Hon Skelton joins call for apology from Hon O’Neal
Speaking at an NDP campaign rally in Baughers Bay on Friday June 5, 2015, Hon Skelton claimed that the Ninth District Representative and respected veteran legislator called the NDP members of the House of Assembly “dogs” and suggested that Hon O’Neal was being disrespectful and ungrateful.
“They called us dogs, but I am so surprised at the man who called us dogs that it took me six days to come to the conclusion that I must say something about these dogs up here,” Hon Skelton said.
According to Hon Skelton, for the full three and a half years of the Second House of Assembly it was the members of the Government side that took care of Hon O’Neal. The Minister for Health and Social Development even accused the members of the Opposition of never turning a caring eye to Hon O’Neal when in the House.
“For the last three and a half years these dogs looked after the man who called us dogs when the members of the other side never even took up a glass of water to take to this gentleman. We gave without hesitation,” Hon Skelton claimed.
Hon Vanterpool “barks” it off
Continuing with his complaining, Hon Skelton said it was their members who gave Hon O’Neal food to eat. “And he is calling us dogs. I think strongly that he should apologise to us and he should do so tonight,” Hon Skelton had said.
On the other hand, Minister for Communications and Works and Fourth District candidate Hon Mark H. Vanterpool played down Hon Skelton’s concern when he made fun of Hon Skelton’s claims by barking like a dog on the microphone.
“Ronnie earlier said that somebody called us some kind of dog! Well I like that because I tell you that the National Democratic Party team has been barking for the last three and a half years, ruff, ruff, ruff.”
The House of Assembly gone to the dogs
It was while speaking at a VIP rally in North Sound, Virgin Gorda on Monday May 25, 2015 when Hon O’Neal said the standard and the discipline of the House of Assembly have gone to the dogs. “We need to bring back [standards and discipline] because this is the House where we are passing laws and you can’t have that kind of behaviour."
However, Hon O’Neal’s comments are nothing new as others have publicly criticised the lack of decorum in the House of Assembly, even former legislator Eileene L. Parsons, a staunch supporter of the NDP.
Performing the role of host of the programme NDP Radio, which was aired on a local station on October 15, 2012, Mrs Parsons said the behaviour of certain Members in the HOA was a “burning issue” for persons in the community and that it was “deplorable”.
She also claimed that members of the community have even indicated to her that they no longer tune in to the House of Assembly sessions because of their disappointment with the way business was being conducted in the HOA.
“To me the House of Assembly has become a circus,” Mrs Parsons bluntly stated.
Noting that the “House of Assembly has gone from a being House of Assembly”, Mrs Parsons said the “behaviour is deplorable for those listening on the outside” and she also made it clear that she was saying without fear of contradiction that it “seems to some of us” that questions are not asked for information but rather aimed at “getting under one’s skin...and people are wondering what is going on in the House of Assembly...decorum has gone to the dogs,” Mrs Parsons had said.
Social commentator Donald E. deCastro described the behaviour of Members of the House of Assembly as “disgraceful”.
“I don’t think I will comment on that because the House is disgraceful,” were some of the few words from Mr deCastro when asked to give a comment on the issue in October 2012.
Members of the House of Assembly from the Government side have been criticised for showing blatant disrespect, not only for members of the Opposition but for the House itself. Many radio talk show hosts have condemned the lack of decorum in the House and most recently Territorial At Large candidate R. Dancia Penn also highlighted the troubling issue while announcing her candidacy.
See link for related stories:
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/donald-decastro-has-one-word-for-hoa-disgraceful-
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27 Responses to “Hon Skelton joins call for apology from Hon O’Neal”
in 2007 I was pushing For Ronnie to be NDP leader. I admired him so much--Now, I don`t even want him to win--how he allow C**** and that useless board to mistreat--disregard, disrespect, nurses, doctors and people of the BVI..3/4 of the people crying the fees to high and they are ignored--then have these selfish Yankees on radio trying to defend the high fees---anybody who lives in America for along time is selfish, greedy, sweet talking hustlers. that`s the American culture
Even here on the blogs you see behaviour that is typical of NDP. Name calling, derogatory comments and everything negative when the actions of their candidates are questioned. No attempts to explain or acknowledge.
Hon O'neal owes no apology. If the cap fits. Then wear it. Do Better Mr Skelton. Your Party has failed us.
Apology for all the contracts that u and the NDP give to Auttley Cra**e
Apology for all the no bid contracts U give to your nep**w in l** and ni**e DNB
Apology for all the contracts that were no bid contracts on the cruise ship dock to supporters NDP
Apology for all the stuff that company sold to the government that your bro**** sign off on then his the paper works to milk the tax payers
Apology bid in tender but company sold the government the asphalt plant and documents vanishes
Apology : here it is May the NDP rot in hell for what they did to our country
Amen
How low can you go? A drink of water and food! Shame on you! This shows your high level of hypocrisy. You need to apologise.
Struuppeess----apologize for what---Vampire is a better name especially for ****. sucking our blood with our own health care-in our own Country--He should apologize for what C**** and the board turn our health care into--I am sure Archie is telling Ronnie to fix health care the people are hurting and complaining ---but you all don`t listen to Archie,--you all treat him like a little boy--now he is a sacrificial lamb.--sorry for you Archie