Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in the Virgins Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HOA) Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has called for political maturity in debates within the House. Photo: VINO/File

Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had in August 2021 said the Opposition Leader had a 'history of telling untruths', specifically as it related to exchanges in the House. Photo: HoA/Youtube

Hon Penn made the calls during the 12th Sitting of the 3rd Session of the 4th House of Assembly on October 28, 2021.

Debates drives HoA - Hon Penn 

“Mr Speaker, political maturity is where we could debate issues without personalising the issues that we debate… debate is that hallmark of this institution, of the political process,” he said. 

“We all are not going to agree on the approach, there’s going to be points in time when we agree on the approach and there’s going to be points in time when we differ,” he said. 

Hon Penn said legislators then need to be mature enough not to conflate debating the substance and merit of what is being done, to it being personalised.

He said the VI society has a way of twisting and manipulating words, and in his case, he tried to be crystal clear on his position in the House of Assembly.

Maturity in debates needed - Hon Penn 

“We have to be mature enough to debate issues and debate the things that impact this house and this institution, that we all pledge to uphold, that we all pledge to enrich when we were elected by the good people of these Virgin Islands.”

“We cannot attritionary talk about institution building when it's convenient,” he went on to say.

Ironically, Hon Penn has in the past been accused of peddling misinformation over statements made by legislators in the HoA.

Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had in August 2021 said the Opposition Leader had a 'history of telling untruths', specifically as it related to exchanges in the House.