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Premier Smith; No to independence!

Dr. Smith pours cold water on and contradicts his Communications and Works Minister Mark Vanterpool
September 3rd, 2012 | Tags:
Premier the Honorable Dr. D Orlando Smith (right) told the House of Assembly today Monday 3rd, September 2012 that his Government is not seeking Independence. This was in contrast to his Communications and Works Minister Honourable Mark Vanterpool who told the public in a speech at the Sunday Morning Well in Road Town last month that the Virgin Islands needs "to begin discussions locally that will lead to self-governance, rather than depending on guidance and instructions from the UK". Photo: VINO/File.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - In a blunt but straight forward answer to a question posed today, Monday 3rd, September 2012 by First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, the Virgin Islands Premier Dr. the Hounourable D. Orlando Smith said “No!” when asked whether government is seeking or would be seeking independence.

The question was asked at the first sitting of the second session of the second House of Assembly.

Hon. Mark Vanterpool’s declaration

At a ceremony at the Sunday Morning well during the August 2012 Emancipation Celebration in Road Town,  Minister for the Communications and Works and Fourth District representative Mark Vanterpool called for the Virgin Islands to begin discussions locally that will lead to self-governance, rather than depending on guidance and instructions from the UK. 

The Minister told the public that after 178 years since the declaration of the Emancipation of slavery, the Territory is still not free to determine its own destiny in this day and time of our history.

Minster Vanterpool said, "We must begin to shape our own destiny as a people just like other countries did in the past such as the United Kingdom, The United States, and many other Caribbean nations who have become rich in their own identity, self determination, pride and destiny,"

It is now clear from the Premier’s answer to Hon. Fahie’s question at today’s HOA sitting that Hon. Vanterpool was speaking for himself and not the NDP Administration.

Popular talk Show host Douglas Wheatley said on one of his radio talk shows, that the Premier was caught by surprise on Minister Vanterpool’s call and declaration regarding Independence.

 This idea of Independence from the United Kingdom seems to be unpopular among the ordinary citizens.

10 Responses to “Premier Smith; No to independence!”

  • the rock (03/09/2012, 17:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the premier is entitled to his opinion..its not up to hon .mark or anybody else to make that desicion...by the way he did not say we should do it now..he said it;s time to talk about it...bam...bam...bam!
    • port project (03/09/2012, 23:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mark will be talking by himself and with Claude for we know what they after
  • kkk (03/09/2012, 17:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    tis bout time dr. smith get some b@#$

    • jstice (03/09/2012, 23:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It was not the premier that made that statement. It was made by Hon. Mark so he should answer the question!!!
  • POLO (03/09/2012, 17:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    OK Mark Was just mad over his port project NEXT!!!
  • ty@io.com (03/09/2012, 17:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    who want any independeance under NDP swee
    • so so (03/09/2012, 22:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      same thing i does me saying not under them victimizers and dictators
    • backwards (03/09/2012, 23:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mark and Myron set us back when it comes to the consideration of Independence.....
  • Well (04/09/2012, 00:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Remember he did jump ship before.
  • cnn (04/09/2012, 17:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope the opposition now ask when Myron wanted to censor the media if he was speaking for the NDP administration???


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