Opposition pledges to make life difficult for ruling VIP Gov't
It was during a joint press conference of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), National Democratic Party (NDP) and Progressives United (PU) held on April 27, 2023, that Members of the tri-party Opposition were asked by a reporter how they intended to hold the government accountable.
'We have the bully pulpit'- Hon Ronnie W. Skelton
Opposition Leader and PVIM Chairman Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), who is also Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), registered his intention to make the meetings of PAC public, as he pointed out that the Opposition has ‘the bully pulpit’.
“While the government can pass bills in the House of Assembly, collectively we have ‘the bully pulpit,’ so to speak, and we will allow the public to know what is happening so they can talk to their representatives; and based on that we believe we can control a lot of stuff that is in the interest of this country and make sure it happens,” he said.
Opposition to 'push' for Committee Stage of HoA to be public
Opposition Member Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) was in full agreement, adding that the Opposition also wants the Committee Stage of the House of Assembly (HoA) to be made public, as he had discussed on the political campaign trail.
“The Premier agreed with this…We want to make sure that we are fully transparent with the process so the public can see the machinations in terms of how things happen, the changes that we’re making and the decisions that we’re making that are going to impact their lives, not when it comes out in a gazette. They need to understand clearly the process. And I’m going to push and I hope I have the support of my colleagues here to push to ensure that those committee stages are made public so the public can have full transparency of the legislative process moving forward,” he said.
Hon Skelton also agreed that he will push for these proceedings to be public as well.
“I will push to have a real office of the Leader of the Opposition where people can actually understand that we’re building institutions, where we will be on the road to some internal self-governance,” he said.
'If we have to resort to filibustering we will'- Hon Fraser
Meanwhile, Opposition Member Hon Julian Fraser, RA (R3) also called for the meetings of the PAC to become public as he pledged his full support.
Hon Fraser said they will resort to filibustering if they need to, in an effort to ensure this.
Filibustering is the ‘activity or practice of obstructing progress in a legislature, especially by speaking at inordinate length.’
“We have to, for the first time, attempt to prevent the House of Assembly from being a ‘rubber stamp’ to the executives… If we have to resort to filibustering we will, and the committees of the House of Assembly has to work. They have been established but not functional, and in order to serve the public in the way it was intended by the Westminister system our committees has to work,” Hon Fraser said.
Motions of non-confidence ‘predicted’
Hon Fraser, acknowledging that the VIP administration has a slim majority, said he doesn’t think it will change the dynamics as far as votes are concerned.
“It’s going to be almost impossible for us to sway a member of the government to vote with us, but I could tell you whatever the issue is we are debating, it is going to be difficult to move forward with the kind of Opposition it will receive.”
Further, Hon Fraser said he sees at least two motions of no-confidence on the horizon.
“I don’t see any challenge coming from the Government side as far as the health of a debate is concerned, Opposition versus Government, [but] what I can predict right now is you will see not one but more than one, probably two, motions of no confidence coming before the Fifth House of Assembly. I can predict that is going to happen and the debate is going to be vigorous, embarrassing, it’s going to be everything,” Hon Fraser said.
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66 Responses to “Opposition pledges to make life difficult for ruling VIP Gov't”
Those &….ers need to be abated ASAP. That is a threat against the sitting Government and the people of the territory. You make things hard on the sitting Government you are making things hard on the people. You all setting yourselves to get some good ****** in your behinds when seen on the street
My sentiments exactly. I will never vote for those five men, because I have not seen classy in their action of governing. Silliness always. Stop it now! I want to see and hear how you will support some of their ideas. Ways and methods that are managed skills to help share ideas to make this place better. Tell us how you will support Marlon in the East will all this killing going on.
Stop saying that you predicted non- confidence in government, when it is your plans to destroy them. It is never a prediction hen you already plan it. So man I need the government to sensor all this crap going on with the opposition. Same thing you did with the election, focus on the wrong and see the results in four years. Stop it now man, stop it.
Wheeeel and come again! Have you ever met the speaker, had lunch or dinner with her or her family, come again. It’s a reason she is having the law degree and none of them have it. They know constitution, but she is very much strategically placed. Come again please.
WELL SAID!!!
our politicians back in the 60s: 70s: 80s all of them held the interest of the people and the development of our territory in their harts
They did not got up in the "legislative Council" back then with talk and looking to promote their personal agenda
Elections are finish until some other time try fix our home land and stop seeking to show-off your self just to score political points!!!!
run chat dat
doesnt give us much confidence that together the elected gicernment and the wlected opposition will get things done for us..Its no wonder Lorna jumped ship. she wants to get things done, not oppose ecerything that is place before the houae..
rediculous
There Should be Balance on Both Sides of the Fence...Legally..
Apparently the Opposition does not understand the Implications of an Order in Council...
Being His Majesty's Loyal Opposition is not Impunity to Destroy a Government and not withstanding an Appeal can be made to His Royal Highness...
It’s likely they continue this bullying attitude. I wish Mather move for the sake of getting more done for the children, and implement his ideas for growth and development on a wide scale both locally and internationally. Youth development is now recognized worldwide, and BVI have people he can work with, who are qualified.
That’s the same reason why u all COULD NOT come to an agreement to form the Government.
All the BULLIES wanted to be the PREMIER.
Don’t be Spiteful becuz u all made a FOOL of yourselves on the morning after Election trying to form the Government.
Instead try and work with the Present Government instead of coming with a vengeance. It’s not good at all.
U all show the people of the Virgin Islands what type of persons u all are.
I’m so HAPPY that NONE of U of the BULLIE PULPIT DID NOT become PREMIER. THANK GOD.