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I am in no mood for a war of words - Opposition Leader

- Not keen on taking up Hon. Fahie's call for him to defend financial record
Hon. O'Neal (right) is not keen on responding to Hon. Fahie's call for him to defend his record as former Minister of Finance.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Leader of the Opposition and former Premier of the Virgin Islands Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE says he will not be taking up 1st District Representative Hon. Andrew Fahie’s recent challenge to him to defend his record as former Minister of Finance since he is in no mood for a war of words.

Speaking in the House of Assembly on March 23, 2012, Hon. Fahie called on Hon. O’Neal to defend his finance record for the period the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) was in office from 2007 to 2011 since, according to Hon. Fahie, there is an economic crisis worldwide, however, the politics of the day would have it as though it is only in the Virgin Islands there is an economic depression and that the Virgin Islands Party is to be blamed.

The VIP lost the November 2011 General Elections to the National Democratic Party (NDP).

“Now I admire the Government side, Madam Speaker, because they did an eloquent job of not punching us hard in here (HOA) but on the streets they are saying the reason we are in it is because of the VIP Government bad spending…but that is political Jargon…but the truth of the matter, Madam Speaker, is that we are in an economic downturn worldwide,” Hon. Fahie had said.

The former Minister of Education and Culture added he was waiting on his leader O’Neal to defend his finance record because “the rate that the new Government going they are going to kill him financially if he doesn’t explain something soon”.

“So I want to encourage him…because I wasn’t the Minister of Finance, I spent what they gave me, to make sure that he comes out to set his record straight because, Madam Speaker, when you analyse it you have even some of the youngest of children done pick up the message that well Fahie you all sit down there and mash up the country. And I know I didn’t mash up any country. What I was given I spent and when I had needed more I did what I had to do….”

But Hon. O’Neal, told Virgin Islands News Online that Hon. Fahie did not consult with him before making those statements and he was not keen on taking up the challenge since the truth would be revealed over time regarding his management of the Territory’s finances.

“Mr. Fahie said that without consulting me and I am in no mood for a war in words but the public will see and get a chance to compare and see the difference between the two administrations,” Hon. O’Neal said.

Meanwhile, Hon. Fahie had also said he knows Hon. O’Neal will come out to defend his record as former Minister of Finance since he is a man of integrity and that he was being extremely “cautious” in his spending of the Territory’s money.

15 Responses to “I am in no mood for a war of words - Opposition Leader”

  • Curious (05/04/2012, 09:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Andrew look like Uncle Ralph for real! Look at the resemblence.
    • back again (05/04/2012, 16:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      lawd ah mussy look way ayo gone...jah...leave me Uncle Ralph and I love my VIP...they will be back stay tune!
  • War of Words????!!! (05/04/2012, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He wouldn't come and defend himself because the proof is in the pudding. People done see that a lot of money was wasted under his administration. Of course there is an economic downturn all over the world but VIP could have done better when spending taxpayers money. To be honest, I believe that these politicians do whatever they want and don't really sit and think what is best for this country. I would have been glad to defend myself if I knew that I did everything in my power to do the best for this country.
    • ------------------------- (06/04/2012, 07:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      the NDP wasted more money in thier five months than the VIP spent in four years...check the hospital park, over 1 million in contracts to thier cronies, muss me go on? "war of words"?
  • police officer (05/04/2012, 09:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    yes Uncle Ralph good to see you alive and well...no need to get into any spin with the NDP the people will take care of them old boy!
  • LOL (05/04/2012, 11:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ralph come out and explain and stop playing them old time games. I am an NDP but I agree with Fahie on this one.
  • Well Well (05/04/2012, 11:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with Fahie on many grounds. Its Ralph's lack of consulting with his members cost him his Government so what if Fahie ain't consult with Ralph. It wouldn't have made a difference. Ralph does what he wants with no regard for the past, present or future.
  • Wait a minute (05/04/2012, 11:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This article is a little out of context. Fahie said so during the budget debate after Ralph spoke. I agree100% with Fahie because Ralph the longer he stays to the top of his party it will never rise.Ralph I don't want to hear you anyway.
  • local tourist (05/04/2012, 11:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    police officer is just another one of those who will defend igorance at any cost. Ralph is right this time, dont go there and he knows it. Leave andrew in his fantasy world of disbeleif and pipe dreams, why dont he defend all the crap he did?
  • egg face (05/04/2012, 16:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    now now now no fighting among the VIP...behave lil children
  • ok (06/04/2012, 07:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    OK Ralph what's your point? I don't think Ralph understands modern day politics. The longer you stop to set your record straight the more people will believe what they are being told. I applaud what you are trying to do Fahie but save your breathe becasue Ralph don't care nor does he like you nor does he have respect for people.
  • enough (06/04/2012, 07:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I spoke with a few VIP people & I am amazed at the foolishness some of them believe that because of Fahie they lost the elections. To those VIP persons, wake up & smell the coffee! Its Ralph's poor leadership killed the VIP and it is his refusal to accept his time is up is what will cause the permenant death of the VIP. SO Fahie leave that man alone because he ain't going to do better.
  • Quiet Storm (06/04/2012, 12:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The VIP lost the election due to a myriad of reasons. Chief among these reasons was political patronage. As a people we have been conditioned to expect that government is responsible for providing direct employment. This is not the role of government. Government role is to serve and protect. And to provide those services that the private sector has no interest in providing..i.e., roads....etc. And in the eyes of too many the VIP did not do enough to provide direct or indirect employment. Myopic but real nonetheless. Other reasons for the VIP's failure include uncompleted capital projects, infighting among members, poor leadership, lack of effective management, lack of succession planning, marginal prioritization. ineffective planning, over confidence.......etc. The VIP is still reeling from these issues. Some members were too self absorb about self interest. Instead they should have put that effort into getting things done. And this lack of effort and outcome showed at the polls. The bottom line is that it was the VIP's weakness, not the NDP's strength that propel it to victory. The VIP has to rebuild. And rehashing subjective issues may not the way to do it. Nevertheless, the VIP cannot let itself be "swift boated." The longer an issue go unchallenged the more legs it gets and it may even grow wings. The former Premier should pick the battles he wants to fight. Some battles are not worth fighting; the cost is too much relative to the benefits.
    • hugh time (06/04/2012, 17:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      one thing for sure is the people are already sick of thee NDP and most of their supporters have regretted their decision.
  • Water Gal (06/04/2012, 13:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Quite Storm is on the right path, but you left out some impotant factor. They tends to speak as if you are very uneducated, dump or plain nieve, that dont work any more. There lack of embrasing technology as a tool also was a sign of staying behind rather than moving forward. So it was no single item, but a variety of things, until they realize that, they are doom.


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