NDP Co-Leader Hon Walwyn ‘trying to side-track with smoke & mirrors’- Skelton-Cline
Claude O. Skelton-Cline was the latest to blast the new Chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP).
In his commentary on the radio programme Honestly Speaking, on Tuesday July 24, 2018, he encouraged the public not to “allow politicians to reduce what should be meaningful discussion and debate to the current personalities and their personal preference.”
The former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority noted that the government co-leader, Mr Walwyn, “is seeking to render the HoA and the Standing Orders that governs the ‘House’ ineffective” and that Hon Walwyn’s “recommendation is misguided.”
The people’s right to know
The radio commentator warned the public on his show that, “the HoA is an institution in our maturing democracy…The HoA is the peoples’ house where the peoples’ business and the peoples’ interest is attended to.”
He said, “elected officials are elected to the HoA, not the Cabinet or any other ‘body’…the HOA is one of the limited spaces and places where the public can receive accurate information as to the affairs of the Territory.”
Skelton-Cline added that “the rationale behind the HoA being live on radio, televised and recorded is so the public can participate from various points of access giving the limited space in the gallery of the ‘House’ and the public schedule(s).”
Many residents, civil society and the media already accuse the NDP government and the Cabinet in particular, of already demonstrating their unwillingness to be timely, honest and accurate with disclosing information to their very own Back Benchers.
Mr Skelton-Cline stated “we must not then be surprised when we hear these kinds of proposals.”
NDP Government in the darkness lies & secrecy
The radio show commentator demanded that the existing Ministers and members of the ruling Government needs to go on the record publicly and state their position on their co-leader’s position.
“Are they in support of their new leader’s position,” he questioned.
The man of the cloth noted, “after all they are still the governing party and have the power and numbers to pass such a measure.”
The NDP campaigned in 2011 that they will be a government in the sunshine, however they have been hostile to the press, tell lies in the public and the HoA in answers to questions and brought Legislation to crack down on press freedom and put journalists in jail.
Skelton-Cline said on Tuesday July 24, 2018, in his commentary “this is a matter of Freedom of Information…This is a matter of Freedom of the Press which plays a critical role in a democratic society."
"This is an institutional checks and balance matter of which the HoA is central…Let us not be side-tracked with smoke and mirrors,” the man who is now a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) member noted.
_01.png)
Follow Us On
17 Responses to “NDP Co-Leader Hon Walwyn ‘trying to side-track with smoke & mirrors’- Skelton-Cline ”
I wonder how much white envelopes was slipped to you? Or maybe you’re in on the cronyism! Don’t worry when he gets what he wants out of you, you would be tossed aside just like some of those who were hell bent in siding with his antics rather than looking out for what is best for the country.
And another thing, it doesn’t matter who was used to bring forth the message, it could have came from a cattle, as long as it is truth and bring light to the question at hand it is warranted. Stop nip-picking at the little things, stop thinking about self, but think about the effects on the future generations!
i think myron trying his best and the pastor need to be in...