Hon Fahie Out! Hon Skelton In! As pending new Opposition Leader
Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), confirmed VINO’s report during a press conference today, Friday, December 12, 2018, held at the studios of the Caribbean Broadcast Network (CBN), noting that the PVIM—during a meeting—formally told him of their intentions to take over the post, given their 3 seat majority in the 5 member Opposition.
PVIM writing Governor
“As we are all aware by now, the Opposition has recently increased in numbers, from two elected members to five elected members,” Hon Fahie told the press.
“The three newest Opposition Members were part of the NDP Government, but are now part of the newly formed political party [PVIM) and they now command a majority in the opposition.”
“In exercising their constitutional rights on Section 70(2)(a), on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, I was called to a meeting and informed by their new leader… [Hon Skelton] that his political group, decided to write the Governor [Augustus J. U. Jaspert] to revoke my position as Leader of the Opposition and have him, Hon Skelton, appointed as the new Leader of the Opposition,” Hon Fahie said.
The current Leader of the Opposition notes, “Section 70(2)(a) states, the Governor shall appoint as Leader of the Opposition, a member of the House of Assembly recommended by a majority of the elected members of the House, who are members of any Opposition Party whose numerical strength in the House is greater than that of any other opposition party.”
Legal Right
“It is safe to say that their actions are legal,” Mr Fahie told those gathered at the press conference.
"Being that they are within the confines of the law… when the letter to recant my appointment as Leader of the Opposition is received by the Governor, I will graciously step aside and allow the wishes of the majority of the new Opposition Members to have their desire, that is supported by law,” he said.
“As Leader of the Opposition, I never compromised my people of the Virgin Islands, I kept to the facts and made sure that you, the people of the VI, receive the facts and thereby making you knowledgeable of what was taking place in your country, that was being hidden from you by the sitting NDP government,” Hon Fahie noted.
“Many times I was the voice for the voiceless and brought hope to those who felt a sense of hopelessness,” he said.
“It was my pleasure to hold regular press conferences to update the people of the Virgin Islands on current affairs,” he told those gathered.
“The need to maintain the integrity of democracy must always be maintained,” he said, while thanking the media, Public Servants, VI public and all "who walked hand in glove”, while he served in the capacity of Opposition Leader.
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33 Responses to “Hon Fahie Out! Hon Skelton In! As pending new Opposition Leader”
The wily politician that he is, got out in front and is trying to make himself look like a statesman.
Is this the kind of “Leader” we want, one who has to get HIS way?
He can't even speak to hold a decent conversation.
I call him Hon. Dumbo! LOL
I honestly don’t know who they think they’re fooling.
That must be some special koolaid they’re drinking to think we can’t see through the corruption.
Once the two ministers of government were fired and they crossed the floor to the opposition along with another member ,they became independent members in the opposition. The PVIM cannot be represented in the HOA because it was not a political party when General Elections were held.
The leader of the political party that is elected could by its party could either be the Premier or the leader of the Opposition. Hon. Fahie was elected by the VIP congress. As such His Excellency the Governor appointed him based on submission of his party. Hon. Fraser and Hon. Skelton will no longer contend for seats in the HOA because the will both loose their seats. Merry Christmas.