fahie and the director of ports for conspiracy to smuggle drugs and money laundering. Who is Government Official 1? How come our infrastructure is so terrible given the hundreds of millions of Government revenue since the 1980s? Where did it go?
  • yesss (05/06/2022, 21:00) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Keep your constitution with no power then.
  • Real Talk (05/06/2022, 22:55) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    People of the bvi there is no doubt in my mind that the u k is going to know who have all these millions hidingin the bvi, it is going to happen slowly but surely.
    • @RealTalk (06/06/2022, 11:50) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yeah it is going to happen. That is what forensic audits are for.
    • bvi guy (06/06/2022, 18:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      real talk, who ever have the millions and are legit in doing so have nothing to worry about right?
  • The Nation (05/06/2022, 23:15) Like (3) Dislike (14) Reply
    Wow! They want to take ys back before 1949. What a shame.
  • akon (05/06/2022, 23:31) Like (7) Dislike (22) Reply
    Nobody voted here for no governor. People how long y'all intend to remain blind. Hickinbottom is on their racist team. No man is perfect and especially not these racist avoiding REPARATIONS talk white thiefing people land none paying tax vampires.
  • Rubber Duck (06/06/2022, 02:30) Like (15) Dislike (7) Reply
    Still be quite a lot of kickbacks from the contracts under $250,000 . And just about all contracts would be under that using the Walwyn Wall principle of dividing them up.

    But we need constitutional reform. It must never be the case again that the Premier has such unchecked power. We need a bigger and more broadly based HOA so that the ruling cliques do not completely control it. That might mean fewer sittings and even part time members. We need a real democracy, one where adults who have lived in BVI all their lives have a say in the running of the country and are not some kind of second class citizen whose lives are run at the whim of a minority.


  • Marlo (06/06/2022, 03:43) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply

    Ain't nothing right anout this sh**

  • Really (06/06/2022, 07:34) Like (10) Dislike (14) Reply
    Why do people trust the people who sell their soul to the devil. All these government officials did the illuminati pledge to get in so why follow devil worshipers. People just get older and don't question anything. Its funny how you don't take things from strangers off the street but you take plenty vaccine from the elites and their freemason buddies who works for tge devil. Medical symbols is the serpent do you all know what a serpent is its tge devil. Think people the signs are they the videos are there but your common sense isn't. You all need to question everything
    • We need... (06/06/2022, 10:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      ...to question the sanity of idiots like you.
      • Really (06/06/2022, 17:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Question is why are you paying rent when the root of all evil is money with the one eye symbol for the devil,and it also says in God we trust wow. It's the dev God. While your not question anything keep following the rest sheeps because Klaus swab says that 276 million people will die for the beginning of 2023. You better question why WHO and WEF signed papers in the 8 days meeting which is calling for social credit system to control all dumb
  • My Goodness (06/06/2022, 07:49) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    the premier does have a defeated mentality. He is right tho. what andrew did, how can we come back form this? what plan can we put in place given what they have uncovered. however, no direct rule. assistance is ok.
    • @My Goodness (06/06/2022, 08:44) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
      I AM IN FAVOR OF DIRECT RULE. This S**T HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR WAY TO LONG. GET MAD BUT ENGLAND IS GOING TO IMPOSE DIRECT RULE. ENGLAND IS TIRED OF BABYSITTING THE BVI.
      • Sam (06/06/2022, 12:00) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        OK whity we want to be free ok
      • GOHOME (06/06/2022, 15:57) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        You know not your history. Why calling for direct rule? Let us start over. All big islanders, US and UK.people go home. Leave all Virgin Islanders, belonged and others here.
        We go independent and paddle our own canoe.
        Stop fr***ing us up, man. Ungrateful, two-toone people. Sick ah um.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (06/06/2022, 10:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Correction please:. In my previous comment on this issue I wrote that I have confidence in the unity government. What I really meant to write was that idon't have confidence in this unity government.
    However, as much as I disageed with the current Premier on many things that he did tolerated, and others that he had agreed with, I do agree with him that continuing locking horns with the UK in the political war that his former Premie, Andreiw A. Fahie lead was a bad idea. In other words, in a battle the will, the strongest of two powers wins over the weaker one.every time.
    In conclusion, mismanagement of our finances, especially by, our political leaders, and others that supported them is the main reason for our downfall, not the UK, not the CoI, not the former governor not the present one, but our own selfish decisions made, and done against our own representatives.
    However, some of our finances were misspent with good intention, and some was deliberately stolen, in mine and many others honest opinion, knowledge too.
    However, all humans do make mistake, many.
  • Anonymous (06/06/2022, 10:23) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    The Uk has no moral authority to tell the bvi anything. They are corrupt, racist and the things they imposing on the bvi does not apply to them!!!
  • asking for a friend (06/06/2022, 10:35) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    So you mean to tell me the slave master is in charge?
  • josiah'sbay (06/06/2022, 10:51) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop conflating the issues. A corrupt government does not give the UK the right to take over our governance and suspend our Constitution. If we surrender our rights to govern ourselves under the umbrella of our agreed on Constitution with the UK we will forfeit any claim for redress. These kind of issues should always be challenge because they set precedents and clarify some of the scope to self-determination. In the process of self-determination it's never a good idea to accept any back ward steps. Keep in mind that once our Constitution is suspended there goes our protections and rights too. With no power to reinstate the Constitution or remove direct rule we will be at the total mercy of the UK. Also all of the things we are against the UK implementing will be at their discretion with no way to challenge them.
  • Smh (06/06/2022, 11:06) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI lead governments have failed us miserably as a nation. You only have to look around at the state of affairs to see first hand why a complete overhaul of the system is required. There can be no partial reform. The system is broken.
    -Rampant drugs trade
    -Corruption throughout Gov
    -Boats still litter the shorelines
    -Garbage piled high across the islands
    -Raw sewage runs in streets and into the ocean
    -Broken education system
    -Broken schools
    -Unsafe roads
    -No environmental protections (mangroves, wetlands, beaches, vegetation) all being destroyed with no regard
    -Plywood, container buildings everywhere
    The list goes on and on......



  • I WOULD BE A HYPOCRITE (06/06/2022, 12:07) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    IF ALL THAT IS BEING EXPOSED BY THE COI AND ALL THOSE HIGHLY EDUCATED PEOPLE AROUND SAINT ANDREW AHEY BARE A CTING LIKE THEY KNEW NOTHING / WHERE ARE THEY LIVING ? AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY DISCOVERING RACISM AND BLOGGING EVERYTHING EXCEPT ALL THE CORRUPTION THAT THEY PLAYED A ROLE IN ????
  • Is he for real (06/06/2022, 14:08) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    How can showande be so 2 face Jesus Christ.. everything you was against for all of a sudden you giving it in a golden platter.. is he really right in his head all for what to stay as premier and collect a salary.. wowowowowo!!
  • vi (06/06/2022, 16:00) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    showande is more than 2 face he is also an kiss ass and love power, just remember freak premier god don't sleep
  • what a thing (06/06/2022, 16:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Despite what Andrew did and past politicians too, it didn't mean that all politicians or policy implemented was bad, there was some good things as well, it appears we are just ripping up everything under the pretence of direct rule. It appears to me Whitehall and #10 wrote and shove a plan down the throats of this so call unity government and they accepted.

    Past governments including VIP has messed up but the problems can be rectify differently without all this direct rule, their is a bigger agenda here interwoven with the recommendations. Now we have insulted our forefathers and quite frankly we have not grown up since 1834, it appears we don't have the ability to think and produce, we couldn't come up with any meaningful solution to rectify our problems. It appears we are happy that someone is coming up with the solutions for us, nothing never changed. Self hatred is real.
  • Mr.gage (06/06/2022, 18:12) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    All these politicians here want to still be able to do is collect a cheque.
  • Slim Jim (06/06/2022, 23:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    People, people, people...

    This is just a VINO article based on..... what????
    We haven't seen the proposal ourselves and no public meetings have been called to discuss them yet.
    Be calm, and wait to see if what is being said is actually so, and then respond.
    Dont get all worked up and emotional about this. It's a NEWS ARTICLE, not the Gospel.
    Calm down.
  • Lily Ann (07/06/2022, 08:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    All yall talking a heap of rubbish bout set back 40 years etc etc .... the bvi have not been developed since the passing of Lavity Stoutt. Tell me one thing government have developed since then ???? And I ain't talking about maintenance or refurbishing either !!!! Yall mentality is why we were here FINALLY !!!!
  • Ja rules (07/06/2022, 08:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is the best thing for the bvi all these money hungry politicians won’t be getting our hard earned money.
  • Lillian (07/06/2022, 09:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    TRUST NO ONE!! NO LOCALS GOV. RANKIN


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