Hons Skelton & Archibald Out! Hons Penn & O’Neal in as Ministers
The announcement was made by outgoing Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), in a public statement and radio broadcast on Monday, November 19, 2018.
Devastation/Restoration
Premier Smith also announced that Honourable, Hubert O’Neal (R9), has since also been appointed Junior Minister for Tourism, the move necessitated, as a result of the firing of then Minister, Honourable Archibald C. Christian (AL).
In making the announcement, yesterday, Premier Smith, in a direct appeal to residents of the Territory said, “we have a country to continue to rebuild after last year’s devastation, including the restoration of the tourism plant, as well as at least two new properties that we hope to come on stream in the near future…Let us make the next six months count, and together put our hands and hearts to the wheel of taking our country forward.”
No Choice
Explaining his decisions, Premier Smith sought to explain saying, last week two Elected Members of the NDP – one the Junior Minister of Tourism – resigned from the Party.
“As the Government that I head is an NDP Government, I had no choice but to advise the Governor that the Junior Minister of Tourism’s position be revoked…The Governor accordingly concurred.”
According to Premier Smith, over the weekend, the press reported, ‘Skelton splitting from NDP; guv moves election deadline up to April’.
According to Premier, that press report indicated that Hon Skelton, confirmed in an interview, that he planned to head a new Party called the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), “with a mix of political newcomers and experienced Government lawmakers.”
Untenable
Dr Smith said “in the circumstances, I had no choice but to ask His Excellency the Governor, to revoke Mr Skelton’s appointment as a Minister of Government and a member of Cabinet…It was untenable for him to sit in an NDP Administration, make decisions as a member of Cabinet, and form his own party at the same time…This constituted a clear conflict of interest.”
Premier Smith used the occasion to also remind, he intends to serve his full term in Office before dissolving the House and calling General Elections.
He said “you would recall my advising you that after 20 years at the helm of the NDP, that it was not my intention to seek another term in the next General Election as the leader of the Party, but that I had every intention of serving out my term as Premier of this Territory…I formally made this announcement in June (2018) after returning from a mission trip to Asia. That position has not changed.”
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21 Responses to “Hons Skelton & Archibald Out! Hons Penn & O’Neal in as Ministers ”
If you wan Myron be the next premier thumbs down
If you want Andrew be the next premier thumbs down
And she still, want to sail on this sinking ship! And clearly they have no regards for her! I know if you’re father was here he would have never told you to settle for that!
Sorry I am definitely not voting for her again! This validates what I thought all along! You’re not a leader, beautiful person but you’re not ready for this arena! Sixth district needs strong representation and one who will move the earth if need be!
Look at it, both he and the Min of Health conveniently absent from the territory at the time when the firing and shuffling taking place.