Past Governors have been ‘playing chess’ with issues in VI – 'Heritage'
Mr Burnett was at the time a guest of the January 28, 2024, episode of Real Time show with Karia J. Christoper aired on Flow Television and available on Facebook when he was asked to assess the relationship with ex-Governor John J. Rankin, CMG and the Government of Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7).
Never got to know John J. Rankin - Heritage
According to Heritage, “To me, they had smooth times and they had rocky times. To me, like from day one the Governor [John J. Rankin] kind of came around COVID and I was kind of anti-COVID and I don't know... I never really got a chance to really get to know him,” Burnett said.
He said however, he managed to create a much better relationship with Augustus J.U. Jaspert during the Fahie administration.
“I never really get to feel out John Rankin,” he said in reference to understanding him and knowing him on a personal level while pointing to some possible communication gaps that may have prevented that.
“But you know, everybody kind of playing chess, even if you go back to brother Jasper when you were saying, hey these issues are important, look into this for we."
"He never really did, it till you know him and Mr. Fahie had them little course [disagreement],” he added, in reference to the perceived contentious relationship between former Premier Andrew A. Fahie and Mr Jaspert as played out in the public.
Carts played to benefit Governors - Mr Burnett
With a new Governor taking the seat in the person of Mr Daniel Pruce, many are looking to see how the relationship develops between him and the Dr Wheatley Administration.
“So everybody, I guess they use their cards when it's to the best of their benefit, but you know at at some point, we want to see the actions be done when it is time to benefit the people,” he added.
Already both the Governor and Premier have pledged to work with each other and to partner on the development of the VI.
The Governor added that he looks forward to discussing and understanding the many issues that matter to the people of the VI including the cost of living, tackling crime as well as building a better future for VI’s youths.
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28 Responses to “Past Governors have been ‘playing chess’ with issues in VI – 'Heritage'”
governors been in and out of this territory from 1972 thats 51 years ago just recently this foolish level of talking began
carelessly talk cause life because some of us pushing Buckingham to flex their muscles
U want to see who is Boss
I quote from my book, "For the Sake of the Children"...
"We were fortunate that Peter Penfold, a man of courage and high principles, was at that time the UK’s Governor of the territory. With the help of his aide, he ensured that we received fair treatment. It is interesting to note that after serving as Governor of the British Virgin Islands Peter Penfold was appointed High Commissioner to Sierra Leone. In Sierra Leone he was widely considered a hero for his controversial role in restoring Kabbah. While he was giving evidence to the UK inquiry, 20,000 people took part in a demonstration demanding his return to Sierra Leone, and upon his arrival he was appointed an honorary Paramount Chief."
To the best of my knowledge, the UK stopped reporting to the UN consistent with C-24 declaration. The UK has demonstrated half-hearted measures/actions in guiding the VI towards a full measure of self-governing. It seems as if it wanted to keep the VI in a dependency mode. For example, the VI constitution is a dependency model constitution, which the powers granted can be easily reversed, ie, the constitution can be easily suspended and it inserting direct rule. Incidentally, the VI constitution is currently suspended based on the recommendation of a single commissioner of a CoI and is held in reserved, hanging over the head of the VI as the Sword of Damocles.
Moreover, in 2017, the VI, along with other regional countries, was devastated by monster hurricanes Irma and Maria. The US, French, and Dutch provided grants/aid to their territories to help in rebuilding ; the UK offered the VI loan guarantee. Additionally, the UK provided the VI minimal assistance in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The UK-appointed government has unilateral power over the supposedly self-governing territory of the VI, ie, a) retained special powers, b) reserved powers, c) assent power, etc, and also chairs the Cabinet meeting. And when things go sideways, the UK-appointed governor washes his hand like Pilate, pleading ignorance and casting the blame on local government. It as if they want things to go sideways so they can make a point, moving in as the rescuer. The local government is not an innocent player in things going sideways and must also shoulder the blame.