Premier Fahie open to talks with Opp Members wishing to join VIP
The current Opposition, headed by Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) of the National Democratic Party (NDP), consists of Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) of the Progressives Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM), Hon Julian Fraser (R3) of the Progressives United (PU) and Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) of the NDP.
Premier Fahiesaid during a press conference on January 20, 2020 at Village Cay Marina that the other Opposition Members would have to come in the manner that Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) did.
Honourable Maduro-Caines recently crossed the floor, from the National Democratic Party to the governing VIP.
‘We are willing to listen’
“If anyone who feels in their heart that they could share in the vision for the Territory and they feel that they can put away any differences and they want to sit down and talk with us, talk with me as the leader and they are coming to add value and not coming to see what they can get personally, but come in the manner that Honourable Maduro-Caines have come and say: “I want to help, I come for the Territory, it’s not an easy thing to do, but I come;” as the leader I will speak to them and speak to my colleagues and once they agree I’ll welcome them home.”
Reporters then probed the Honourable Premier on whether any other members of the Opposition were having discussions on coming to the VIP.
“I don’t know if any speaking to me, they may be speaking to others, they may not be speaking to no one at all. What I am saying is in case they want to speak once they have oneness in mind then we will be willing to listen,” Premier Fahie responded.
Meanwhile, two sitting legislators who were once with other parties are now aligned with new ones.
Honourable Turnbull, who was with the then ruling NDP, joined the PVIM led by former Health and Social Development Minister Ronnie W. Skelton and Honourable Fraser, who was once with the VIP, exited the party and formed his own party, the Progressives United in the lead up to the 2019 general election.
The two men were still able to retain their respective districts.
Hon Vanterpool, on the other hand, has also crossed the floor before.
First elected as a member of NDP in 1999, Hon Vanterpool joined the VIP in 2001 but left the party in 2007 and re-joined the NDP.
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14 Responses to “Premier Fahie open to talks with Opp Members wishing to join VIP”
A minimum of 7 seats are needed to form a government. A strong, robust and effective opposition is vital for good governing; it is healthy for the nation and democracy. Lopsided government up and down the Caribbean have been less than successful. Here at home, both NDP (2015-2019) and VIP (2007-2011) have had 11-2 majorities that were failure. In both instances in the succeeding election, VIP and NDP were shellacked at the polls. A sitting government must be constantly looking over its shoulder at the sound of footsteps behind it; a strong opposition keeps the government minding its P’s and Q’s. Nonetheless, even with a strong opposition, government can be successful if does the right things at the right time for the right reason for the right people (masses). It cannot just cater to the connected few but it must also cater to the many. The many have more votes than the connected few, if they leverage their votes effectively.