Alred C. Frett. Photo: VINO

We are now called on to bleat at the claim of UK’s imposed openness in the Financial Services of her Territories and there is now desire to enlist the little man on every street corner into attacking the UK on behalf of Local Politicians… Somehow these Leaders choose to forget that the FATCA Regulations they accepted already permit these Financial Records to be available ‘on demand’.

In addition, we have openly admitted to dealing in dirty money and the Hurricanes, along with Bad Leadership, have made us a Beggar Country dependent on handouts from the UK… We have always heard that ‘he who pays the piper calls the tune’ so it would be irrational to make political plans and promises on somebody else’s dime only to blame them when you are unable to deliver.

A few points of clarity is that these Governments may immediately comply or have up until 2020 before it will be imposed and a reason why the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are not included in this ‘Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill Amendment’ is because they fall under a different Legislative Structure than that of British Offshore Territories..

Unless our Leaders fear exposure of their own Financial conniving there is no need to create crisis where none exist and formulate a knee jerk revolution or hopeless acceptance of UK’s Demands - Instead, this may be an opportunity for introspection and meaningful dialogue with the focus on finding sustainable ways and means of ensuring the survival and progress of our People and Country.

Sometimes we should talk before we walk:

I strongly believe that UK would still prefer a brokered solution than a confrontation - It worked for me…  Some of you may still remember that during my time as Minister of Health I met a full-blown agreement between the UK and Local Politicians where the UK would only refurbish the defunct Peebles Hospital… You may recall I totally rejected that and lobbied for a New Modern Hospital.

As usual, I was told my demands were impossible for the deal had been done and I could face lawsuits… I refused to backdown, personally looked for the land to build it and we started the Project… However, in my absence, local leaders thought they could kill it so they removed and redirected the budgeted Funds and essentially stopped the Project which may have pleased UK.

Nonetheless, I never stopped fighting and you finally understood and lent your voices to the cause which forced them to continue… It was finally completed against their true desire but rather than acknowledge the facts they dragged the name ‘Peebles’ on it until they could find the pluck or excuse to put the name of some Politican or Do-nothing who had no interest in making this reality.

Please get me straight – I have no desire for the Hospital to be named after me - It belongs to the People of the Virgin Islands and I have always suggested it be called ‘The BVI Public Hospital’… I am merely using this as an example to show that UK’s decisions are not irrevocable and nothing is impossible with clear vision and People Power – Just remember; a Butter Knife has no place in a Gunfight.

Are we for it or against it?

Much of the general noise and cry for independence is by persons who often refuse to fight your fight but now call on you to sacrifice for them as they pretend to make racism their new-found excuse… Is it that hard to recognise these as the same Leaders willing to silence me in order to accept and support a colonialist mentality and way of life as being some special gift or privilege for BV-Islanders?

Think about it – Rather than enact my Local Heroes and Labour Day they would have us waste time, money and effort celebrating Colony or Territory Day without understanding that we are only an Off-Shore Colony because the UK indulged in open Racism of white supremacy and Black Inferiority… We hoped these inconvenient facts would have changed with time but still await the proof.

We need this rectification locally and internationally because the UK as a role model, has been an example and excuse for other nations – including America, Australia, Rhodesia, Israel and others who aspire to be feared as Super Powers… In their quest for dominance their first dedication is to Discrimination and Racism under the veil of Immigration, Trade and Labour.

While all living things may be territorial, humans know that point where bad behaviour becomes offensively unfair – However, Bad Leaders count on us accepting this as norm and see no reason to change if they can wear us down… Case in point – Although they acknowledge their Labour and Immigration Practices as patently wrong and unfair they demand kudos rather than make corrections.

Reaching for Heaven by destroying our Home on Earth:

The irony is that many who now belittle others in the Labour and Immigration Fiasco have Non-BVI Friends and Family - maybe even Childen and Spouses - who passed through the process but they have conveniently forgotten and unlike Joseph and Moses, they torture their own… Some make excuses that they are simply doing their jobs as if they would get fired for being kind and considerate.

Some simply consider themselves so religiously righteous that they feel justified in knowingly mistreating others because all their sins and wickedness will be forgiven and forgotton once they called on some imaginary friend for instant redemption… This use of Religion and God as their personal Sword, Shield and Eraser encourages the worst in persons who should be showing us their best.

However, failure to be accountable stewards of the People’s Funds and Affairs cannot be solved by Open-air Prayer competition to call on Jesus for help with our financial woes… This is merely a spectacle of disobedience when he avoided the trappings of money and specifically cautioned gentiles and hypocrites against public prayer - Besides, God helps those who help themselves.

I suppose saying ‘in God we trust’ provides them with cover for being unwilling or unable to pay their Landlords and Suppliers while they overpay Workers whose sole function appears to be harassment of the Public… They seem not to realise their chain of actions destroys Local Employers, Businesses and the Economy – This makes them far more dangerous than the UK.

They may try to shut me down but only you can shut me up.

PS: I will continue addressing some of your Questions & Comments on Live BVP Radio Programmes